Rising Engineer Passionate About Sustainability and Community
Meet Ruben Orozco, a determined and aspiring engineer who grew up in La Mirada and
has been carving his path at Cerritos College. Inspired by his parents, both of whom
attended Cerritos College but didn’t complete their degrees, he felt a connection
to the school from an early age. As the older brother of a high schooler also interested
in engineering, he is motivated to lead by example and guide his young brother through
the college experience.
Ruben’s passion for engineering ignited in high school, where he thrived on hands-on projects, particularly the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) skills and career readiness program that confirmed his love for the field. With a strong interest in building—fueled by childhood joys like playing with Legos—he embraced the opportunity to deepen his understanding of engineering by enrolling at Cerritos College in 2023, where his prior PLTW high school credits helped him transition smoothly.
Ruben found studying at Cerritos College to be a refreshing change. The community felt welcoming and allowed him to challenge himself socially after a prolonged period of isolation due to COVID 19. His commitment to his education led him to become actively involved in programs like Puente, MESA, and the Transfer Academy. These programs provided him with a supportive network of peers and mentors, as well as vital information on navigating his academic path.
His involvement in student organizations and programs has not only built friendships but also fostered a collaborative environment where he could seek help with coursework and connect with others who shared his ambitions. The connections he made helped solidify his commitment to engineering, and he learned about various career paths through campus visits and professional speakers.
This past year, he and a group of Puente students stumbled upon the Red Bull Soap Box Race, leading them to apply for a competitive opportunity that required teamwork and creativity. With their backgrounds in mechanical engineering, their selection process was intense, with 20 to 30 teams chosen from over 100 applications. Though initially scheduled for July of 2025, the race was postponed to this year, giving them time to prepare thoroughly, fundraise through t-shirt sales, and fine-tune their project.
While balancing academics, tutoring for Puente, and working part-time at the City of La Mirada, Ruben has honed his time-management skills and built a solid foundation for his future. His summer internship with USC's sustainability research program last year provided invaluable insights into the impact of mechanical engineering in energy systems.
Ruben will transfer to San Jose State University in the fall with aspirations in sustainable energy. He envisions a career with companies like SoCal Gas or PG&E. Ruben’s journey exemplifies resilience, community involvement, and a genuine passion for engineering. He is well on his way to making a significant impact in the field while inspiring future generations, including his younger brother, to pursue their dreams.