Community College- Los Angeles
"When I was in Los Angeles, it was really hard for me to take advantage of opportunities. I wasn't accepted in the environment. I challenged myself to leave L.A. and go to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. And that meant leaving my family, leaving everything that was comfortable for me behind."
Cal Poly
"Cal Poly was a culture shock from the beginning. It was predominantly white and I was not used to that. That's when I decided to go to my first SHPE meeting. I was amazed by how many members there were- probably 100 plus members at that first meeting."
SHPE
As a student, Miguel was elected Vice President of Corporate Affairs for the Cal Poly Chapter of SHPE.
"The friends and professional connections are what I really value about SHPE. I have always been very introverted so being able to make friends through my chapter helped me grow and be proud of the person I am."
Internship
"I went to two SHPE National Conventions. I went to Kansas City, Missouri in 2017 and then Cleveland, Ohio in 2018. It was in Kansas City that I got my summer internship with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). And that's how I got offered a full time position with them."
Professional
"I'm going to be starting with PG&E in three weeks so my next step is taking advantage of my opportunities there, getting to know my coworkers and boss, and starting to make a name for myself at the company. I want to give back not just to the people I work with, but to the community."
Future
Miguel is now a Regional Junior Representative for Region 1, mentoring K-12 students through SHPE Jr, Noche de Ciencias, and teaching kids about the benefits of pursuing a career in STEM.
"For me, SHPE is not over just because I graduated. I will continue to be involved with SHPE as a professional, now with the power to give back to others."
Advice
"My advice for new SHPE members is: take risks and don't be afraid of falling down. A lot of us, sometimes, don't go for opportunities because we feel we're not good enough or there are more qualified people. You are capable. You have the potential. You are qualified."