In March, JMS hosted its annual career day. This year we had some interesting careers represented. These are some of the people that came and presented for the students.
Medical Massage Therapist- Gaby Alcala
Alcala works with the body to release tension in the muscles or even a person’s emotions because they either cry or laugh when she gives them a massage. She started learning how to massage when she was a kid in Mexico but when she got to California to continue her passion she was scared and shy about touching people’s bodies. So instead she started working with kids but she didn’t like it so she later left. When she left that job, she went to massage school and was there for about three years to get her three certifications. She normally works with athletes like basketball players and runners since she is a runner herself.
Screenwriter- Nelson Greaves
He knew he wanted to become a screenwriter after college. Once he found this out he started working in film with his friends . In his words, “I sit in front of a computer and type for about 14 hours a day.”
He gave advice to the students to write about things that make you uncomfortable because it could get them out of their comfort zone. He wrote the screenplay for the movie Unfriended and wrote for the show Joe Picket (which aired on Paramount+).
Community Engagement and Outreach Librarian- Nydya Mora
When she was picking her career she didn’t want anything to do with being a librarian at first and she got her masters degree for design architecture. When she was trying to get a job it was difficult but she entered a library and asked if they were hiring or taking volunteers. So has been working with the Los Angeles library for two years.
Social Worker- Alberto Corona
Alberto Corona started working as a social worker seven years ago after getting a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at CSUN. For five years he worked for the county’s Department of Child and Family Services answering emergency calls, which is where someone can report any concerns about a child’s safety or health.
After five years he transferred into extended foster care, helping people who were 18-21 that were in foster care to get them off the streets, help with rent, college, get a job, and improve their health.
Social workers at the start of their career with a bachelor’s degree earn about $50,000 a year and with a masters degree they start at about $70,000 to 100,000 a year.
Karate Instructor- Sensei Ford
He works at a place called Kaizen Dojo in Torrance California. He started doing karate in 1974 at the age of seven years old and was able to become a black belt at age 13 after taking the tests in order to pass. In the 80’s he wanted to become an actor so he auditioned for Karate Kid Three but got rejected. Later in his adult life he got called back for Cobra Kai season 6 to be one of the henchmen.
He started teaching in 2002 but later stopped in 2008 because his daughter was born. In later years he started teaching again: his wife would work days and when she came back from work he would go teach the classes. In his adult life he’s worked about 35 jobs to get by. He never likes to go to work in a bad mood so his students wouldn’t get influenced. He teaches five classes a day and works about five hours making it about one hour each class.
USMC Veteran and Tax Account- Sandra Chavez
She served in the United States Marine Corps for four years, being recruited by history teacher and Marine veteran Mr. Guardado.
First for six months she went to a boot camp where he got her into shape. She never liked running but during her physical strength test she got number seven out of 105 girls. She lost 10 pounds during her training. Sometimes she had to wake up at three in the morning to be picked up by a bus to go practice their shooting every six months.
After her four years in the Marines she left and went to a community college, then transferred to CSUN. She would get paid about $3,000 dollars a month to attend school which was being paid for fully. She makes over $120,000 a year now as a tax accountant and was able to spend time with her friends and dogs since she was able to work from home. Her college professors connected her with clients when she was starting off as a tax accountant.
Voice Over Actor- Andrew Rancho
He gave advice saying to stay in school since it could give you good opportunities in life. He has never stopped learning – he has taught himself how to make his own productions, edit, write, and direct. He has failed multiple times but he kept teaching himself so he could get better.
After college at Syracuse University (with longtime friend and teacher Mr. Finer) and a long search for a job he was able to get an internship to start his career with a show called “Robot Chicken.” Since then, he was worked on many productions for places like Comedy Central and has done voice overs for video games and TV commercials. He described how acting is a self employment business.
