Viridiana's Take on Success

Raised in Big Bear Lake, California, Viridiana Salinas has proven that you can stay in your hometown and continue to be successful. She is twenty two years old, currently attending college, working two jobs, and starting up her own business.She is a determined individual and plans to achieve every single goal she sets her mind to. One of these goals that she is achieving already is paying for college on her own. Viridiana is working towards an Associate's Degree in Business Administration, and plans to continue towards her Bachelor's.Viri likes going to the community college courses offered at the high school in Big Bear and she feels very lucky that they are available. She works as a server part-time at a well known restaurant called Jasper's Smokehouse, and is an Office Aide for the Career Center of Big Bear. Working both jobs is time-consuming, but she wouldn't trade the memories she's made with her co-workers, and the customers and students she's been able to help for anything in the world. With excellent customer service and organizational skills, she handles both of these jobs with ease. As an Office Aide of the Career Center, and an assistant to our NUA Teacher Colin Schour, she helps with the enrollment process of each student, as well as keeping up with all the documents that need to be turned to in for each student each month and end of semester.Along with all that, she is also now officially a business owner! She just obtained her license to Melody's Cleaning Service! Viri feels confident that her business will shine in Big Bear. This is her beginning chapter into the business world, and she hopes one day to own a second business in the food or sales industry. An adventurous and tenacious entrepreneur making her mark in Big Bear, Viridiana is a definition of success.

Leadership Connection is Right Around the Corner..

The Thursdays of the month of April were slated to be our Leadership Connection Planning Meetings. Dezi and I, along with our Career Mentor,Cheryl, had been meeting with the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce to discuss and plan out our May Leadership Connection. We had been figuring out who our speakers will be, where we will be touring, and what aspects of small town careers we want to focus on. At our last meeting, with Teresa attending, we had finally come up with a complete schedule! Our Leadership Connection this year will start off with a Boat Tour and Lunch on the Lake! We will get a tour of the lake and some good food to go with it! Then, off to the Fire Department we go for our next Leadership Connection meet-up, where we get to see the inner workings of the Department and what working with them is like. Our third stop will be the Radio Station, where we will learn all about what it takes to sell, promote, and work with music. Last but not least, we will be having our tour at the Big Bear Hospital and hosting our Completion Dinner. I am so excited to see the final result of all of our planning! I believe that our WIA Students this year are going to have a blast! I cannot thank the local businesses and Big Bearians enough for their kindness and willingness to help us help our youth! I look forward to seeing the local leaders inspire the future ones! More posts about this coming soon! 

-Sarah Avignone and Dezi Guillen

Student Outreach

Career Institute Barstow teamed up with Barstow Community College to reach out to the high school students of Barstow high Baker high and Silver Valley.  A total of 300 high school students attended the event which is a great turn out. 

Leaders: The Whip or the Carrot?

           

(From left to right, Jennifer Martinez, Denise Cummins, Jana Shearer)  

It’s true what Maya Angelou said, people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. On April 11, 2014, Loma Linda University (LLU) Medical Center hosted a tour of their facility’s third floor. The Leadership Connection program from the Apple Valley and Rancho Cucamonga offices teamed up and enjoyed presentations from a variety of health care professionals from the LLU Medical Center.

             Denise Cummins, a supervisor/nurse practitioner told us her story and how she became the nurse she is today. She became a nurse out of necessity; she just needed a job. She told us, “I never wanted to be a nurse… [but] I fell in love with it along the way.” However, she didn’t fall in love with it immediately. She’s been working as a nurse for more than 15 years, but she told a story from when she first started; a story from when she’d been working for less than a year. It still brought tears to her eyes. (And to the eyes of many of the students in her audience).

When she first started, she was not the best nurse. She was doing the best she could in a job she never wanted. One day, she was in the break room, talking with her coworkers and making jokes. She heard a nurse at one of the tables behind her make a comment about ‘the new, useless nurse’, and Denise knew that she was talking about her. She was stricken. She was ready to give up. But she didn’t. Instead, she strived to become better. She sought out more training. More certifications. She told us “I thought, well maybe if I was good [in one area] I would be better”. 

            And all this, she still remembers more than a decade later. The emotions from that day remain burned into her memory. Who is a leader? At some point in our lives, all of us, whether we lead a Girl Scout troop or an army. The nurse in the break room was a leader and there are many ways to lead people. Much of it boils down to, do you wish to lead with a whip or a carrot? Some leaders choose to lead people by their hair or the scruff of their neck. Some leaders choose to lead people by the hand. 

           Today, I challenge you to be a different kind of leader. Lead with a vision. And choose to lead people by showing them who they could be, not tearing them down for who they are not. 

Student Success Story: Stephanie Saiz

    Stephanie Saiz

Stephanie Saiz

Stephanie Saiz was born and raised in Barstow, California. She was in band for most of her life playing the flute and the piccolo. Stephanie is currently attending Barstow Community College perusing a degree in Social Science and hopes to find a career in helping others. Stephanie is also Career Mentor Melissa Matteson’s Student Assistant and current participate in the WIA program in Barstow. I asked Stephanie what her definition of success was, she stated that she believed that the true meaning of success for her was to “be happy and make others happy”. I also asked her if she felt that she has reached happiness in which to she replied “I think I’m close, but not quite there”. Stephanie is extremely grateful for being able to be a part of the Career Institute because it’s helping her prepare the youth in the community how to be responsible and confident by helping them with resumes, work experience and find a job. 

A Helping Hand

This month success story is on David Macias, a graduate from the Career Institute's Financial Freedom  program and is current student of Citrus College. Like many students after high school, David was unsure what career path he envisioned in his future and has worked from sales in retail stores to a greeter in restaurants.With the help of the Career Institute, he was able to take on a different path in his field by achieving a certificate in Personal Care Aid.Upon receiving the experience of a personal care assistant, David was able to join the Right at Home assistant living team where he is now in charge of providing Seniors with a secure living space and assisting them maintain a healthy lifestyle.David states that this opportunity has assured him that the medical field is the right track for him and that the reward for helping out those in need of a hand is priceless.His future goals consist of transferring to Loma Linda University for his bachelors in Medicine and also pursue his certified nursing certificate.

Success Story Julie Aldaraca

Julie feels she is in a great place compared to three years ago because of the personal and social changes in her life. She sets goals with herself and try’s to stick with them. One goal being to set herself up with school which has already been a life changer for her. She sees herself progressively making positive changes and seeing benefits daily. Her biggest accomplishments have been situating her future goals and knowing what she has to work for to accomplish her goal of becoming a physical therapist. She has also accomplished staying focus, balancing her social life, maintaining a steady job, and being a responsible independent young adult. She is currently putting all her energies towards her education and staying positive; always looking forward to her successful future. The Career Institute helped her in ways to accomplish time management, organization skills, communication skills, and financial education. While her journey with the Career Institute, she “received excellent support from the staff and still ongoing support when I need it. The staff is very helpful and resourceful. I find them to be very efficient I'm very grateful to be part of the program.” Julie has become a hardworking young adult that has a path and successful future ahead of her.

“I want to really express how much the Leadership program, through the Career Institute has helped me to understand my future in a broader view, it has given me new knowledge of the workforce. It has increased my networking abilities, and has offered a new perspective on future employment directions, and seeing what it takes to be competitive in a changing workforce.”- Julie aldaraca

-Georgia Burckel

gburckel@cinow.com

Front page!

Earlier this month we were contacted by Anneli Fogt from Daily Press, who was very interested in learning more about our organization. Ms. Fogt interviewed current WIA student Iolani Elisara, Career Mentor Melissa Matteson & myself about all the wonderful things the Career Institute does for the youth in the community. We all honestly thought we would just get a little section in the paper but we soon found out that we were featured on the front page!!

We would all like to give a huge shout out and thank you to Ms. Fogt from the DailyPress for her interest in our organization and for helping our name be seen and spread out to those who are unaware of us and the things we do for the youth!

Investors In Success

David Macias

Audrey Chism

Frances Ochoa

Julissa Aldaraca

Christopher Faulkner

In case you missed it, here are our Five Success Institute Recipients! Tuesday, April 22nd was a special day for this individuals as the Success Institute presented its 2nd Annual Scholarship Dinner.The evening was filled with excitement as the String Trio violinists performed while we had a silent auction and raffle take place.The patisserie parade was defiantly a crowd favorite as we had our sponsors and fellow families bid on delicious pastries to whom would bid the highest would win that dessert for their table.A special congrats to our fellow Career Institute student ambassador Audrey Chism for being amongst one of the five scholarship recipients, and fellow CI mentor Terry Stedman for making the Hospitality program a huge success.Also, A huge thanks to the ladies of both Career Institute and Success Institute for making this event a memorable night for everyone.

Happiness Is April.

     April is the month when flowers bud, the sun covers the sky with warmth and radiance, and the children are filled with energy. Look around and you'll see trees shaking with joy when every breeze of refreshing wind blows right on by, and birds whistling peaceful tunes. April is the month every High School Senior student appreciates the most because they know that soon the time will come when they must attend their favorite class for the last time, receive their report cards for the last time, hear the voices of their admirable teachers for the last time, converse with their caring friends and classmates... for the last time. Seniors in particular understand that High School is just a phase everyone must undertake before transitioning from a young adolescent to a young adult. It's a hard transition, but life goes on.
     Before I continue on about life as a High School student, I must add exactly why I'm typing this. On April 21 Ms. Jana and I were presenting our speech for the Career Institute to the students of Ontario High. Other than almost getting lost among the young crowd of high school students, we couldn't help but notice how the students we kept passing by were mostly smiling and cheerful. April brings the life out of us, in a good way. The students this time around, in my honest opinion, are more energetic than usual. It seems that even though our presentation went well, there's more to learn than what meets the eye... Life is happiness, life is love!

Gardening with The Community!

On Monday, Sarah and I went over to the Big Bear Community Garden to reach out to them about our program and what we can offer them. We talked a lot about our WIA Program, and how we are trying to generate as many opportunities for the youth in our community as possible. As Ambassadors, we also wanted to make it clear that while The Career Center is here to help out our young adults of Big Bear, we are also here to help the businesses and organizations of Big Bear. We want our small town to thrive and be successful, and if our students can help in this town's succession, we want to do just that. After sharing our individual stories of how this program helped us, we answered their questions about our Work Experience part of the program and how it all works.

Afterward, Dave, one of the employees of the Community Garden, explained to us what they are trying to do for Big Bear and its inhabitants. Dave told us that they are wanting to grow more vegetables and fruits for the food banks and schools, so that our community can have fresh grown food. Their garden is completely organic and mindful of the environment, they are wanting to make a difference. We, The Career Center, are helping young adults build strong foundations for their futures, while the Community Garden is providing healthy foods to the less fortunate and to Big Bear's youth. It is amazing to be able to talk and work with another organization so geared towards helping others.

-Dezi Guillen and Sarah Avignone

Breanna LaVoire Success Story

          

Breanna LaVoire is now successful by having a full-time job as a house cleaner. She starts school for Cosmetology in June where she will be attending part time. Breanna and her boyfriend have their own apartment in Huntington Beach, CA. While attending the Career institute she learned a lot about customer service, and retail sales. She got to do a total of 150 hours of work experience split between Chautauqua High school & The Nutmeg Hair Salon. She has received a lot of work experience with office work as she was offered to be the Executive Assistant at the Career Center of Big Bear for a year and a half. Breanna also got over her fear of being too shy to talk to new people or in front of people. The Career Institute helped her obtain her first car. All of the money she had saved from doing the work experience got her to her goal of owning a car. The Career Institute has helped her get experience to get other jobs, and they have helped her become more knowledgeable with customer service. With the Career Institute’s guidance, Breanna LaVoire is on her way to achieving her dreams. 

-Dezi Guillen 

Earlier this month,the Career Institute revisited Montclair High School to participate in its first ever Career Fair.Many local colleges and governement  employers attended this event to expose graduating seniors as well as underclassmen the opportunities of various career paths after high school.The Career Institute however, did not just offer that, yet a plethora of programs that would spark interests to many.Our booth consisted of Hospitality,Nursing, and Automotives, all of which animated the seniors to enroll.Terry Stedman (Hospitality) had the great idea of requiring us to show up dressed as our future careers,this triggered curiosity amongst the students.Participating in this event as a Career Institute Ambassador was  extremely rewarding knowing I took part in their million dollar moment.

Take Advantage of Opportunities!

Career Institute attended a job fair on the campus of Victor Valley College on April 24th. As a student ambassador, I helped try to explain what CI has to offer to interested parties, but unfortunately I had to leave early. I attended my normal routine going to class that afternoon, wearing my Career Institute polo shirt. My professor noticed and was kind enough to allow me to present our resourceful program to my fellow class mates, and even pass out a few flyers.

To my fellow ambassadors, don't let these opportunities pass you by, even if you're extremely nervous and don't want to stand in front of a crowd. Nothing feels more rewarding knowing that people are generous enough to take time out of their schedule to help you.

Rancho Cucamonga Hospitality Students Ambassadors met Friday night at a local coffee shop to go over last minute scholarship event things for this coming Tuesday! From the scheduling of the night to our previous scholarship participant speeches. Daniel and I (along with many more Career Institute employees) put a lot of time and effort into this event to have Career Institute, Success Institute, family and friends come together to recognize 5 more scholarship participants as they climb up the latter of success. We are just 2 days away!

-Georgia Burckel, Student Ambassador

gburckel@cinow.org

Satisfaction in Life.

     Things are not so contradicting anymore, not since the tour I took at Sunlit Gardens. What really made me stop and reflect on my ideals was the next tour I participated in with Ms. Jana and other fellow peers at Loma Linda Medical Hospital on April 11th. Everything was stellar including the guest speakers that displayed their profound feelings for the role they play in the medical hospital. It's not a controversial fact that every single worker there has a deep passion for what they do. Mr. Jason, one of the guest speakers, in particular really made an impact in his speech for the fact that he combined humor and seriousness to convey the strictness of applying to any type of job that is very demanding such as those in the Healthcare field... Whatever you're career choice may be, whether it is to become an elementary school teacher or even becoming a full-time Medical Doctor, just know that with passion comes satisfaction.... Have a legendary day guys, and take care!
     -Yours Truly,

          Gilbert Velazquez, Student Ambassador.

Faith Restored.

     My thoughts about growing old never changes. Eventually I will grow elderly, senile maybe. My face won't be the same as yesterday, and there's no one to blame but time. Time threw me in this vulgar prison of the present. There's no running away from the discomforting idea of the possibility of living in a nursing home to slowly wither away, but ever since I took a tour at Sunlit Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga my faith is slowly returning. The facility was just so... clean and comforting. There was plenty of space for any one resident to have, and the view of the lush mountains was spectacular! The employees there really take the time to interact with the families and the attention towards the details of the residents' homes were spot on. Now that I know such a place exists, I believe I can grow at ease without having the fear of being alone during my final days...To longevity!
     -Sincerely,
          Gilbert Velazquez, Student Ambassador

Apple Valley Leadership is Underway!

Leadership Connection in the High Desert began its first event at the conference center in the Town of Apple Valley. We kicked off the event with mentees giving speeches on a chosen famous leader.  Numerous topics were discussed on being a good leader including good morals, team work, and earning your respect.

 Guest speakers included:

Mayor of Apple Valley, Art Bishop



Fire Chief Sid Hultquist



Deputy Town Engineer Richard Pedersen



Police Chief, Captain Lana Tomlin

Leadership Connection's Mentees will be attending a tour in Loma Linda on April 11th.

The Things that Matter Most.

     There are many things occurring this month. Spring is finally here with the Sun softly coating the Californian state, and families are starting to be active once again. The youth are getting restless as summer is creeping up slowly... Last week, Ms. Jana and I went to Upland High School to visit one of the Health Career classes in which students are enrolled to learn of health related professions such as the vital role of Registered Nurses, Paramedics, Medical Assistants, etc. Everything is splendid when it comes to Health Careers as there are many opportunities to take, MANY careers to progress towards. I am very pleased to educate my fellow youth because young people are what makes the future stellar, we are what the future wants, we are what the future needs!... The old will surely be replaced with the new, and the viscous cycle shall continue. However, only with time shall we entrust our crowns to the future kings and queens because that's what the youth are! And so "one day, hopefully the future will be our present..."

 

     -Yours truly,

          Gilbert Velazquez, Student Ambassador

Eventful day, successful future!

Rancho Cucamonga Hospitality and Management team met on Friday, April 4th to discuss our future events! We finalized our scholarship event coming up on April 22nd. Also, now that our leadership connection of 2014 is finished, we are now planning recruitment events for our summer and fall class of 2014.  Along with this eventful day, Daniel and I drove up to Big Bear to capture the success of our GED graduate students! A banner is sooner to come with the success of these students..
Eventful day, and a successful future! Great things are happening and coming to the youth in our community.

-Georgia Burckel
gburckel@cinow.com

Success Is The Secret Ingredient

This month success story is on Tresor Chris, a recent graduate of the Hospitality Program and former employee of the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center.Tresor discovered the Career Institute by the referral of a secretary at her local hospital who introduced her to the benefits and opportunities working at a hotel through the program.As a recent graduate of Los Osos High School,Tresor had her eye on the Hotel Industy from the start and is currently a Junior at Chaffey College studying Hospitality management.Both Executive Chef David Teig and Sous Chef Vinny have commented that Tresor is a diligent assistant chef and admire her passion in the kitchen.Her future goals consist of pursuing her bachelor degree in Hospitality Management and to pursue a higher level in Food and Beverage or Operations within Starwood Hotels.

Sycamore Inn

Last week the Rancho Cucamonga Hospitality Leadership program ended with a memorable tour and dinner at the Sycamore Inn. Unlike most upscale steakhouses and bars, the Sycamore Inn provides it guest with an experience that you sends you back in time to the prohibition era and of course fantastic food!We had the honor to be toured around by the very own Executive Chef Louis Alvarez who knew the history of the building very well and shared with us all the stories of previous celebrities who stayed at his property.The Sycamore Inn truly lives up to it high ratings and incredible service,not to mention all the food is prepared fresh daily with local ingredients.All of our students who took part in this leadership program were extremely thankful for the opportunities and now having a clear idea of what their next step to success is.