Christian Perez
San Diego Humane Society
San Diego, CA USA
"At the end of the day, it’s your own emotions and your own experiences that you carry with you your whole life. If you aren’t doing what you’re passionate about because of other people, then you aren’t truly living for yourself."
Career Roadmap
Christian's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Environment & Nature, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
When I was applying to graduate school, I naively thought that it would be easy because I had already been through undergrad. It was crushing to have my top school of choice reject me. I just had to believe in the process and believe that everything would work out. It did and I still got into a great school.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics
University of California-Irvine
Graduate Degree
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
University of San Diego
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Was diagnosed with a learning disability when he was in sixth grade and told that he would likely never make it to college—says this was his main motivation to succeed and prove everyone wrong.
2.
Attended the University of California, Irvine (UCI), where he got his bachelor’s degree in cognitive psychology with minors in biological sciences and education.
3.
He was the co-founder of UCI’s student chapter of Eye to Eye, which advocates for students with learning disabilities and seeks to diminish the stigma.
4.
His first job out of college was working as a youth leader for YMCA of San Diego County.
5.
He has always had a love for animals, so he started volunteering at the San Diego Humane Society helping with admissions and other tasks at the shelter.
6.
This role eventually evolved into a full-time animal caregiver position—he provides the daily care to all of the shelter animals and helps ensure they get adopted into good homes.
7.
Later, he took on an additional role as a social media contributor, responsible for posting engaging Instagram content highlighting the inner workings of the shelter and the adoptable animals there.
8.
Inspired by his work with Eye to Eye in college, he is currently pursuing his master’s degree in education at the University of San Diego.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Teachers:
You aren't accepted to this school. You aren't what we are looking for.
How I responded:
When I was applying to graduate school, I naively thought that it would be easy because I had already been through undergrad. It was crushing to have my top school of choice reject me. I just had to believe in the process and believe that everything would work out. It did and I still got into a great school.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I was diagnosed with a learning disability when I was young and told I wouldn't make it through college. I used that doubt as my motivation. I co-founded the student chapter of Eye to Eye so that I could advocate for others like me.