Past, Present, Future

I was born in Mexico City in the year 1983, I attended elementary school as well as junior high before moving to California. Once in California I attended high school for a little over a month when a family emergency pushed my family back to Mexico. Back in Mexico I graduated high school. By far the most amazing time in my life.  When living in Mexico I took part in my father’s business, I got to travel over 80 percent of the country while learning the business.  During my stay in different parts of Mexico I learned a lot about myself and it gave me a good picture of where I wanted to be.  Even though I loved the fast pace environment, the long lines in the metro station and the bumper to bumper traffic I wanted to move to California. I remember it like it was yesterday, when I graduated high school my dad gave me two options. If I wanted to stay in Mexico he would pay for my college or he would fly me out to California, help me get established and support my decision.  A week later I decided to sell my car, pack my stuff and move. 

Once in California I started working at Kragen Auto Parts, my first job.  It was much more difficult than I had anticipated.  I was alone, renting a room in a stranger’s house and having to struggle with the language. Although I had always been indirectly exposed to English having to actually carry on a conversation and reading and writing was very intimidating. I worked at Kragen for a little over two years. I received a promotion a year in to my assignment and was eligible to attend safety trainings.  At that time I did not have the slightest idea of such a thing as Occupational Safety. I remember leaving the training with a new job objective. After Kragen  I worked at HD Supply, I worked there for about one year before quitting to enroll in school and pursue an Occupational Health and Safety career.  I started attending Ventura College and soon realized that money was a big issue, I had no other option but to look for work. I started working at my current place of employment as a health and safety associate, I been working here for the past 6 years. I love my job as it gives me the opportunity to work with people and better their work conditions.

Currently I’m preparing myself for an examination in December to obtain my OHST (Occupational Health and Safety Technologist) certification. As well as transferring to Northridge for a degree in Health and Safety.  Obtaining the previously mention would mean a lot to me and it would bring a sense of completion and achievement that began in Mexico City 10 years ago.