Extracurricular Activities
I enjoy volunteering for Nose Work Detectives, LLC and Brian Carvalho who coordinate, and host scent trials authorized by the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) which is the oldest governing body in K9 nose work. One thing I enjoy about these events is that many of the participants are retired service dogs. These events are a great way to keep these dogs active. Over winter break I was able to participate in a certification trial with my dog Ryker and he got 2 out of 3 hides! I will be taking a continuing education class this summer to maintain my certification as a driver’s instructor because I want to be available to continue that activity on the side in the future. I was responsible for teaching high school students proficient driving skills in a behind-the-wheel setting using the Oregon Department of Transportation Safety Division approved curriculum. I have been certified through the state since August 31, 2019. I currently coordinate study groups each term for my classes through Microsoft Teams and occasionally in person. I volunteer for events such as: • 2 different Preview Days • Cesar E. Chavez leadership conference at Western Oregon University to represent Oregon Tech as a current student. • Helped setup and teardown the Oregon Tech booth for Future Business Leaders of America • Helped tear down the Career Day event on the Portland Metro Campus • Participated in a Leodis McDaniel High School College Night event representing Oregon Tech as a current student. • I have also participated in local high school visits with the Oregon Tech admissions department to aid in recruitment.
A Little Bit About Me
I am from Chester, California, a small town in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I was raised in a single parent household by my mother. Growing up I spent my free time exploring the outdoors. In high school, I became a musician which I invested a lot of time in. After high school, I attended Roberto-Venn School of Lutherie where I was trained in the art of building and repairing stringed instruments. I promptly moved to Los Angeles where I gained experience in industry. After moving back home I became a wildland firefighter. I began a custom guitar business which I maintained for four years. I moved to Oregon to pursue more opportunities for the guitar business which led me to higher education. Currently, I am a soon-to-be father who enjoys hiking with my dog, amateur radio, and everything DIY.
Why I Chose Oregon Tech and My Major
Realizing I wanted to continue my education toward a bachelor’s degree, I was recommended by numerous family and friends to attend Oregon Tech due to its high reputation and the success of graduates in industry. Learning that Oregon Tech is the number one return on investment college in the state is extremely important to me because my goal for attending college is to obtain a great career to support my family.
My Influential Professors
Dr. Cristina Crespo is an engineering instructor at Oregon Tech and has been inspirational as my electronics II and III professor for the past two terms. Dr. Crespo is always available to answer questions. Dr. Crespo is also the program director for the MS Engineering program which I expressed interest in at the end of winter term. She was very encouraging, enthusiastic, and supportive when helping me navigate my academic map which was refreshing because I was nervous to work towards the MSE and wasn’t confident that I was on the right track. Dr. Crespo stands out to me as an authentic leader and inspires me to model this behavior.
My Greatest Learning Experience At Oregon Tech
During my time at Oregon Tech, my greatest learning experience has been developing my leadership skills. I bring a high standard to myself and my peers, aiming to bring out the best in everyone during projects. However, I understand that this can come off as intense at times. This year I've realized the importance of stepping back, reflecting, and considering others' feelings. I'm actively working on coordination skills through insightful communication, rather than micromanaging or shouldering all the tasks myself.
My Plans After Graduation
I have learned to be willing to grow and understand that plans do not always work out exactly how you imagine they will. I have a very broad set of skills and my degree will allow many different career avenues so I do not want to limit possible opportunities that can occur. Overall, I believe I am improving my skills to apply them to something great in the future. I am excited to be in the Systems Engineering program because I would like to work as an RF Systems Engineer and manage repeater systems.