Disabled students get real life inspiration

NORWALK - Eleven disabled Cerritos College students attended the national Disability Mentoring Day hosted at City Hall in downtown L.A. last week.The event provided students with an opportunity to network with employers and professionals with disabilities. "Disability Mentoring Day gives our students a glimpse of various career opportunities and connects them with a mentor who helps and guides them in their future career goals," said Aurora Segura, Disabled Students Programs and Services counselor at Cerritos College, who accompanied the students along with fellow counselor Steve La Vigne. Participating students were matched with a mentor in their area of career interest and visited their mentor's place of employment including the Bureau of Engineering, Code Enforcement & Compliance, Department of Cultural Arts, Office of the City Clerk of Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles Police Department and the Port of San Pedro. Students spend the day receiving hands-on career exploration, job shadowing and mentoring. At 4 p.m., they returned to City Hall and enjoyed a dinner catered by Olive Garden. This year, one of the attending Cerritos College student's Martha La Madrid's art was displayed at City Hall as part of an art exhibit by artists with disabilities. Students who participated include Franklin Tapia, Autum Mahabir, Elizabeth Pezone, Erick Farias, Martha La Madrid, Antonio La Madrid, Miguel Rivera, Asia Chu, Leo Avalos, Anthony Guerrero and Frankie Jimenez.

********** Published: Oct. 24, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 28