Regina Ramirez (she/her/ella) is a program manager at 10,000 Degrees in San Francisco, CA. Previously in the summer of 2012 she was a SEP High School Intern Program participant. She has a degree from B.A. from UC Santa Barbara, in Sociology and minors in Feminist Studies & Education and a M.A from SF State University, in Education.
What do you do at 10,000 Degrees? How long have you been there? I am a Program Manager with 10,000 Degrees, a college access and success non-profit in the Bay Area. I have been in my current role for about two and a half years and oversee the college access work in San Francisco at 7 SFUSD school sites.
What is your favorite part about the work you are doing now? I like to tell people that my journey in life is filled with community love and support. As a first-generation immigrant, the idea of college seemed unrealistic and almost unattainable. Thanks to many programs in the community, including SEP, I was able to reconsider college and receive all the support and resources needed to ease that process. Before my current role, I was a college advisor supporting students like myself, who did not think college was an option for them or did want to attend college but did not have the tools and resources to do so. Now, as a program manager, I train and coach those college advisors who support students with the transition from high school to college. I love being a small part of that community that is changing student’s lives, just like mine was changed.
SEP Program Experience
What drew you to participate in our High School Intern Program? Katherine Melvin, one of my teachers at Lowell High School, nominated me. My time at Lowell was a hard one, constantly feeling judged and out of place as a Latinx student who was still learning English at the time. She shared that it would be a great opportunity for me to not only learn more but also to get more personalized support on what my options after high school could be.
What was your overall experience like? What did it teach you? It taught me that I could do much more than I thought! I remember writing in my program journal that I was cloning DNA, separating DNA, and even diluting DNA by mistake. I was constantly surprised at how much I was learning. Although my path did not end in a science career, I am forever thankful for the internship and everyone for taking the time to shape us as young professionals.
What person, project, or aspect of the program, if any, influenced you? Everyone was a big part of my experience: Jean MacCormack, Ben Koo, Booh Edouardo, and specifically my mentor, Michael DuPage. I will forever be thankful they did not give up on me and always pushed me to do and be better.
What are some life lessons you’d like to share with our high school interns/participants? Please take advantage of all the resources and the people that are here to help you! Ask questions and never think you should “know that by now.” Everyone wants to see you succeed; for that, it might mean you ask for help or share more about what is happening in your personal life. If extra support is offered, always take it.
Any advice on how to transition from college life to “real” life? As first-generation professionals, the path to “real” life can be difficult for many of us. Please don’t get discouraged by rejection; opportunities will come. During college, create connections with professors and other professionals, visit centers such as Career Centers often, and take advantage of internships and other opportunities that will begin to prepare you for your life after college. Also, don’t compare your path to others; we each will lead our own path, which might look completely different from the people we know!
