What does the future look like when students get to learn directly from those already living it? On April 7, 2026, CRSM hosted its Career Conversations event, made even more meaningful by the presence of alumni who returned to support and inspire current students. Their participation highlights the lasting impact of the Corporate Work Study Program and the strength of the CRSM community.
Marco Toledo, a member of the Class of 2019, now works at Emerson in content marketing. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “You don’t have to have everything figured out right now. What matters is staying open, gaining experience, and taking advantage of the opportunities in front of you.”
Yisel Acosta, also a 2019 graduate and now an Account Development Representative at Sherwin-Williams, spoke candidly about her experience. “When I was in high school, I didn’t know what I wanted,” she said. “But now, with experience in the field, I hope I can help current students see themselves in a future career.”
Both alumni emphasized how meaningful it was to return. Yisel shared that coming back felt like a full circle moment and an opportunity to give back to students who are now in the same position she once was.
In addition to Marco and Yisel, CRSM was proud to welcome back alumni Ada Rios, Ana Palomo, Heriberto Alcaide, Jessica Luvianos, Kasandra Camarena, and Vanessa Bahena, who also volunteered their time to support students during the event.
The event also brought together professionals from a wide range of respected organizations across healthcare, marketing, IT, logistics, manufacturing, education, and public service. These volunteers generously shared their time, experiences, and advice, helping students better understand the many paths available to them after high school.
Through CWSP and experiences like Career Conversations, students can connect with professionals who once walked the same halls and with partners who actively support their growth. As David Ortega, Senior Project Manager at JGMA, shared with students, “You don’t need to have everything figured out right now. Careers grow and change as you do. Follow what interests you, even if it’s just a small spark. That’s often where the best opportunities start.” He also emphasized the importance of teamwork and staying open to learning, noting that every experience, including mistakes, helps build toward future success. He hopes students see careers in design, engineering, and construction as opportunities to be creative, take on meaningful challenges, and shape the world around them.
We are grateful to all of our alumni, business partners, and volunteers for investing in the next generation of CRSM students.