Finding Your Path Despite Hardship: Maricela Bravo Leads the Way

Maricela Bravo does not give up. Not on herself, not on anyone. Growing up in Porterville, CA her teen years were filled with making mistakes and heading in the wrong direction. But she was smart enough to know she needed a change, so she signed up for the Army – but not until her mother, who was suffering from kidney failure, completed a successful transplant.

When Maricela left the Army in 2009, she attended the University of Phoenix in Porterville. Studying and working while also caring for her mother and her new daughter, Bellica-Faith, she realized she was doing too much and needed to make some changes.  She left school to become a Solar Sales consultant, gaining a skill she hoped would open doors for more opportunity to get a better-paying job.  Opportunity came in the position as a job developer at Community Services Employment Training (CSET), helping employers fill positions and get new employees job-ready. This was the first step to a new life; she realized helping others find the right work for themselves was also rewarding for her.  This was the beginning of her journey – despite tragedy and challenges along the way – to find the work she loved and build a better life.

This is her story.

What was your next step after Community Services Employment?

When COVID hit I had to resign from CSET because I couldn’t hire a caretaker for my daughter because of the risk to my mother and her underlying condition of kidney disease.  I thought it would be a good time to go back to school. I couldn’t go back to the University of Phoenix without starting over, so I explored San Joaquin Valley College’s Human Resources Administration program which aligned with my career goals.  I was able to complete the program despite losing both my parents in the same year. I was able to continue with my educational goals.

When did you graduate?

September 22, 2022. I got my associate of science in Human Resources Administration degree, which was also the day of my mother’s viewing after recently passing on September 7, 2022.

I am so sorry for your loss. You were such a supportive daughter. But what an incredible marker in your life.

Yeah.

What happened next?

I actually applied for a job at SJVC. I thought I could work in online admissions because of my sales experience as well as the HR degree I had just received.  I was offered a position in January 2023.

What’s the job like?

I contact potential students via phone or video call and go over whatever program they are interested in – just like my advisor previously did for me. At SJVC, I do not look at it as work, I look at it as being able to help and motivate students to reach their educational goals and reach their career goals.  I met other students who had lost their parents. I could relate; I also lost my father in April 2022. I make an impact on student’s lives and help them to stay with it despite their own life challenges. I know how difficult it is to do schoolwork and bury your parents at the same time. I feel blessed for the job at SJVC and grateful I could provide the same service that SJVC provided me to help others.

What are the skills you are using that are your best skills?

Sales is one, but I’ve found that I’m more of a people person. I listen carefully to what students want and build connections with them. It is a fulfilling experience.

Do you keep up with the students who apply and get accepted?

I do follow up with the ones who enrolled last March. I have reached out to them and checked in on them. I want to be a part of their journey. I want to make sure they graduate and be there the day they graduate. I want to know the students I am enrolling are successful. It took me a long time to get to where I am; it’s good to know that what I’m doing is helping them.

What are your goals for the next five years?

Now I want to obtain my bachelor’s degree in business management so that one day I could lead a team of my own.  I want to get as much education as possible to continue my journey with SJVC.

You’ve found working at SJVC to be the right environment for you. I’m currently interviewing some women who are celebrating their 30^th anniversary working at SJVC. Do you envision yourself being like them and building your career here too?

Maybe 20 years? I did start a little late.

What do you have to say to students thinking about going to SJVC?

I say I’ll be waiting to hear from you since I am the one on the other end of the phone line. I will say to them: Never give up. It’s never too late. And – if I can do it, so can they.