Bertha Barraza
Professor / Counselor
Mt San Jacinto College
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
I needed to learn to speak English but I didn’t have a high school diploma. Everyone said “You can’t go to college”.
I learned that my community college had a daycare center and I enrolled my daughter so I can attend classes
College was challenging and complicated -I began to ask questions regarding student support services.
I met with college counselors and applied for scholarships to work less hours and to attend college full-time
In my third year in college I joined the Puente Program, where I was assigned a mentor who was a social worker and who inspired me to become one
Despite of all the pressure and negativity I experienced I made it my goal to stay in community college and while it took me seven years to transfer to a four-year college I did it.
While in College my car was stolen I figured that if I left the house at 6 AM -walk for an hour And take 3 buses I can get to school - that experience made me stronger!
While completing the masters in social work I drove 86 miles to my part-time job and 86 miles the apposite direction to school- while taking 12 units and doing an internship of 20 hours per week.
Education
Some High School
None
None
Certification/License
AA
Riverside City College
AA
Riverside City College
Career
Professor / Counselor
Assist and guide college students from day one. I also teach personal and career exploration classes.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Non-Profit Organizations
Teaching / Mentoring
Day to Day
Check emails, stay updated with local, state, and federal regulations. Attend meetings, participate and collaborate in various projects. Participate in community events and committees. Meet with students on a one-on-one basis for counseling. Prepare student educational plans, evaluate transcripts and communicate with various departments. Prepare lectures, exams and projects for students, grade work and provide feedback for students: make referrals. Learn how to use various databases.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Do an internship or volunteer- counseling and teaching at a community college is not for everyone
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Certification/License
AA
AA
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"I didn’t belong in college because I didn’t speak English and I am a high school dropout "
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation Immigrant
First-Generation College Student
Interviewed By
