Success — Lives Transformed

Elena Hernandez

My parents were migrant farm workers migrating back and forth to Mexico following the harvest. When the harvest season started, my parents would leave us children behind in Mexico under the care of my grandparents. It was hard growing up without our parents, but it was our way of life. Eventually, I dropped out of school and followed in my parents' footsteps following the crops.

In the early years, I started working with a good company. I worked with the same company for several years cutting and packing lettuce. It was hard work with long hours, but I was young and my body strong. Then the company closed down. I found new employment with another company. The working conditions were poor. We did not have the protection of a union. We worked 12 hours a day for minimum wages and no benefits. By now, I had married and had a family. Both my husband and I were farm workers. We worked long hours for low wages and it had become a struggle for us to get ahead.

One day as I opened my unemployment claim at the EDD office, I realized I had to get out of the fields. I saw a pamphlet that described CET. I told my husband I needed an opportunity to better myself. I wanted to offer something better to my children. My husband agreed and supported my interest in returning to school.

In 1986 I enrolled at CET in Salinas in the Automated Office Skills Program. CET opened the doors for me, it was the opportunity I had hoped for. I could dream of a better future for family, especially my children. I finished my training and got a good job at the Emergency Medical Clinic. I remained at that job for 8 years. I am now employed at California Rural Legal Assistance Corporation, doing something I have always wanted to do, help people, especially those in need. I earn $25,000 a year as an Administrative Assistant. My experience at CET helped me grow as I never imagined I could. I would like to offer my experiences at CET as a motivational tool to encourage others to seek an opportunity for a better life.

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