Student Success Stories
Rocio Galdamez
Child Development Graduate
Like many of our students, Rocio Galdamez has utilized the educational and career resources at MWEPC throughout her life. She began taking basic reading classes in 1996 and continued with vocational ESL courses. After completing these courses, she enrolled in the Certified Nursing Assistant program and became a licensed C.N.A.. She enjoyed working as a C.N.A. for many years.
In 2007, Rocio realized that although she loved her nursing career, she wanted more time and energy to spend with her 3 children. She transitioned to a new career as a full-time nanny. She continued to work as a nanny for the next 12 years. During this time, she began dreaming of opening her own daycare. The pandemic gave her an opportunity to pause and pursue the Child Development program at MWEPC. She became determined to complete the child development coursework, obtain her permit and licenses and start her daycare business.
Fortuitously, as she was completing her coursework, a friend was closing her daycare business and Rocio was able to acquire childcare equipment and supplies. She also remodeled her home to accommodate her new daycare and made it a safe, inviting environment for young children.
After successfully passing the licensing and permitting process in the summer of 2021, she opened Shine Bright Daycare. She reports that she has been thoroughly enjoying her new career and is thankful for all the support she received from her teachers, Ms. Johnson and Ms. Guzman. We are so proud of Rocio’s accomplishments and wish her the best in her new endeavor.
Pedro Espinoza
Electrician Graduate
Since the 1990s, Pedro Espinoza, a native of San Pedro, has taken several academic and career courses through the LAUSD Division of Adult and Career Education. Throughout this period of his life, Pedro often had to put his education on hold to help support his family. His father had suffered an occupational injury at a refinery so Pedro worked the graveyard shift for many years in order to provide for his family.
After some time, he knew he had to make education a priority or his life would continue to get harder and harder. He realized that he needed to finish his education, get his certifications and achieve his goal of being an employed, certified electrician. In 2017, Pedro began his electrician training at Harbor Occupational Center and then transferred to MWEPC in spring of 2019. He completed the electrician program the following fall. Upon completion, he obtained employment at RK Controls, Inc. in engineering of drive systems. Presently, he is employed at Conoco Phillips Refinery as a maintenance electrician.
Pedro’s long range goal is to complete 8,000 hours of journeyman experience in order to complete his electrical contractor’s license. He is on target to accomplish this by the end of 2022.
Pedro is thankful for the support and guidance he received at MWEPC. He stated that the office staff, particularly Lisa Treadwell and Dianne Jackson were cooperative and compassionate with him and gave him valuable information that guided him in finishing his electrical training. He also credits his instructor, Mr. Duncan, with teaching the concepts thoroughly and rigorously and with inspiring him to achieve his educational goals.
Lourdes Cativo
CNA Graduate and ESL Student
Lourdes Cativo, like many of our students, began her educational journey at MWEPC by taking ESL classes. She was determined to become a fluent English speaker and acquire professional career training in the medical field. She made consistent progress in advancing from beginning to intermediate ESL and upon completion of ESL level 3, she began taking our evening Medical Terminology course. After completing that course, she entered into the Certified Nurse Assistant program.
She successfully completed the CNA program, passed her certification exams and has since been working as a CNA for three years. While working as a CNA, she has continued to take ESL classes and is making progress towards completing ESL Level 6. After completing the ESL program, she plans on furthering her career by enrolling in our LVN program.
Lourdes’ journey is a great example of the synergy between students, instructors and counselors. When determined students enroll at MWEPC and are assisted along the way by our instructors and counselors, they often discover a career path and pursue one of our professional training programs. From there, they successfully launch their careers and keep striving to improve their lives.
Herbert Young
Welding Graduate
Herbert Young enrolled in our welding program in September 2018. He had previously been a student at MWEPC nearly 17 years prior as a high school student. Like many of our students who juggle education with providing for their family, he was forced to drop out of high school in order to take care of his mother and younger siblings.
During the next several years, he worked a variety of jobs in the security and construction fields. When the recession hit in 2008, he lost his job and became a full-time caregiver for his grandmother.
In 2014, he found employment with Petro-Chem, an oil refinery. He also was able to start a small business called “Health Tea”. Unfortunately, his business and employment did not last and he found himself unemployed again. This time with assistance from the Work Source Center and with guidance from the MWEPC CTE advisor, Herbert enrolled in our welding program.
Herbert excelled in the welding program. He was passionate about learning the trade and was chosen as a member of the welding team competing at the regional 2019 Skills USA competition. He won gold for his welding sculpture “Watts Towers” at the regional competition and went on to also win gold at the Skills USA State competition. His gold medal win qualified him to participate in the 2019 National Skills USA competition in Louisville, Kentucky.
Fortuitously, while competing in Kentucky, he landed an interview with Newport News Shipbuilding based in Virginia, one of America’s largest military shipbuilding companies. He ended up getting the job and becoming employed as a welder in the shipbuilding industry. Upon completion of our program, he expressed great gratitude for the opportunities that both MWEPC and SkillsUSA brought him. We are equally proud of his accomplishments and perseverance.
Lourdes Ramirez
Computer Technology Graduate
Before arriving at Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center, Lourdes Ramirez had overcome many obstacles in her life. Becoming a mother in her teens, escaping an abusive relationship, and raising her son while working multiple jobs had tested her determination and will to succeed. Prior to enrolling at MWEPC, Lourdes had dreams of pursuing her postsecondary studies, but the need to support herself and her son put those dreams on hold.
She spent several years devoting herself to her job while raising her son. She worked for an import/export company where her co-workers referred to her as the “go-to girl” because of her ability to problem solve and assist others with their duties. But, after 12 years of working at the company, her job was relocated to India, and she was laid off.
The silver lining to this situation was that she qualified for the TAA program which provides funding for retraining and education to workers whose jobs are relocated out of the country. Upon being approved for this program, Lourdes remembered how much she enjoyed the child development course she took at MWEPC 20 years prior. With the help of Debbie Torres, the CTE Program Advisor, she was able to get approved to enroll at MWEPC and pursue the Computer Operations program of study.
She has since completed all 4 Computer Operations courses as well as the Administrative Assistant program . Lourdes has become a leader in the classroom, often assisting her classmates with their assignments during and after school. She was so supportive of her classmates and dedicated to helping them with the coursework that they elected her class president. Her instructor, Mr. Juan Ramirez, says of her progress, “ I watched Lourdes grow into an outstanding individual who excels in both her academic and personal pursuits.”
Lourdes has high regards for her instructor as well. She says of him, “He is excellent at his profession. He has taught me how to deal with everyday situations in a positive way. He runs his class with respect and teaches his students to respect one another. He runs his class with such patience and detail. I am so impressed.” At MWEPC, it is this mutual dedication of the teacher and student that leads to positive results and student success.
Lourdes is now enrolled in undergraduate courses at a local college. She plans to have a career with a local governmental agency or school district. With all that she has accomplished thus far, we know she has a bright future ahead.
Angel Lee
Culinary Arts Graduate
Upon completion of the MWEPC culinary program, Angel Lee was accepted into the JobCorps Advanced Culinary Training Program at Treasure Island in San Francisco. There, her chefs recognized her aptitude in the both the culinary and pastry arts. She credits this to the preparation she received at MWEPC, stating,
“The chef is really impressed with what I already know. Chef, you trained me so well. A lot of students here in the advanced culinary program don’t know how to make croissants or pastry cream. Their knife cuts and sauces are nonexistent. The way you taught the program at Maxine Waters really gave me a great head start here. I cannot thank you enough. “
Because of her skill and proficiency, she was hired as an intern in the pastry department at the Westin St. Francis in Union Square, San Francisco. She continued to learn under chefs who were trained in some of the best dining establishments of the world. After her internship there, the pandemic hit which meant her advanced training would be cut short.
Instead of giving up, Angel traveled to Hawaii and found work in a fine dining restaurant. Angel has truly captured the passion and spirit of a career in culinary arts and has taken advantage of the opportunities and adventure that the culinary field offers.
Chiquitha Prescott
Pharmacy Technician Graduate
Chiquitha Prescott enrolled in the Pharmacy Technician program at Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center in 2019 through the WorkSource program which provides assistance for career training. While at MWEPC, Chiquitha excelled in the Pharmacy Technician program. Her enthusiasm for the field led her to challenge herself to compete in the Skills USA Regional Competition in the subject area of Medical Math. She would go on to win gold in both the regional and state competitions.
After completing the Pharmacy Technician program at MWEPC, she passed her national certification examination through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). She also received her Pharmacy Technician License from the California State Board of Pharmacy.
In the spring of 2019, Chiquitha was selected as a representative of the California Council of Adult Education (CCAE) to speak to legislative representatives at the Legislative Day at the California state capitol. She spoke about her experience at MWEPC and the importance of adult education. Here are some of the great words she shared that day,
“There is an obvious need for adult education in the community (zip code 90059) alone. Illiteracy, unemployment and crime are ad valorem. Education brings opportunity and the ability to obtain employment and remain employable by way of renewing job skills. It also brings independence and the ability to provide basic needs for our families. I recommend to anyone who has had the life changing experience of job loss or unemployment and who is wanting to enhance their skills, to do so through adult education.”
