DVC Alumni: Where Every Story Inspires the Next!

From Philippines to Cybersecurity: Duane Leem's Journey

In this episode, meet Duane Leem, a first-generation student from the Philippines who has crafted a remarkable career in cybersecurity. From his early days in the Philippines to his journey through Guam, Pittsburgh, and ultimately the Bay Area, Duane shares how his passion for programming at DVC set the foundation for his successful path in the tech industry. Learn about his experiences, challenges, and the key moments that shaped his career, including the vital role DVC played in his lifelong learning journey. Whether you're interested in tech, education, or personal growth, Duane's story is sure to inspire.

Episode #27: Takeshi Kawata’s Quest: From Education to Esports Enthusiast

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2399596/open_sms] Join us for an insightful conversation with Takeshi Kawata, a passionate esports enthusiast and former DVC student, as he recounts his educational journey and his rise in the gaming world. From his roots in San Ramon and homeschooling days to becoming one of America's top 500 Heroes of the Storm players, Takeshi's story is one of resilience and determination. His transition from Diablo Valley College during the pandemic to UC Davis is filled with strategic decision-making, emotional college admissions moments, and a pivot towards a communications focus inspired by a pivotal journalism class. Takeshi opens up about his experiences navigating the uncertainties of college admissions, including the emotional highs and lows of being waitlisted by UCLA, and the role esports played in his life as a refuge from academic pressures. He shares how the inclusive nature of esports provided a community where he could thrive, even without traditional athletic prowess. Through his involvement at UC Davis, Takeshi illustrates how esports clubs foster a strong sense of belonging and competition, despite the challenges of limited funding in this burgeoning field. As we wrap up the episode, Takeshi delves into his career aspirations within the esports industry, from coaching and management to broadcasting and teaching. His passion for games like League of Legends and Valorant fuels his ambition to work with industry giants like Riot Games. Additionally, he reflects on the importance of networking and self-promotion in an industry that's still defining itself. Tune in to hear Takeshi's unique perspective on esports and discover how you can connect with him online as TKStarStorm. Thank you for tuning in. If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps us bring you more inspiring stories from the DVC community. Stay connected with us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and upcoming episodes. Have a story to share or a topic you’d like us to cover? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you! Until next time, keep pushing boundaries, embracing connections, and navigating your own path to success. DVC Alumni: Where every story inspires the next.

Episode #29 From France to Belgium to Berkeley: A Legal Aspirant’s Story

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2399596/open_sms] Join us as we uncover the incredible story of Mansour, an ambitious international student navigating his journey from the borders of France and Belgium to the prestigious halls of UC Berkeley. Mansour's narrative is rich with cultural intricacies and personal challenges that shaped his desire to pursue a career in law. Discover how he overcame language barriers, adapted to a new educational system, and found his calling for social justice through unwavering familial support, resilience, and determination. In this episode, Mansour shares moving anecdotes about his family's sacrifices and the lessons he's learned about hard work and advocacy. He speaks candidly about his early experiences at Diablo Valley College and the sense of isolation he felt during the COVID-19 pandemic, illustrating how these moments drove him to become a student ambassador and engaged community member. As he currently works with the Oakland City Attorney’s Office, Mansour outlines his aspirations to become a judge, emphasizing the important role legal professionals can play in advocating for marginalized communities. Tune in to be inspired by Mansour's journey and hear how he passionately strives to create positive change in the world around him. His story serves as a poignant reminder that with perseverance, determination, and a vision for justice, anything is possible. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to support more narratives like Mansour's! If you'd like to connect with Mansour find him on LinkedIn  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mansour-taleb-ahmed-3b4a87299/] Thank you for tuning in. If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps us bring you more inspiring stories from the DVC community. Stay connected with us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and upcoming episodes. Have a story to share or a topic you’d like us to cover? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you! Until next time, keep pushing boundaries, embracing connections, and navigating your own path to success. DVC Alumni: Where every story inspires the next.

Episode # 28: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Job Market Challenges: Estie Briggs on Emotional Intelligence and Career Growth

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2399596/open_sms] Estie Briggs, our esteemed guest and emotional intelligence coach, shares her invaluable insights into conquering imposter syndrome, especially in high-pressure environments like the construction industry. Ever wondered how to navigate the emotional turbulence of job searching or how to build confidence in your professional life? Estie’s journey, sparked by a self-assessment during her organizational development studies, led her to specialize in helping individuals overcome these very challenges. Her upcoming workshop promises strategies to combat imposter syndrome, focusing on stepping out of comfort zones and the critical, albeit uncomfortable, art of networking. Job hunting can be an emotional rollercoaster, but maintaining self-assurance and perspective is key. As we explore this terrain, we underscore the importance of recognizing your own value and determining whether a company truly merits your skills. Personal stories highlight the significance of experience in identifying mismatches and the necessity of a good fit with potential employers. Estee encourages listeners to approach career transitions with optimism, weighing self-belief against realistic expectations, and taking inspiration from the idea that understanding your worth is as essential as finding the right role. For those contemplating a career change, Estie provides practical advice on identifying transferable skills and the concept of job crafting. Drawing from Amy Wrzesniewski’s work, she emphasizes mastery, autonomy, and purpose as fundamental to job satisfaction. We also recommend tools like the Designing Your Life workbook to help you uncover tasks that energize or drain you, enabling you to pursue your true passions. Discover how to stay informed and connected with upcoming events through Estee’s website, ensuring you have the resources needed for navigating imposter syndrome, job searching, and career transitions successfully. Here's a coupon code that gives DVC alumni (and students) 100% off - this is just for DVC peeps. https://briggsperformanceconsulting.thrivecart.com/overcoming-imposter-syndrome/?coupon=FANDF100 [https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbriggsperformanceconsulting.thrivecart.com%2Fovercoming-imposter-syndrome%2F%3Fcoupon%3DFANDF100&data=05%7C02%7Ccdaly595%40dvc.edu%7C2aaca510e7ec40e445a108dd5228bbce%7Cc354694acce5489fb2a3a2a9d26e0c3f%7C0%7C0%7C638757057109569333%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=whTaTUxMg7vOjuNEhK1xYqkKjrPlDyApDQqbtlZGAd0%3D&reserved=0] Here's a link you can share with all the other people. :) This one has 20% off. https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbriggsperformanceconsulting.thrivecart.com%2Fovercoming-imposter-syndrome%2F%3Fcoupon%3DEQTRADES&data=05%7C02%7Ccdaly595%40dvc.edu%7C2aaca510e7ec40e445a108dd5228bbce%7Cc354694acce5489fb2a3a2a9d26e0c3f%7C0%7C0%7C638757057109589110%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uLbYdiG2Yj24oEGu2681gFP9wsnbd%2BXrazLqk7Dg57Q%3D&reserved=0 Thank you for tuning in. If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps us bring you more inspiring stories from the DVC community. Stay connected with us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and upcoming episodes. Have a story to share or a topic you’d like us to cover? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you! Until next time, keep pushing boundaries, embracing connections, and navigating your own path to success. DVC Alumni: Where every story inspires the next.

Episode #26: From Law Enforcement to Corporate Success: Julianna Verde’s Inspiring Transition and Educational Impact

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2399596/open_sms] Discover the incredible journey of Julianna Verde, a dynamic professional who seamlessly juggles teaching managerial accounting at Diablo Valley College with a remote role at Sony PlayStation. Julianna's story is one of transformation, from her initial pursuit of a medical career to finding her true passion in business. Her path led her through a series of educational institutions, culminating in a successful career at Leapfrog. But what does it take to transition from a structured law enforcement environment to the fast-paced corporate world? Get ready to be inspired as Julianna shares her experiences navigating the corporate ladder at Sony, where she transitioned from law enforcement to sales operations. With the encouragement of a supportive mentor, she returned to Diablo Valley College for further education, ultimately earning her master’s degree. Julianna's dedication to learning and education shines through as she reflects on the impactful professors who inspired her to teach, revealing the profound influence of education on her career trajectory. Embark on a journey across Latin America with Julianna as she manages supply chains and embraces cultural encounters. From language barriers to amusing anecdotes, her adaptability and resilience in international business stand out. Inspired by her partner and the vibrant Diablo Valley College community, Julianna embraced teaching amidst industry uncertainties. Her story underscores the transformative power of education, leaving listeners encouraged by her unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth. Thank you for tuning in. If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps us bring you more inspiring stories from the DVC community. Stay connected with us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and upcoming episodes. Have a story to share or a topic you’d like us to cover? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you! Until next time, keep pushing boundaries, embracing connections, and navigating your own path to success. DVC Alumni: Where every story inspires the next.