CTE Student Success

Dora Ramos

Certificate: Commercial Music

What made you come to Cerritos College and why?

My sister came to Cerritos College, and she liked it. I remember seeing all her performances because she was in the dance program. The reason was mainly familiarity—I was already comfortable and knew people who were attending. When I first came to college I lacked direction and motivation. I was straight out of high school and I was only doing it because my mom wanted me to.

Consequently, I failed everything and eventually decided to leave, realizing I was wasting time and resources. While I’ve always had an interest in music, I was never drawn to performing. I was more interested in music and sound. When I returned to Cerritos College as an adult, I discovered a program that went beyond just music; it was a technical music program. That’s when I actually got interested in school.

During my time here, I took music theory, and Dr. Maz was new to the campus as well as his program. He needed to reach out to students to promote his courses, so he sent mass emails to every music student introducing himself and providing details about the courses. I recall him saying, “If you don’t enroll now, you’re going to have to wait a whole year because it’s only offered in the fall.” This compelled me to take action and make this move now. It worked on me and on a lot of people.

STUDENT ADVICE

Be inquisitive; ask the questions you have. If you don’t ask them, how will anyone know you’re engaged and interested? People fail to realize that without asking questions, they may go unnoticed by teachers and fail to demonstrate their active presence. By refraining from asking questions, you’re ultimately hindering yourself because asking questions serve as an opportunity for personal growth and exploration. 

Embrace the fear that comes with being in this challenging field. Being put on the spot is a constant occurrence, and you must become comfortable with it. Allow the fear to enter and embrace it.

INSIGHT

I am an introverted person, but being in this program helped me break out of my shell, especially due to the high expectations set by Dr. Maz. He served as a major driving force for my overall improvement. One of the best aspects of this college is the abundance of equipment available. Unlike my current four-year university, where I’m paying a significant amount of money, there is nothing even remotely comparable in terms of quality. This college provides access to a wide range of resources that not only enhance musical abilities but also equip students with valuable skills applicable in the workforce.

Dr. Maz has become my mentor in life. I seek his advice regarding both work and school. Whenever I encounter challenging situations with coworkers, he offers guidance on navigating through them. It’s reassuring to have such a supportive individual in my life. Even after graduation, we maintain weekly communication. He constantly works on music, shares his work with me, and seeks my feedback. We’re always picking each other’s brains for things.

Dr. Maz played a pivotal role in bringing everything together, and he is the reason why I have all my connections now which is great. He has introduced me to influential individuals, and some connections were established simply by being in the same room as him. Cerritos College and Dr. Maz are the reasons behind my entire career and network. It’s all because I attended Cerritos College.

Cerritos College

Commercial Music

For more information on enrollment, please refer to the current class schedule or consult a counselor.
www.cerritos.edu/music/commercial