Cisco Sanchez is a graduate from SIATech San Diego Job Corps. We were thrilled to learn about his learning and life path which was submitted through our “Share your SIATech Story” online form. Before enrolling at SIATech, Cisco had lost his job as a carpenter and was working as a bouncer at a night club. However, due to his past criminal record, Cisco had his guard card revoked and lost that security job, too.
Cisco enrolled at San Diego Job Corps and SIATech high school to get his life back on track. He liked that SIATech is a mix between mentoring and education with the idea that not all students learn the same. Since every student receives an individualized learning plan, the curriculum is set up so that students can achieve small attainable goals. Cisco liked that the coursework incorporates technology and offers real world hands-on experience such as Robotics.
The teachers made a tremendous difference for Cisco. “I felt like the teachers at SIATech genuinely cared about their students which was something I had never experienced before at any other school. The level of compassion and understanding that the teachers showed to me and the other students encouraged me to not let them down. I was 23 years old and that was the first time that a person told me that they were proud of me and it felt genuine.”
Cisco’s teachers provided more than just classwork. Cisco mentioned that through discussions with teachers he also learned about politics and local opportunities, which helped him earn an internship with Congresswoman Susan Davis.
Cisco was the speaker at the school’s graduation. “I could never fathom graduating from high school; that moment felt surreal. Something I will never forget about graduation is Congresswoman Susan Davis’ staff being present to support me. To this day by far that is the biggest win of my life.”
Today, Cisco is currently working as a finance director at an automotive dealership. He is “a homeowner, father to two beautiful girls, and my wife is currently in college to become a nurse.” Cisco said his three year goal is to enroll back into college to obtain a degree in psychology or teaching.
“After achieving my high school diploma, I learned something about myself. I can achieve anything I want as long as I’m willing to work hard for it.”
