[Published: September 20, 2023]
BY ALEXA KEGARICE
After spending eight years in the restaurant industry serving hundreds of omelets every weekend and taking community college courses in Computer Science, a major I despised, I decided at age 24 that it was time to try something that would help lead me to a fulfilling career. After hearing about the job training program Year Up through a friend who landed an amazing job at Apple, I decided it was my turn.
Year Up’s mission is to close the opportunity divide. The organization has given countless people nationwide the opportunity to find jobs in the tech industry, regardless of background, economic status, or zip code. After joining, I quickly realized that, since the program is just one year, I’d underestimated the fast pace and how much work one has to do not to fall behind.
I completed six months of college courses specializing in Project Management (the other tracks are IT and data analysis), followed by a six-month internship at Stanford University with the Transportation team.
Before my internship, I had never worked in an office environment, so the change was drastic. I had to learn not only about how Transportation operates but also how to fit in with the corporate culture. What I loved the most was how much Land, Buildings & Real Estate (LBRE) values Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), which also aligns with Year Up. With time, I felt like a valued team member. Many of my ideas, including creative graphics like our Bike Stories Gone Wild, were heard and implemented. My colleagues were so supportive.
Worked 9-5 plus two server jobs to pay the bills
Still, the past year was one of the most challenging years I’ve experienced. Not only did I work at my internship, which accurately represented a 9-5 corporate job, but I also worked two other server jobs at Bill’s Cafe and Hero Ranch Kitchen to pay bills. I worked seven days a week, sometimes even double shifts, for the last 52 weeks but still showed up to my internship eager to learn and to show I could be a valuable asset to the team.
Recognized my commitment and potential
Toward the end of my internship, I applied and interviewed for various roles inside and outside the university. After numerous rejections, I started to lose motivation but never gave up. Then, a role as Sustainable Transportation Administration Associate with the team’s Transportation Demand Management team opened up. I went through several rounds of interviews, sweating out the stiff competition. Just before my last day, my supervisor-to-be offered me the position. She recognized my commitment and potential. I’ll never forget the feeling of excitement and relief.
Supported by caring mentors along the way
Even though I was intimidated at first, boy, was I wrong! Interning at Stanford University, more specifically, LBRE, was the most fantastic experience I could have asked for. So many caring mentors supported my personal and career development. I’m grateful for Year Up and hope my story inspires other Stanford departments to partner with this worthy organization.
I’ve retired my server apron for good and am excited about my new Stanford career.
Here's Obie
And now a few words from a fellow Year Up alum, Obadiah “Obie” Alfaro. Obie, 28, was working at a gym when a friend told him about Year Up. He interned with LBRE IT, then COVID hit. He applied for 63 jobs but no one was hiring. Finally, he found IT work at a local Audi dealership. Two months later, LBRE reached out. Obie interviewed for, and landed a full time job. Recently, he became a geospatial analyst with the Maps & Records department. “My experience at Stanford has been absolutely amazing. I appreciate the patience everyone has had while training and helping me grow,” said Obie, adding that loves his new role which includes flying drones. “I never would have been here if it weren’t for Year Up.”
–A.K
