Stephen Quintero:  

- Tuesdays with Morrie, As A Man Thinketh. Workplace will share this much, my life has been blessed with many career opportunities. Each job brought some sense of fullfillment whether it be experience, friendship, fun, knowledge or skill. From my first job as a Progress Bulletin newspaper delivery boy in Pomona to my current job as a counselor within the Visitor Center at Cal Poly Pomona, each has provided some sense of joy with rewards. In 2001, I decided to change my career focus. In my heart, I knew intercollegiate athletics and journalism were not in my future plans professionally because of the time it consumed in my personal life. Working nights, holidays, weekends, extensive travel with only summers off. Being that I wanted to establish a long-term relationship with the hopes of starting a family, I knew change was necessary. Thus, I went to work as an Administrative Assistant in the Vice President for Student Affairs. Eventhough I took a 50% pay cut, it gave me an opportunity to evaluate my options. Thankfully, in exploring my options, I was able to realize my natural gifts and skills - great listener, compassionate, problem solver, positive attitude and a zest for life. As a result, a position at the university became available that interested me - counselor within the Visitor Center at Cal Poly Pomona. There I would work with prospective students, K-college, interested in attending college. I would get to work with children, teens, adults, seniors, groups, special guests. It was an opportunity to be positive, informative, joyful, playful and be a mentor and guidance counselor to many diverse individuals. Lucky for me, I discovered there were more benefits, like my boss Jennifer. She is awesome! A good leader with great organization, ideas and energy. I also would get the chance to work with the best student assistants on campus. Student assistants with intelligence, great personalities, compassion, optimism, energy, leadership skills and, most of all, energy for life! I have an awesome group that has made this job a "home" and "playhouse". Everyone should have the chance to work in such a lively, interactive, rewarding, gratifying job such as this one. I even get to do motivational speeches, one on one counseling and provide leadership and mentoring skills to the staff and my peers on campus. It's all good in this hood.