It started with a love for doodling, an interest in art from a young age. Like any compelling narrative, Andrea Diaz-Vaughn’s life unfolded in the context of family, journeys, and discoveries. Andrea’s “career fit” emerged when she met a classmate in a college photography class who introduced her to theories of graphic design. From there, her...
Before Dina Samson was a Los Angeles restaurateur, she built a career in finance, and held roles in marketing and branding supporting some of the most recognizable names in celebrity culture. Dina eventually followed her chef husband into the food and beverage industry. Along the way she’s opened acclaimed restaurants in Southern California and co...
What’s an auto mechanic in modern society—probably one of the most important people in our car-dependent lives and economy. Increasingly, automotive professionals who diagnose both simple and complicated engine troubles, specialize in technologically advanced systems, and keep our vehicles running for many more miles than we...
It may seem unorthodox: schools targeting more students playing video games as a measure of success. But in Downey Unified, educators and industry partners are hyped about growing numbers of young people coming out for gaming competitions, known as Esports. My guests on this episode of Future Groove talk about students’ deepening engagement in...
Bayha Group, led by CEO June Bayha, has worked with Downey schools for eight years to reimagine the ways we connect teens to internships, industry mentors and long-term employment. Along the way, youth are picking up important workplace skills—a work ethic, professional appearance, and financial literacy in the real world—-along with...
Downey Unified has spent years building Career Technical Education programs that connect students to their interests, and ultimately to tangible industry certifications and college and career pathways. The CTE vision can’t happen without support and direction from high school leaders who have taken their own winding journeys to current job roles...
From aerospace to earthquake retrofitting and auto manufacturing, welders give structure to our world with their creations. My guests on this episode of Future Groove are a pair of veteran welders who took different professional paths before joining Downey Unified’s growing Career Technical Education program. Team teachers Bryan Mazariegos and...
Now in his 31st year as an educator, Downey Unified Superintendent John Garcia reflects on what ‘legacy mode’ means to him, and how public schools can stay relevant in preparing students to thrive in our digital economy. A Downey High graduate, he’s the first alum to take the helm of the district. Dr. Garcia’s scholarly background prepared him...
The machine shops at Cerritos College showcase some of the modern world’s most advanced systems. They’re training welders, machinists, automotive technologists, composite manufacturers, all for jobs Southern California holds in design thinking and user experiences, and endless opportunity for entrepreneurial pursuits. As enrollment at the state’s...
For decades, schools sorted students based on rigid ideas about aptitude: young people were either college-bound scholars or vocational tradespeople. On this episode of Future Groove, we talk with Stacy Cabrera and Kelly Cooper about programs underway that upend an out-dated approach. We’ll talk about a growing movement and communities of...
Entrepreneurs and tech up-and-comers bring fresh ideas to the fore that can benefit everyone. But gaining traction in the marketplace and buy-in from the government sector is a challenge. My guests on this episode of Future Groove are experts in brokering small business and government relations, and are here to share lessons learned from years...
It could be a family trauma, or high fashion, or therapeutic gardening – whatever the theme, young filmmakers are tapping into their personal stories guided by my guest on this episode of Future Groove. Documentarian Barbarella Fokos nurtures aspiring creatives in high schools as they learn to create with confidence and consider careers in the...