Palo Alto College Alumni & Friends Newsletter

I was the first in my family to graduate from college. My mother was born in Mexico and came to the US when she was just a year old. My first language was actually Spanish but I don't really remember it since my mother knew that I would be placed in a "special" class if I didn't speak English. I was taught English very quickly from that point on. We didn't have much, but I was always very loved. Today, I have a brother who attended college and is now an RN. I also have a sister who attended The University of Incarnate Word. I like to think that I inspired them to attend college.

How did this impact your decision to go to college?

I was never encouraged to attend college from anyone while I was growing up. My parents couldn't afford to pay for college and had no idea there were Pell grants available to pay for college. It wasn't until I visited with a cousin of mine that was attending college and she told me about the Pell grant. I was overjoyed and immediately looked into it. Sure enough, I found out that I qualified and immediately registered at San Antonio College.

What made you choose PAC to start your undergraduate studies?

I was attending San Antonio College and was overwhelmed by the size of it. I was lost there. I was just one among many thousands of students. I had no connection with the instructors there and did very badly the first semester. They were just too busy with so many students. Then I heard that a new college campus was being built on the Southside. Since I lived in the Southside, I figured it would be a lot closer. I enrolled and found that the classes were small and the instructors actually knew my name. They cared about how I did in class. I was overjoyed. I stayed and finished my Associate's degree.

What made you gravitate toward receiving your degree?

I felt that getting an education would provide me opportunities and open doors. I was also a single parent back when I was attending Palo Alto College and I knew that I had to provide support to my daughter and myself. I didn't want to rely on anyone to take care of us.

What university did you transfer to and why?

When I graduated from Palo Alto College, I applied to St. Mary's University and UTSA. I was accepted to both but decided to attend UTSA because of the lower cost.

In your academic career, who influenced you the most and why?

My mother and grandmother were my biggest supporters while in college. I don't know how I would have done it without them. They would always encourage me to do my best. As a single parent with limited income, their help was what got me through the toughest times in my academic career. I will always thank God for them.

What is the most rewarding part of your job as an Education Support Specialist at the Center for Academic Transitions?

Working with students has always been the most rewarding experience for me. I see them come in scared and I always try to be friendly and put them at ease. I know exactly how they feel. I was in that very same position when I started out. The best part is seeing students finish school and graduate.

What advice would you like to give to current PAC students?

Don't ever give up. You have no idea how much you can accomplish once you set your mind to do it. Education was the best thing I could have done in my life. It opened up a whole a lot of great opportunities for me.

CALL FOR ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS AND UPDATES!

Interested in telling us your story or sharing a new promotion/change in life/engagement/ marriage/new family member? Let us know! We want to hear from you for our upcoming newsletters, or maybe you know outstanding PAC Alumni who deserve recognition!

If you're interested, then email Daniel Uresti at [email protected].

Congratulations, Jenna!

Jenna Mata was selected to the City of San Antonio's Ambassador Program. This summer she'll be interning at Texas A&M-San Antonio Jenna Ambassador

where she'll work as a Compliance Manager.

As part of the program, Jenna will volunteer in group service projects and have the opportunity to meet Mayor Julian Castro. Jenna plans to become a dance instructor and obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After graduating from Texas State University, she will pursue a Master's degree. In addition to her role as a City Ambassador, we're proud to announce that Jenna is also a Palo Alto College Student Ambassador. Congratulations, Jenna!

News & Events!

Apply for Graduation!

Don't forget to apply for graduation! The Summer Graduation Application deadline is July 31, 2012.

See your Faculty Advisor for an audit.
Submit a graduation application on ACES.
GRADUATE!

For more information contact the Center for Academic Transitions, Student Center 101, 210-486-3131.

Summer I and Summer II Tutoring Services!

Palo Alto College will be offering free academic support throughout the summer. Visit alamo.edu/pac/tutoring for more information.

summer tutoring

Refund Checks May Look a Bit Different

In June 2012, Alamo Colleges students receiving refunds should receive their new ALAMOCash debit card in the mail. The ALAMOCash card is the Alamo Colleges Discover� pre-paid debit card. Financial aid and other refunds will be loaded on the ALAMOCash card, so students can receive refunds faster and have the convenience of a Discover�-branded debit card. More information can be found online.

Palo Alto College Aquatic Center - Summer 2012!

The PAC Aquatic Center will be open throughout the summer. Come cool off in the open swim, or join one of our clubs. For more information, click here.

Children's Summer Camps at PAC

There's nothing better than getting your students up and active during summer time. There's no better place to do that than at PAC. Palo Alto Offers great summer programs for children of all ages.

For information on soccer camp or swim classes, call 486-3800 or click here.

For information on Children's Leadership Academy or Living & Style, call 486-3410.

Kids Eat Free!

Texas Public Radio's Cinema Tuesdays!

"Wings" was the first film shown in the 2012 season

Texas Public Radio's 12th annual Cinema Tuesdays series began May 29th at the Santikos Bijou. This season's schedule of films features classic Hollywood fare, foreign films, and a few surprises. This summer's lineup also features several audience requests. So come on out each Tuesday, as we give away some great door prizes, show our film, and have a lot of fun!

Suggested donations of $10 for members and $12 for non-members will get you in for these one-time only showings! Visit the Texas Public Radio site for more information.

2012 Vans Warped Tour!

warped tour

The Vans Warped Tour returns to San Antonio's AT&T Center June 30, 2012.

Tickets for the Vans Warped Tour are available at all Ticketmaster outlets including www.attcenter.com, the AT&T Center Box Office and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Featured bands include: Taking Back Sunday, New Found Glory, The Used, We The Kings, Yellowcard, and many more...

Calling All Alumni!

Calling all Alumni! We are seeking volunteers for upcoming campus-wide events, and we need your help!

If you would like to volunteer at our upcoming events, please contact Daniel Uresti, Jr. at [email protected] or 210-486-3117. Volunteer your time, network with college staff, and get first-hand experience working with a college department.

Careers!

Looking For A Job? Let Us Help!

Social networking has become a popular term in recent years. Did you know that 40% of Fortune 100 companies recruit on LinkedIn.com? Are you ready for the competitive job market?

Do you have a professional online profile? Job Fair

Do you have a professional email address?

Is your resume up to date?

Do you know how to write a cover letter?

Could you improve your interview skills?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, come visit our Career Services staff inside the Center for Academic Transitions in room 101 of the Student Center.

Current Students and Former Students Welcome!

Money 101 - A Guide to Your Financial Life

Money 101

Check out CNN's Money 101, a step-by-step guide to gaining control of your financial life.

Lessons include Making a Budget, Investing in Stocks, Buying a Home, Planning for Retirement, Health Insurance, Buying a Car, 401K's, and sessions on Health/Home/Life/Auto Insurance.

Click here to see the full list and browse the available lessons.

Recent Grads: How to Land Jobs

The basic question: how do you distinguish yourself in a market stuffed with people who lack the skills and the credentials to get noticed?

Here's some advice for the millions new to the labor market and some practical steps for the many millions more still making their way through school:

1) Find a solid mentor

2) Abandon manufacturing stereotypes

3) Take on a technical skill

4) STEM: Where the jobs are

5) Temporary work can lead to full time

6) Anticipate future openings

Know your prospects. Contact public and private sector recruiting offices. Determine the coursework you may need, the skills you must have to fit into that job. No room on the payroll yet? Be bold in your outreach to firms as you seek fieldwork and internships - during the school year, the summer, after graduation.

Your experience, your contacts, and your mentor can help you move into the working world. Unlike the 41% of current workers who have no clue how to make themselves more marketable for the rapidly changing labor market, you'll be focused.

Amy Kaslow, FORTUNE. Click here to read the full article and see the rest of the list.

Optimal Resume has arrived to Palo Alto College!

As soon as you create your Optimal account, You'll be able to create career materials, practice for interviews and build your documents into a professional website, which is imperative for today's job search. Because the program is web-based, you'll be able to access it from any computer, any time. We want you to have the tools necessary for today's competitive job market, and we think Optimal Resume will give you an edge. To check out the great features offered please visit https://pac-alamo.optimalresume.com and click "Create New Account." Follow the instructions there to be validated and then create your account.

Please don't hesitate to contact the Center for Academic Transitions at 210-486-3131 if you need any assistance. Also don't forget to try out the "Review Center" feature to send your documents for review by our Career Services professionals!

City Jobs: 'How to Apply' Workshop

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

6:00 - 7:30pm

Central Library Auditorium, 600 Soledad, San Antonio, TX

Interested in working for the City of San Antonio? Attend a FREE workshop, hosted by the City of San Antonio's Human Resources and Public Library Departments to learn how to apply for full-time, part-time, and temporary positions with the City. Seating is limited; register online at mysapl.org or call 210-207-2500.

Career Link

St. Mary's University is currently searching for a Administrative/Technical Assistant to provide full range of administrative and technical office support as well as assessing needs for students seeking academic support from the Learning Assistance Center. Click here to view the job description and apply.

Visionworks of America, Inc. is currently seeking a Corporate Travel Coordinator to assess traveler needs and make the best possible travel arrangements for company business travel while ensuring established company travel policies are followed. To take advantage of this terrific opportunity please Click here.

City of San Antonio is searching for an Animal Care Officer to investigate property to ensure compliance with animal control ordinances and laws, educate the pet/property owner of violations, and issue warning notices or citations for violations. Click here to apply and see other openings within the city.

Roy Maas' Youth Alternatives, Inc is seeking a Residential Specialist to serve as a positive role model to facility residents, provide crisis intervention, facilitate recreational activities and render first aid when necessary. If interested, please stop by their office located at 3103 West Ave, San Antonio, TX 78213 to fill out an application between the hours of Monday-Friday 9 am - 6 pm. Interested applicants may also contact Janet Martinez at 210-340-8077 for more information.

Johnson Controls is seeking an Intern Technical IV assist in the areas of project development and sales proposal assembly. Engineering majors seeking to learn hands on from this terrific employer, please click here to apply.

University Health System is looking for a Marketing Communications Coordinator to assist in expanding the image, awareness and utilization of University Health System by planning and implementing strategic marketing plans and communication programs. Please click here to view the position.

San Antonio Housing Authority is seeking an Housing Quality Inspector to perform specialized work of average difficulty involving the inspection of single and multi-family residential dwellings to determine their physical conditions and ensure necessary repairs are compliant to applicable housing quality standards. Click here to view postings at the UTHSC.

The Children's Shelter is recruiting for an IT Manager to be responsible for the management and oversight of the organization's information management systems, including computer hardware and software installation, maintenance and support for the corporation's network to include remote sites, telephone system, cell phones, and corporation copier contracts. To read more about this great opportunity click here.

VIA Metropolitan Transit is looking for a Police Dispatcher Specialist to provide technical communications support for police activities. Qualified candidates should possess telecommunication certification by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and terminal operator certification by the Texas Department of Public Safety to access NCIC/TCIC or must be able to obtain within six months of employment. Click here to search for more positions or apply for this one.

San Antonio River Authority is currently recruiting for an Accounting Technician for their Accounts Receivable department. The position will be responsible for performing various customer service functions regarding the San Antonio River Authority's Utility systems as well as processing accounts receivables and deposits according to policies and procedures. To view complete job description and apply please Click here.

Student Loan Forgiveness!

Did you know that there are flexible repayment plans to help you repay your student loans?

Income Based Repayment is a new repayment plan for the major types of federal loans made to students. Under IBR, the required monthly payment is capped at an amount that is intended to be affordable based on income and family size.

If you qualify for IBR and you work in a public service field (teaching, social work, higher ed, non-profit, etc.), you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Loans will be forgiven after 120 consecutive payments while working full time in a public service position!

To find out more, click here.

Did You Know?

About our summer work schedule?

Alamo Colleges is on a 4-day work week over the summer. From June 4 - July 27, offices will be open from 7am - 7pm, Monday through Thursday. This will allow us to save on utility and personnel overtime costs, while making some offices more accessible to working families.

About Reverse Transfer?

In today's ever-changing working world, the more degrees you have, the more marketable you become!

The Reverse Transfer Degree Program is designed for students who have accumulated thirty (30) college-level credit hours at one of the Alamo Colleges and who have received a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited public Texas college or university. Once an official transcript is received documenting a student's bachelor's degree, the student will be approved for and notified if they are eligible for their Associate of Arts or Science Degree. For more information contact Rosie Castro, 210-486-3124 or at [email protected].

Center for Academic Transitions

Emergency Notification System

Notice: All job listings are posted at the discretion of the Palo Alto College Center for Academic Transitions. We will not post jobs that appear to discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, or gender. We also reserve the right to refuse to post jobs that do not support the interests of the college.