“YVC gave me a career. It is something that I love to do, and it educated me in so many ways that I just did not expect.”

Hometown 
Los Angeles and Yakima  

Major 
Information Technology 

How did you decide on a major? 
I wanted to go back to school but I didn't know what I wanted to do. I met with an advisor and he talked to me about what my interests were. From there I took a night [information technology] class and loved it. So, I went for my associate degree and after completing that he encouraged me to get my bachelor's degree as well.  

What do you like or find most interesting about your major? 
I like all aspects of technology and how much there is to learn. It’s never boring.  

Are you a first-generation college student? If so, what does earning your college degree/certificate mean to you? 
Yes. It meant a lot. I became a single mom at the age of 18, so it took me a while to go to school and get a degree. My whole family was supportive and very proud of me, and I am just glad that I was able to do it. So, it really means a lot.  

Did you know what academic pathway you wanted to pursue when you started at YVC?  
At first, I was placed in the exploratory pathway. It kind of worked out that COVID hit when New Student Orientation (NSO) was going to be. Rather than attending NSO with a group of other students, I received a phone call [from my advisor] and it was more of a one-on-one conversation. He was able to [help me] explore more of my interests and what I was interested in studying.  

What made you interested in studying at YVC? 
The easy access. YVC is close by, and you don't have to travel that much. Being a single mom and having most of my family in California this was easier for me to do it in town. 

Extracurriculars (e.g., clubs, YVC sports teams) 
Student Government, Climate & Environment Club 

What’s your favorite class?  
My favorite class was Windows PowerShell Scripting with instructor David Dalton. Some people might disagree with me, but I liked it because you learn so much from it and there is so much you can do in PowerShell.  

Who is your mentor on campus?  
I would say David Dalton [Information Technology Instructor]. I went to him for everything, and he was also helpful in answering my questions. Even when I was interviewing for my job during finals week, I went to him and he was able to give me his honest opinion on the position and my future, which really helped. 

Were there any barriers you overcame to be successful at YVC?  
Yes, having a full-time job and attending classes at the same time. I'm glad that COVID hit when I was starting school. That gave me a full year of online learning. Sometimes I would stay up until like the 1 or 2 a.m. doing homework, and then I had to wake up the next day and go to my full-time job that started at 8 a.m. 

How has Yakima Valley College changed you? 
It gave me a career. It is something that I love to do, and it educated me in so many ways that I just did not expect. 

Are there any support services or resources that you have taken advantage of?  
I was part of TRIO Student Support Services. I was able to get tutoring and counseling as I needed it, which was nice. They also helped with school supplies. 

How do you find a sense of belonging at YVC? 
I took an American Sign Language class and they had a club that would meet. I made several friends that way. We’d often meet up to practice our language skills. I also did work study in YVC’s Workforce Education Division. 

What are your educational or career goals after YVC?  
I plan on moving up into a management role, which my bachelor's degree will allow me to do. I’ll probably go for my master's degree at some point, but for now I’d like to gain more experience in my field.