Alumni Accomplishments
Lillian Corona
Santa Ana High School – Class of 2006
Undergraduate: University of California, Riverside, BA in Psychology
Education Plans: Working on masters at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program.
Employment: Think Together and Club Z! Tutoring Service
“Career Beginnings helped me decide on a college and set me up with my first campus visit. My mentor was Stav and she made a great impact on my career choice. At first I was unsure I could get into a UC, but after she took me to the campus, I knew it was for me. Unfortunately I lost contact with her but I know that if it wasn’t for her help, I would have probably ended up at a JC (junior college)."
Clarivel Vega
Valley High School – Class of 2006
Education Plans: Attending California State University Long Beach
Employment: Bank Teller at Wells Fargo
“Career Beginnings helped me enhance my professional skills and it initiated a successful start to my career. I learned skills that I have yet to learn in a college course, which gives me an upper hand with other students.”
Cristina Venegas
Saddleback High School – Class of 2006
Undergraduate: Chapman University, BA in Liberal Studies, emphasis in Mathematics, a minor in Sociology – Class of 2010
Education Plans: Finishing teaching credential at Chapman University.
Employment: File Clerk at a law firm, Palmieri, Tyler, Wiener, Wilhelm & Waldron, LLP, substitute teacher for SAUSD and Tutor for high school (math and Spanish) and elementary school students (reading, English and math).
“Career Beginnings was a window of opportunity that allowed me to see the wonderful possibilities in life. It allowed me to interact with professionals and learn about the different fields of work. Above all it encouraged me to seek a higher education.”
Cassandra Zendejas
Valley High School – Class of 2006
Education Plans: Enrolled at OCC, planning to transfer to California State University Fullerton.
Employment: Office Clerk and IT Support Tech at a Litigation law firm in Costa Mesa.
“Career Beginnings has helped me tremendously; with all the experienced gained I don’t think I’d be where I am today without the help of this program. I learned everything from writing resumes to preparing for potential job interviews, I am eternally grateful for all the support from this program!”
Edgar Uriel Hernandez
Valley High School – Class of 2008
Education Plans: Senior at the University of California, Irvine, finishing my major in Psychology and Social Behavior, working to earn minor in Accounting.
Employment: Senior Teller and Sales Service Specialist at Bank of America.
“Career Beginnings is a program that honed my skills. Career Beginnings is an extraordinary program that not only provided me with resources, but also motivated me to pursue an education. Mr. Jon Anderson and the rest of the staff were always supportive and sincere to me."
Ana Aguilar
Santa Ana High School – Class of 2009
Education Plans: Denison University in Granville, Ohio
Junior and plans to graduate in May 2013.
“Through Career Beginnings, I learned skills that helped me improve my resume and be prepared for interviews. Basically, Career Beginnings really taught me a lot of life skills.”
Edwin Meza
Santa Ana High School – Class of 2009
College: Attending Boston College in Massachusetts
Education Plans: Studying abroad in Madrid, Spain next summer.
“Career Beginnings proved most helpful to me because it was a strong source of support. Having a mentor share their experiences and wisdom about a range of topics, not limited to simply academics, opened my mind to the endless opportunities that were available.”
Jennifer Botilla
Century High School – Class of 2010
College: Attending University of California, Irvine
“Career beginnings helped me alot in deciding what university was best for me. I feel the program should continue this year to help more students.”
Marija Salgado
Saddleback High School – Class of 2010
Undergraduate: Orange Coast College
Education Plans: Transfer to Santa Ana College to attend Paralegal program
Employment: Project Clerk at Newmeyer & Dillion, LLP
“While I was in high school Career Beginnings helped me stay on track. There were many distractions occurring during those years. I was able to find information and receive assistance when I needed help to prepare for college.”
Rachel Salinas
Segerstrom High School - Class of 2010
Education Plans: UC Berkeley, BA in Social Welfare, minor in Disability Studies - Class of 2014
Employment: Technical Sourcer at Facebook
“Career Beginnings was very helpful in guiding me through the college process in my senior year of high school. It was a great resource, and I gained a wonderful mentor that I still keep in touch with to this day.”
Marlene Alcaraz
Valley High School – Class of 2016
Education Plans: Attended Santa Ana College, in the process of transferring to California State University, Fullerton.
Employment: City of Santa Ana Employee
“Career Beginnings gave me the expectations I needed to know before entering college.”
Esmeralda Juarez
Godinez Fundamental High School – Class of 2018
Education Plans: Attending UCI
“From this [Career Beginnings] I was able to keep track of the financial aid and the requirements. I was also helped with financial advice for my own finances.”