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Excitement was buzzing as mentors and their mentees walked into the lobby of Taco Bell Headquarters on March 5, 2017. Big Brothers Big Sisters hosted Career Day at the restaurant chain’s corporate office in Irvine for high school age youth in the program to learn about different opportunities available to them post-high school, from education to enlistment to employment.

[/fwp-anim-text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image image=”4473″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]Upon check-in, matches were invited to explore informational tables from Santa Ana College, CSUF, UCI, UCLA, US Marine Corps, CREW Orange County and Taller San Jose Hope Builders. Representatives from each organization were there to answer questions and offer resources to interested Littles.
[/fwp-anim-text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=”” el_id=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image image=”4472″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]Taco Bell’s employee lounge was also open for matches to enjoy a game of pool, foosball or pop-a-shot basketball. Matches captured the fun on Snapchat using a custom Career Day geofilter.
[/fwp-anim-text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=”” el_id=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image image=”4471″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]The highlight of the day, a motivational speaker series offered insight into various journeys to success. The first series focused on college readiness. Marie Crosson and Amalia Garcia broke down the obstacles and hesitations most students have regarding college with reassuring advice and relatable experiences.

Up next, David Geist of Emcor discussed the benefits of trade school or apprenticeships for those looking to go straight into the workforce after high school, highlighting the difference between a job and a career.

Concluding the speaker series, Captain Carlos Dubon of the Marine Corps inspired both mentors and mentees to work hard and never quit when it comes to achieving their dreams. [/fwp-anim-text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=”” el_id=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image image=”4470″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]Lunch was catered by Taco Bell, of course, and featured a raffle of Disney tickets and a tablet followed by keynote speaker Jesus Gutierrez. A UCLA alumni and the 2014 California Teacher of the Year, Jesus shared the numerous setbacks he had to overcome to get where he is today.

At the end of the day, mentees left hopeful and ready for what their futures hold.
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Career Day is part of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Destination Future initiative, which aims to ensure every child in the program has the support and resources to pursue a path that will allow them to earn a living wage by age 25. Learn more about Destination Future at ocbigs.org.

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