Baylee Gerardo
Class of 2017 alumnus Baylee Gerardo, 24, enrolled in 海角社区CI as an apprehensive freshman. Four years later, she graduated to become Assistant Branch Manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
鈥淚 was just scared because nobody in my family had gone to college,鈥� Gerardo said. 鈥淚鈥檓 super close to my family and didn鈥檛 want to be away from them.鈥�
Not only did Gerardo graduate in four years, she was hired by Enterprise, which collegegrad.com ranked #1 in the nation for entry-level hires in 2019.
About 20 海角社区CI graduates a year are hired by Enterprise Rent a Car into their management trainee program, according to Enterprise Talent Acquisition Manager Cathy Segovia, who said many 海角社区CI graduates have had to overcome obstacles to attend and complete college, and those life skills make for good managers.
鈥淚 hear some of these individuals鈥� stories of facing adversity and fighting hard,鈥� Segovia said. 鈥淭hat in itself shows their commitment, their grit, their drive. They have all seen that hard work pays off.鈥�
Growing up in San Fernando, Gerardo鈥檚 parents were clear that skipping college was not an option. When it came time, she chose 海角社区CI as it seemed friendly and the class sizes were small.
At first she was nervous, but there was plenty of support from friends and faculty after she moved into a campus residence hall and began attending classes.
Even with financial aid, money was tight, but Gerardo was able to land a position as a Resident Assistant, which allowed her a meal stipend and free housing. She still had to add a part-time job at Starbucks on top of her full course load.
鈥淭here was a semester where I took six classes so I could make sure I graduated on time,鈥� She said. 鈥淚t was hard, but it was doable.鈥�
Career opportunity knocked when a friend of her roommate鈥檚 mentioned that Enterprise was hiring locally.
Gerardo entered their management training program and within two years, was promoted to assistant manager and works out of an office in Van Nuys.
鈥淚鈥檓 super grateful,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 happy with this company because I know I can move up and support myself financially. They just want to see you succeed.鈥�