John grew up in Hayward and worked graveyard shifts at a grocery store before deciding he wanted to pursue a career that allowed him to work with his hands. He looked at various trade schools and learned Chabot College was an affordable option with degrees that can be transferable to four-year universities.

He enrolled in the automotive program, where two faculty members in the Automotive department - Steven Smalls and Jim Baum - made a tremendous impact on his life. Recognizing John’s talents and willingness to learn, Steven recommended John apply for an independent automotive shop, where he would gain hands-on experience repairing vehicles. In 2009, he was a scholarship recipient for the automotive program.

After obtaining his Auto Technology degree with highest honors, he wanted to pursue his passion for serving the Bay Area community. He has worked for the City of Oakland and is currently employed at East Bay Municipal District as a heavy equipment mechanic working with fixing trucks, rigs, tractors, and other construction vehicles. Seeing how the government system is run, he wanted to make a bigger impact within government agencies and decided to go back to school.

John’s positive experience at Chabot inspired him to return for a Business Administration degree while balancing work and family. He graduated with honors and transferred to CSU East Bay, where he is completing his bachelor’s degree.

John’s advice for current students: As students, you may encounter struggles and, at times, feel like giving up. Don’t give up. Your sacrifice will pay off once you complete your academics and gain career opportunities. There are people at Chabot College who support you and want you to succeed. Do not be afraid to ask for help.

Interview Credit: Tomoko Roudebush

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