Blog
Balancing Acts: Navigating college and Americorps Services with SuccessAutumn Layton – Marketing Intern
In the whirlwind of lectures and assignments, one student stands as a symbol of purpose, weaving the ability to nurture adolescent high school students while getting their college degree.
Juliana Perales is currently a Junior at CSU Bakersfield majoring in child adolescent and family studies. As of Fall, 2021, she has been working part time at Y2L with the AmeriCorps team. Perales is working with Mira Monte and Vista West high school students throughout the week mentoring them.“It’s more one-on-one support and checking if they need anything. We help with resume building, discuss everyday living habits, how to apply for a credit card, how to start a savings account, financial aid, and scholarships opportunities,” said Perales.
When working with students from different backgrounds there are a wide range of small or big situations that you will help them through. “I see their integrity and determination to strive despite the circumstances they’re going through,”said Perales. One in particular was a student who was dealing with homelessness. This student (who has to remain anonymous) was couch surfing while working long hours at Starbucks. “She was so optimistic and it rubbed off on me to feel grateful and to give the best services possible,” said Perales.
High school students have so much to deal with nowadays compared to high schoolers before the pandemic. Now that we are 5 years from that world wide epidemic, students are dealing with the pressure of finding a job right after highschool. “I want to give them more support and information about education and how far it can get you because that’s one thing that people can’t take away from you,” said Perales. There are so many different ways to make money that it will have most high school students overlooking a college education. College isn’t for everyone but don’t count it out due to someone else’s experience.
Being there for others is just as important as being there for yourself. Juggling a partime job and college is not easy and Perales makes it her duty to have a self care day and enjoy some of her hobbies. Exploring new coffee shops, traveling and walking her dog are all things that she enjoys doing on her off time. She is expected to graduate in Spring of 2025 and one of her goals is to attend graduate school to get her masters degree.
When asked about advice that she would give to incoming college students, Perales said,“ Take your time graduating, sometimes it can be a lot of pressure to graduate in 4 years. It’s different for everybody, that’s what makes the experience so unique,” said Perales.