Chili-Cook Off Booth!

On July 12th, Sarah and I went to Big Bear's annual Chili Cook Off to spread the word about the Career Center and our upcoming programs! We have been volunteering a lot with the Old Miners' Association, who runs the Chili Cook-Off in every year, offered us a space to set up a booth at their event. 

We brought a tent, tables, chairs, and plenty of flyers filled with information on Saturday morning, ready to go! With the help of our Career Mentor and one of the Center's students, we had it set up pretty quick. The crowds started to come for the Chili Cook-Off around ten, and with their chili samples in tow, they would look at our booth and ask us what the Career Center was. We were happy to tell them, and walk around the Cook-Off passing out flyers in turns. 

We didn't get a lot of sign-ups for our program that day, but we got plenty of people interested and were able to get the word out at a huge Big Bearian social gathering! Definitely a way to advertise the Center and what we can do for Big Bear! Hope we can do it again!

-Dezi Guillen and Sarah Avignone

Personal Care Aide Course In Big Bear!

At the Career Center of Big Bear, we are starting a Personal Care Aide course August 18th! If you want to jumpstart your career into the medical field, this is a great way to do so! We are all very excited for this class to begin. The Career Center will be hosting this course, where a teacher will come up to Big Bear three days a week for four weeks to train our students in this profession. 

Once I found out that the course was coming up to our mountain town, I worked with my Career Mentors and an online editing program called LucidPress, to make an official Career Center of Big Bear PCA Flyer. This said flyer has been passed out digitally and on paper-and we are getting amazing results! It looks like this course will be filled to the brim with students who are passionate about this course and are eager to learn. I am so glad that we are able to bring this opportunity to the community of Big Bear! 

-Sarah Avignone

Ryan Schwantner Success Story

When Ryan first started at the Career Center of Big Bear in 2012, he had a lot on his plate. His girlfriend was four months pregnant and because of this new development; many problems arose at home, he didn’t have a stable job and needed to move on towards the next chapter in his life. 

Ryan fought through the hard times and completed Customer Service, Computer Skills and Financial Freedom, along with many Life Skill projects which helped him in his future jobs and personal financial issues. He maintained great attendance and gave everything his all. He has and continues to go above and beyond  to provide a great example of himself for his child to look up to. Ryan is bettering his life, and in turn, bettering his family’s life.

Mr. Schwantner is now working four stable jobs. He works at the Bowling Barn and The Fun Plex as a Game  and Computer Mechanic, employed at Far Sight Studios as a game tester, and is also working at West Coast Amusement as a Contract and Vending Tech.  Fueled by his passion of graphic design, he is able to work in an environment he loves. His dream jobs enable him to be able to provide for his growing family, which is now a family of four. He has two sons, four stable jobs, a home to call his own, and a broadening career path. This is Ryan’s version of success.

-Dezi Guillen

Small town, big dreams, & success!

Success Story: Michelle Lopez

Michelle Lopez is a Barstow Native that has achieved great success. Lopez has been working at both Barstow Community College and Barstow High School for more than ten years. Lopez graduated from Barstow High School however she didn’t attend Barstow Community College until several years later after she met with a counselor from Barstow Community College. He encouraged her to get a degree from and transfer to Park University once she received her degree. Lopez then went off to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Psychology from Park University and a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from the University of La Verne. As soon as she obtained her Master’s she was hired by Barstow High School and then got hired by Barstow Community College when the started a summer outreach program for high school students. 

I then asked Lopez what her definition of success was and she replied, “Achieving the goals one sets for themselves and enjoying the end results. I enjoy what I do on a daily basis, which is helping students succeed and reach their goals!”

I honestly believe that Ms. Lopez’s story is a great one to share because, she pursued her dreams and was able to give back to the schools that helped her along the way. She is proof that just because you live in a small town doesn’t mean you can’t dream big and be successful.

Chautauqua High School Presentation

Earlier this month, Sarah and I went to Chautauqua Highschool to give a presentation about The Career Center and what our program could do for them. We were introduced by the principal, Doug Lane, to all of the school's students gathered in their meeting room. Doug introduced us as the next step in students futures. We then talked with them about our WIA program and the Career Center in general. A lot of the kids seemed really interested!

After our presentation was over Doug gave us their meeting room to stay during break to talk more with anyone who had any questions or wanted to sign up. We got a total of eight people who have is their contact information and set up days to meet up with Cheryl, The Career Center of Big Bear Mentor.  It was so great to see these kids find our program and what we do something that they would like to be apart of!

-Dezi

Success Story: Jesenia Velasquez

Success Story: Jesenia Velasquez

Jesenia Velasquez with her siblings, Francisco & Rosa

Working close with my colleague/friend Jesenia, I’ve come to understand what kind of person she is. She’s very kind, loyal to the ones she cares for and she's very giving. With her can do attitude and and happy go lucky spirit she earned herself an AA degree in Natural Math and Science. Her next step in life is to attain her bachelors in Neuroscience at Santa Barbara bringing her closer to her ultimate goal which is receiving her Ph.D in Neuroscience. One lesson she will take and cherish from the Career Institute is that self-presentation is key to opening doors leading to new opportunities. The one thing she loved and will miss about the Career Institute is all the new friends she made during her years as both a participant and a student ambassador of the Career Institute.

Success Story: Tim Togafau

Success Story: Tim Togafau

Tim, with members of his family after graduation.

This month I decided to make fellow Student Ambassador Tim Togafau my Student Success Story. Tim started attending Barstow Community College in Spring 2012. Throughout his time attending Barstow Community College, Tim has faced many obstacles but none of them have stopped him from receiving his Associates Degree in Psychology on Friday, May 23, 2014. When I asked Tim what his meaning of happiness is, he simply replied:  “Finding your purpose in this world and fulfilling it and when looking back on life at age 80 having no regrets but a feeling of fulfillment”. What Tim will take and cherish from the career institute is pursuing your goals with fervency and the family bond formed between the participants of the Career Institute Barstow W.I.A. group of 2012/2013. Tim was also the Student Assistant for Career Mentor Melissa Matteson. Working with Tim has truly been a wonderful experience, I wish nothing but the best for him as his future and hope’s he lives his life as he once said “Like a BOSS!” 

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

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!

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 

Glitz and Glam! Denim and Diamonds Gala!

The Career Center of Big Bear made up a crew of current and follow-up WIA students to volunteer at the Denim and Diamonds Gala on March 8th. Denim and Diamonds is one of the biggest fundraising events that Big Bear hosts! This memorable night included a fun theme (western attire and glitter anyone?), live auctions that featured some great prizes from local businesses, live music, and serving an amazing dinner for a great cause! All of the money they raise goes to supporting educational programs serving the Big Bear School District.

With our cowboy hats on, we worked through the evening, and we saw just how much work goes into putting together a large event like this one. Our crew was split up to go to the areas that they needed help most, and I think we all learned a lot about customer service and working in a fast-paced environment. It was great to be able to help out such a spectacular cause! I hope that the Career Center has a chance to help out again next year!

-Sarah Avignone and Dezi Guillen

Defining Success

Dakota Cazares has always dreamt of dedicating his life towards saving the lives of others. He is a twenty year old soon-to-be-college student, living on his own in Orange, California. Dakota recently moved from small town Big Bear to big city Orange, and he is adjusting to living on his own and to finding his own way to follow his dream of joining the medical field. He is going back to school to become a Vocational Nurse starting this next fall semester at a local community college, and is currently working at Carls’ Jr. Dakota is saving up for the courses while paying for his living expenses.

The drive to help others runs in his blood, he comes from a long family line of nurses, EMTS, and fire fighters. Through the Career Center’s programs, Dakota was able to take an EMT course and solidify his decision that the medical field was for him.  The Career Center helped him further his career path and pushed him to keep going when the going got tough.  He feels confident and prepared to go towards his personal goals and for whatever comes next.

Hello All!

This post it to inform you guys of some exciting news! The Career Institute in Barstow has recently been interviewed by the Daily Press so, we should be featured in our local paper soon! 

Sheriff Explorers Outreach

Sarah and I went to the Big Bear Lake Sheriff’s Department to talk with the Sheriff Explorers about the Career Center and what we offer on March 26th. Some of the topics we shared include the Million Dollar Moment, a summary of the programs we offer and what we do, and the positives to continuing your education. The Explorers seemed really interested in the Center and especially interested in the Work Experience opportunity. Being in the Sheriff Explorers’ Program, they already are certified to go on Ride-Alongs and get first-hand experience on how this job works, but with the Work Experience they may have a chance to get paid for it! It was great to learn more about their program, and be able to talk about ours.

-Dezi Guillen and Sarah Avignone 

High Desert Road Trip!

The Career Center of Big Bear gathered up a crew and took a road trip to the High Desert’s America’s Job Center! Living in a small mountain town like Big Bear, opportunities to further your education are slim, and hearing about America’s Job Centers gave us Big Bearians hope!  America’s Job Centers are WIA funded programs for adults, helping them receive advice and job training to ultimately find their perfect job. We had about twenty people attending-WIA and Non-WIA Students- who were very excited to find out more about this program. Only an hour away, this center provides financial aid to pay for a certificate program of your choice. Most of the crew had great first impressions and can’t wait to get started! The crew will be taking training in careers such as EMT, CNA, Aircraft Mechanic, etc. America’s Job Centers is a great opportunity to lead us to success!

-Dezi Guillen and Sarah Avignone

Courage Doesn't Always Roar

An amazing quote by Mary Anne Radmacher!

-Dezi Guillen

Never Give Up

A quote to live by!

-Dezi Guillen and Sarah Avignone

Old Miners' Volunteer Crew!

In the small town of Big Bear Lake, we have a couple of traditions we keep each year. One tradition that has been around forever is Old Miners' Days. Old Miners' Days is a month filled with celebration and cheer! Some of the events held are: Miss Clementine & Lucky Baldwin Pageant, Old Miners Days Festival, Chili Cook-off, Bluegrass Festival, and an Outhouse Race! You read that right. An outhouse race. 

Sally Sherlock, the Director of Communications for the Old Miners' Association, came to the Career Center looking for some volunteers. These events they are having need a lot of extra help, and we at the Career Center were more than happy  to volunteer! After setting up a Volunteer Crew made up of past and present WIA students, we got to work! We have already helped with creating memorabilia sets for their museum, setting up their new office space, making flyers and other signage, and assisting at recent events.

It has been a memorable time so far, and we can't wait to see what's next on the Old Miners' Event Calendar! 

-Dezi Guillen and Sarah Avignone