With resilience, single father overcomes life’s challenges
Thirty-eight-year-old Marco Perez grew up and spent most of his life in Long Beach.
His parents are immigrants from Mexico who worked as farm workers.
Not having a role model or mentor who would encourage him to further his education, he worked unskilled jobs after graduating from high school in 2005 until recently. “I didn't have a direction. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do in life,” said Marco. In 2018, he began working as a quality control lead at an architectural millwork firm specializing in crafting furniture for retail and restaurant chains, including McDonald's and Starbucks. This job sparked his interest in architecture and engineering, and he discovered his career goal in these fields.
Marco decided to go back to school to pursue architecture. He applied to several local community colleges but was rejected for failing to register for Selective Service before turning 26. Due to family problems, he was in foster care for a few years, beginning in high school. During that time, nobody informed him about the registration requirement. The only college that accepted his application was Cerritos College. “I had no idea about this requirement, but Cerritos College gave me a chance,” he recalls.
Marco enrolled at Cerritos College in the fall of 2021, amidst the pandemic, to pursue an architecture degree. As a first-generation college student, Marco was unfamiliar with the enrollment and class processes. The remote aspect added more anxiety to his return. Still, being a self-motivated fast learner, he adapted quickly to college life. Marco also appreciates the Cerritos College LINC program, which supports former foster youth over the age of 26, for assisting him in his transition to college and accessing campus resources. “LINC was really helpful. They've helped me with many things like counseling, tutoring, and emergency financial assistance.”
Marco's future is looking bright. In 2023, two years into the architecture program at Cerritos College, Marco was promoted to project engineer at his work on the premise that he finish his degree. Even before graduating, his education gave him a foot in the door of his dream job. Marco’s earnings have now doubled after the promotion. As a single father of a 15-year-old, Marco has balanced parenting, work, and education for nearly three years. “I can’t wait to finish my studies and just focus on my family and work,” he smiles.
Marco is receiving an associate degree in architectural technology and certificates in architectural practice and architectural drafting and design this month. He loves his job and is looking forward to gaining more experience as a project engineer.
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