Our Success
How have former participants benefited from ETS? Take a look at the expericance of Pedro B. Santos Jr., Judith Franco, and Sandra Sandoval.
Pedro B. Santos Jr.
- Why did you join ETS and what did you gain from the program? A friend recommended me to the program. I joined ETS the beginning of 12th grade. My ETS counselor was able to tell me about college tests I needed to take and he helped me fill out the UC application and prepared me for college.
- What advice would you give students? Join the ETS program as soon as possible, don’t wait till 12th grade like I did. Take as many college prep, honors and AP classes your high school offers. These classes will give you a small taste of what college courses are like. Also, go visit colleges you are interested in before applying to that college. If you can, correspond via e-mail with a college student so that they can tell you what college life is like.
- Status Currently working for the California Department of Water Resources, Division of Engineering as an Electrical Engineer.
- What are your goals for the future? Career Goals: Obtain my Professional Engineer’s license from the State of California. Move up the corporate ladder and become an Associate Electrical Engineer and eventually a Senior Electrical Engineer.
- What did you gain from college? I gained the knowledge, tools, and skills necessary to succeed in the work place. I not only gained the individual technical skills I needed, but I also learned to work as a team to accomplish a common task, such as a lab or a design project. Learning to work as a team is very important because more than likely you will have to work as a team in the work place.
Life Long Goals: Take advantage of what I have accomplished by going to college and enjoy the benefits from all the hard work I have put in.
Judith Franco
- Why did you join ETS and what did you gain from the program? My ETS counselor went to my class to speak about the program. I found the program interesting so I decided to join. At first I was hesitant to attend a U.C. because I did not believe I could make it and because money was an issue. I believe that because of ETS I became more motivated to attend a U.C. rather than a community college. My ETS counselor helped me realize that I could make it. He showed me that there was money out there.
- What advice would you give students? ETS is a great program that both junior high and high school students should join. If you have the opportunity to join then you should not let it pass you by. One thing that I highly recommend is that you take advantage of the many programs that your school offers. Join clubs and become active in your school. Start thinking about college now. Don’t procrastinate and make sure to get your schoolwork done. This is only preparing you for college life.
- Status:
Currently a freshman at U.C. Davis and working for the ETS office on campus.
- What are your goals for the future? I think something that everyone wants is a great career. This is something I desire because it is the reason my parents came to the United States in the first place. I want to be able to have a better life for myself, one that my parents never had. I want to be able to take advantage of the education that I am getting.
- What did you gain from college? For one thing, I’ve gained the opportunity to get a higher education. This is something that will help me succeed in my lifetime. Although I have only been in college for less than a year I believe that an education is essential. Education is what will guide you through life.
Sandra Sandoval
- Why did you join ETS and what did you gain from the program? I actually didn’t join ETS until the middle of my junior year in high school. I mainly joined the program because Martin Gomez told me to. Also, being in NYSP they tell you to about the program and invite you to apply. I applied, and got in. Once I got in I started going to all the workshops and learning more about college. Now that I look back on it, I don’t think that I would be in college without the tremendous amount of help this program gave me. It is important for more students, especially first generation, students to join programs like these and get help to learn more about other opportunities that may be present.
- What advice would you give students? I would advice students to be on the lookout an never take no for an answer. Many times people get discouraged by obstacles put in their way, but if they only knew that anything is possible, they would try even harder.
- Status: I am currently a first year at UCDavis and am also working with ETS. Now that I work there, I realize the amount of paperwork and effort that goes into the program (trust me- every paper counts!) I am working hard and trying to do well in my classes, as well as trying to have a healthy social life. Once the right routine is set, there is enough time to do well in school, exercise, and have fun.
- What are your goals for the future? When I graduated high school, I was sure I wanted to major in economics and with that degree do something in the business world. Although that path still seems exciting and is still present in my plans, I am keeping my options open and taking classes that will broaden my views. Whatever I choose, I hope to be happy in my field of work, and also in my life. If possible, I would like to somehow make an impact on the world and give my life some meaning in that I would have helped others and not just myself.
- What did you gain from college? I just started college, but already I am glad and very happy to be here. I have learned not only academics, but have also been taught to think “outside the box.” Growing up in a small town, my views of the world were becoming very narrow and now that I came to college, I learned to appreciate the diversity and different points of view that others may have.