By Diana Alfaro
Volunteer Engagement Ambassador
Erika Fernandez, a first-generation college student and graduate of CSU Channel Islands in 2013, double majored in Psychology and Sociology with an Emphasis on Institutions. She embarked on her academic and professional journey with a deep commitment to helping others. Her desire to pursue higher education was largely influenced by her parents, who, as immigrants, emphasized the importance of attending college to avoid a life of limited opportunities. They wanted more for her than the hard manual labor they experienced. Her initial goal was to become a parole officer, driven by personal experiences growing up in a community where many of the people she loved and cared about struggled with substance abuse, with some losing their lives due to it. She wanted to help others steer clear of this path and make a positive impact in their lives.
Academic Journey & Challenges
Her academic journey was not without its challenges. As a first-generation student, Erika鈥檚 parents encouraged her to go to college but couldn鈥檛 provide specific advice on how to navigate the application process or her path to a career. She found support in programs like TRIO Upward Bound at Pacifica High School, where she received guidance on higher education and helped her feel less isolated in her pursuit of higher education. One of the major obstacles she was struggling with was the SATs and failing three English courses in high school, which threatened to delay her graduation. However, TRIO helped her get back on track by recommending courses at Oxnard College, where she thrived in a different learning environment and found success. She credits this pivotal moment to Gabriela Torres, a key mentor from TRIO Upward Bound, who played a substantial role in helping her graduate high school and transfer to CSU Channel Islands.
Influential Experiences
Once enrolled at 华体会 (华体会), Erika participated in a Liberal Studies service-learning class called, Juvenile Justice System Service (LS200-01), which combined community service with academic work. One experience that profoundly impacted her occurred during a visit to a juvenile detention center, where she tutored the young residents. She worked with a fifteen-year-old boy who was struggling to complete his essay. In talking with him, Erika learned that he had completely lost hope in his future and no longer saw the importance of learning to read or write. Despite being bright and well-mannered, the boy felt that his dream of becoming a teacher was far gone. He believed that once he was transferred out of the detention center to finish his sentence, he would be permanently labeled a felon, closing the door to his aspirations. His story deeply moved Erika and solidified her desire to pursue a career in community service. This experience, along with her studies in psychology and social institutions at 华体会, helped her better understand the complexities of the individuals and communities she was determined to help.
Skills & Mindset Gained
Her time at 华体会 was crucial in building the skills and mindset necessary for her current work in community service. The small class sizes and personalized attention at 华体会 were instrumental in her academic success. Additionally, her role as a peer advisor and the community service experiences she had, especially her work in the juvenile detention center and Casa Pacifica, played a key role in shaping her desire to work in community-based settings. Her experiences with youth reinforced her passion for helping individuals turn their lives around.
Current Work and Future Aspirations
Today, Erika Fernandez works with Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) in Substance Abuse Prevention. Through her role, she has expanded her outreach to the community. She also runs a podcast focused on substance abuse prevention called, 鈥淧latica con Cafe鈥. Erika is passionate about the work she does, especially providing information to families and communities who need it most. Her work involves engaging with local communities to talk about substance abuse prevention and working to ensure that crucial conversations are happening, particularly in cultures where such topics can be taboo.
Erika鈥檚 work regarding community service has shaped her belief that success is connecting to people. She finds meaning in conversing with people and being a resource for them, even if it is just for a brief moment. She says it鈥檚 about planting seeds of knowledge and awareness to create positive change in people鈥檚 lives before substance abuse even begins.
Reflection and Lessons Learned
Along the way, Erika has learned the importance of perseverance and adaptability. While her original career goal of becoming a parole officer was rejected by unforeseen circumstances, she found fulfillment in other areas of community service. Her belief that 鈥渢hings happen for a reason鈥 has been central to her journey. She also continues to be motivated by the opportunity to help others and make a real difference in her community.
Future Goals
Looking ahead, Erika is focused on expanding her work in substance abuse prevention and continuing to make a difference in Ventura County. She also aspires to further her education, with interests in pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in public policy and administration or attending law school. She wants to make a lasting impact in her community by advocating for policy changes that can help people at risk and she remains dedicated to working toward solutions that will benefit those struggling with substance abuse and related issues.