included sheet metal, cannery, and construction workers.
The work is demanding. Professors are demanding. The
Others worked in manufacturing plants at IBM, FMC, and
financial burden is demanding. The rewards for those who
General Electric. During the early 1980s, many of those
persevere are limitless. It changed the quality of life for
companies still operated in the valley and most of the
my family forever. It could do the same for your family. For
neighborhood kids followed their parents into the workforce.
those weighing the pros and cons of embarking on a life driven by education, here are a few thoughts:
By the time I graduated from high school, the economy was in the full throes of change. The electronics manufacturing
Students
jobs that many relied upon were shipped to other parts
Stay in school! Take your classes seriously. Good work and
of the country and overseas. Instead of complaining and
good grades matter. There’s plenty of time to have fun with
waiting for the jobs to come back, my parents insisted we
your friends after school and homework are done. A job or
seek higher education. With not much more than a few
a career might be the last thing on your to mind. You don’t
years of high school between them, they understood that a
have to worry about that now. Just keep working hard in
college degree would be our ticket to a stable future.
school and you will have more opportunities in the future.
By the time my youngest sister completed her college
Parents
studies, the six of us earned a total of nine under-graduate
When your kids start talking about going to college, be
and post-graduate degrees. My brothers and sisters and
open-minded. My oldest daughter graduated from college
I had taken on the economic changes head on. We found
this spring and her younger sister is a sophomore in
work in education, business, politics, and community
college. Their academic interests are different. One went to
service. We opened the door so that our own children
school in Los Angeles and the other studies in New York.
could understand the value education plays in whatever
At first, my wife and I didn’t like the idea of them being
future economy they may face. My parents’ grandchildren
so far away. As Latino parents who went to college in the
are well on their way. They have earned ten college degrees
same town where we grew up, it was hard to let them go.
among themselves.
We supported them anyway. We now realize that allowing them to grow has set them on track to take advantage of
My family’s story is Visión’s story. For five years, the pages
the many opportunities that will come their way.
of this magazine have served to inspire those seeking a better way of life. It’s been an indescribable honor being part
When César Chávez shared his visionary thoughts in San
of this amazing team of writers and publishing executives.
Francisco on that fall evening in 1984, he had no idea that
With this platform, I have been able to share my thoughts
education would inspire a magazine like Visión to take
on education and hopefully given readers an opportunity to
readers on an exciting journey celebrating the successes
ponder the meaning of education in their lives.
of our community. We need to keep telling the stories that lift up families working toward a better life. We need to hear
Latinos are headed for uncertain times. The divisions in our
and share your stories to pay forward the feelings of hope
nation today have impacted the way we view ourselves
and optimism for a brighter future. I am staying on for the
and others view our community. When the worthiness of
ride. I hope you will join me.
a distinguished federal judge born in Indiana is questioned because of his Mexican heritage, many in our community may give pause and wonder if pursuing an education is even worth the trials and tribulations that come along for the arduous educational journey. The answer is unequivocally, “yes.” A college education is worth it. Attending and finishing college is a tough road.
............................................................................................. Eddie García is a leadership development coach who has worked with over 80 Silicon Valley education administrators, community leaders, non-profit executives, corporate managers, and elected officials. He is the creator of ESEReport.com, a blog that comments on leadership, education, and politics from a Latino perspective. He served on the Board of Trustees for the East Side Union High School District in San Jose from 2006-2010. His career also includes leadership roles as a corporate executive, political chief of staff, and community advocate.
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