choose to be

Choose to be is a mindset podcast by and for students. This podcast was created as a platform that aims to support students that don't have the generational knowledge or community to thrive in college or university. Being new to higher education can be an overwhelming challenge especially for non-traditional students. This can make it difficult to feel excited and optimistic about the future.

Choose to be was created to empower students to know they have the option to choose their future. To choose to be aware of the systemic barriers that contribute to the difficulty of a first-gen, non traditional student in higher education to transform a dream into a real plan. Choose to be celebrates identity and culture of students to amplify their unique skill sets that can create positive impact in their studies and larger communities.

Jackie Carrillo

class organizer

Keep a list of all of your class details in one handy place!

my secret to a 4.0

Jumpstart the semester with a class breakdown. (Warning: Your classmates will love you for having answers to their questions at your fingertips!)

academic journal

Where there is passion there is progress. Keep the passion alive by reflecting and setting realistic clear goals with the help of this worksheet.

Jackie's journey back to education at the age of 23 started at Las Positas College. She quickly distinguished herself by offering a helping hand to her classmates. She noticed there was no Latine representation within her school's student government and felt compelled to run for a position to represent students who shared her cultural identity. Through her efforts she was soon recognized as H.O.P.E.'s "Future Latina History Maker" at the 2022 Latina History Day Conference in Los Angeles. She received recognition from Mayor, Eric Garretti, and Los Angeles Country Board of Supervisors for her academic achievement and ability to create a positive impact in her community.

Jackie is currently an undergraduate student at University of California, Berkeley. She is a rising junior majoring in psychology, she holds two research apprentice positions in labs that support social and clinical research projects. Jackie is also a 2023 Summer Scholar for the National Science Foundation (NSF). She's interested in research that involves motivation, self esteem, and attribution. Her curiosity stems from her own experiences mentoring middle and high-school students who don't have supportive adults to lean on. Through her experiences with serving her community she became more curious about how she can better support young adults navigating their identity, familial challenges, and the education system. Jackie hopes to educate and empower nontrad students by sharing tools and experiences that set her up for a 4.0 and successful transfer to UC Berkeley.

Jackie Carrillo

chat with me!

choosetbpod@gmail.com