Rose Kochanek

Major/Minor: Animation

Where Are You Now:

• Intern at animation libation studios-animator and background lead.
• Started own business and attending art events centered in California.

Plans for the Future:

Hopefully self-employed! Maybe started my own studio?

How B2F Helped: The support was great, it helped me figure out my passion and let me thrive for my dreams. Without B2F I don’t think I would have had the balls to start my own business and pursue art professionally.

Aaron Carrera

Major/Minor: Political Science

Where Are You Now:

• May attend graduate school to achieve a master's in political science and/or possibly go to law school.
• Interning for Council member Bob Blumenfield of the Los Angeles City Council as a Constituent Case Worker and Field Deputy Assistant.

• Spent a week at Lake Arrowhead and planning to visit Japan for 3 weeks (provided the border opens).
• Currently exploring potential opportunities for voice acting.

Plans for the Future:

I may attend grad school and/or law school later in life. Currently exploring what my bachelor's degree can do as I see myself making a meaningful contribution to my local communities through political work. I don't see a particular path as I'm keeping an open mind to what the future may hold. Most of all, I want to make change, whether it's politically/legislatively, physically (as in making improvements to local infrastructure), or culturally. I see myself working diligently working towards as even higher education, local or state-based politics, and perhaps starting a family with the right person.

How B2F Helped: - The financial assistance provided from B2F has afforded me immense relief in knowing that I don't possess the same level of educational debt as the average college alumni. As a result I feel as ift I have greater freedom to explore at my own pace what my degree can achieve. I'm still finding myself in a sort of transition period as I explore my options but overall remain satisfied with my college experience and remain optimistic for the future. B2F remains a distinct and admirable program as it provided a clear path to my graduation through its immense resources, staff, and atmosphere/environment it foster.

Andrea Vaquerano

Major/Minor: Psychology & Sociology

Where Are You Now:

• I work as a behavior interventionist at a high school.

Plans for the Future:

I plan to work at my current employment or something similar for about 2 years and decide afterwards if I would like to go for my masters in either ABA psychology or possibly in teaching.

How B2F Helped: I could not have gotten through college without b2f, the emotional and scholarly advice was such a big help. The sense of a built-in family on campus made the whole thing so much less daunting. The program and specifically the impact that B2F had on all of us scholars really helped me to see that what I want to do in the future is help kids achieve their goals.

Jonathan Navarette

Major/Minor: Professional Accountancy & Economics

Where Are You Now:

•I am working as a Tax Associate at BDO USA, LLP, a large multinational accounting firm. Before becoming a Tax Associate, I interned with BDO Summer 2020 and again 6 months during 2021. I also interned at a local tax accounting firm for almost two years since 2019. The name is Saffer & Flint Accountancy Corp. I always believed that starting early is very important. That is why I tried very hard to obtain experience before graduating.

Plans for the Future:

I hope to obtain my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license very soon, within a year most likely. And 5-10 years from now I wish to be a Tax Manager or Tax Director.

How B2F Helped: Yes, of course. The B2F has provided me with guidance and support related to academic advisement, homework, letters of recommendation, or simply be there for me to have a conversation to express myself. The B2F team have been my mentors from day one.

Citlaly Padilla

Major/Minor: Family and Consumer Science (Family Studies) & Human Lactation and CADV

Where Are You Now:

• Planning on doing CSUN Accelerated BSN Nursing program.
• Working as a COVID 19 Collector and Admin for LAUSD.
• Working at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital as a CNA in Med Surg Unit.

Plans for the Future:

I see myself in 5 years being a Labor and Delivery RN as well as an aesthetician. Once I get my bedside experience for a year I would like to become a traveling nurse. Once I get to travel and get everything settled down I will start my little family.

How B2F Helped: If it wasn't for Bridge to the Future and the help I received throughout my undergrad years I wouldn’t be where I am now. After graduating from CSUN I was still able to receive tutoring services for my nursing school science pre req classes. Getting that ongoing support even after graduating is nice to have because you don't feel lost.

Verae Bonam-Dawson

Major/Minor: Financial Analysis & Economics

Where Are You Now:

• I want to come back to CSUN to get my single subject teaching credential for math, and possibly go to graduate school to earn a master’s in statistics.
• I am currently working at Canoga Park High School as a 9th grade Math teachers
• Starting a family.

Plans for the Future:

In the future I see myself raising my children, working as a high school math teacher and soon after hopefully getting my master’s in statistics and becoming a professor of statistics.

How B2F Helped: Bridge to the Future has supported me immensely, and I don't think I would be where I am today if it weren't for the program. They kept me on track to graduate, David encouraged me to strive to one day become a math professor, and they've provided me with the amazing opportunity to be able to give back to the program and support future generations of scholars just as they've supported me.

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Bridge to the Future

Cohort 1 Alumni

Rose Kochanek

Aaron Carrera

Jonathan Navarette

Citlaly Padilla

Verae Bonam-Dawson

Scholars