Broncos at Work
Ana Ramirez | '07, animal science | '19, master's, biological sciences
For eight years I worked at Southern California Veterinary Specialty Hospital-Blue Pearl. In my last years there, I was the weekend emergency supervisor, while completing graduate school. In August, I started veterinary school at WesternU.
I have two publications in pharmaceutical development in veterinary medicine.
I have two publications in pharmaceutical development in veterinary medicine.
It takes grit, but with support from my husband, parents and mentors, it was doable. This support system was key to my success.
My mom came from El Salvador to save us from poverty and civil war. She started as a janitor at a convalescent hospital and worked her way up to director of nurses. I saw her fall asleep on her books. Setting an example is the best way to show my son that a higher education is important and that we do not quit.
Being a parent while in school forces you to multi-task, and it pushes you to your limits. Instead of being tedious, my time at Cal Poly Pomona became second nature because I knew that reaching for higher education is setting an example for my children and will eventually give us a better life.
When I worked at the Cesar E. Chavez Center for Higher Education, I coordinated the Dia De Los Muertos celebration. Now I come back and make it a family event. It is so special because it instills the tradition in the kids so that they do not forget their culture. It also reminds us to celebrate our lives and remember those who have passed on.
Mario Escobar | '19, plant science
I am a farm manager trainee at Sunview Vineyards in Delano. We specialize in growing table grapes. I assist in crop evaluation, pest management, irrigation and supervising farm work.
It was the hardest three years of my life. I juggled school, two jobs, raising my son and family.
My son would ask why I was around plants and books. I explained that I had to learn some new things to get a better job, so I could give him mac and cheese (his favorite food). By connecting what was important to him, I taught my son that getting an education would give us a better life and the things we needed.
If I did not have my family looking up to me, I would not have had the motivation I needed to get through school. With everything I did, I imagined my son sitting next to me, and I performed the way I would want him to see me. I pushed through for them, because I could not tell my family I wanted to give up.
I took my son to Spadra Farm and showed him where oranges come from. We harvested citrus from the trees, and he did not mind the leaves and dirt on his face that would normally bother him. This experience boosted his confidence, and he has a new interest in growing his own fruit at home. All it took was sharing my passion.