The Transfer Center and the Associated Students of Skyline College (ASSC) hosted “Students Breaking Barriers,” a virtual student alumni panel. Attendees got the opportunity to hear from Morelia Karina Cruz, a Math major at UC Berkeley, Mark Estrada, an Asian American Studies major at San Francisco State, and Nick Perez, a Business Administration graduate from San Francisco State. The panelists shared narratives of their educational experiences that inspired and motivated the audience. The conversation centered around ways in which Skyline College helped them prepare for transfer and for their careers, advice they had for students considering transfer, and the importance of building a network of support.
Our alumni panelist shared their personal narratives and strategies for success that they gained through their college experiences. The panelists encouraged students to seek opportunities to explore campus communities, their majors, and careers, especially in the form of internships and extracurricular activities. In response to a question about what tips they have regarding transfer, Morelia Cruz reminded students to “work and do you, explore opportunities, get involved and do you. Don’t compare yourself to others.” The panelists emphasized the importance of relationship building and the value of making connections while at Skyline College. One panelist, Nick Perez, shared how “Skyline taught me to be professional.” The alumni also addressed “impostor syndrome,” as they attended not only Skyline College, but larger universities as well. Morelia Karina shared how in her first semester at UC Berkeley, she had to navigate imposter syndrome as she often felt she didn’t compare to those she attended class with, but she just kept working hard and using her community to succeed. She encouraged the attendees to not limit themselves and to “apply to colleges that you do not think you will get into; you might just get admitted into colleges such as UC Berkeley just like myself.”
Overall it was a fantastic experience, with over 40 students, faculty, and staff in attendance. The virtual Transfer Student Panel would not have been possible without the support of students, faculty and staff. A special note of appreciate for Rolando Mutul, Transfer Center Ambassador and ASSC Senator, who brought the three panelist together. The Transfer Center is appreciative of the continued support that allows us to create spaces for students to share their experiences. If you were unable to catch the event you can watch the recording here.
Article by Jackie Flores & Lucy Jovel
