Nathan Tran, our 2019 recipient of the Carol Phan Memorial College Scholarship, has graduated from Pomona College cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Politics with a minor in History.
I’m pretty sure Nathan will do his best to make a major impact in this world! 🙂
Go here to read Nathan’s winning scholarship submission.
Below, Nathan writes about his experiences at college and his plans for the future.
Truth be told, I have been putting off this update for so long because I’m still in denial. Four amazing years at Pomona College, one and a half of which were entirely virtual, all of which were life-changing. I found friends, learned lessons, and, of course, made memories. Now that I’m done at Pomona, I know that all these friends, lessons, and memories might be scattered apart by time and space. On the bright side, I know that I won’t ever forget them – and in the case of the friends, most of them are just a call, text, or email away.
Now, I look towards a heck of a future. I just started working for AFSCME Local 3299, a union comprised of workers throughout the UC system. Specifically, I represent over one thousand employees of UCSF Mission Bay, one of the largest hospitals and biotechnology campuses in the nation. These employees range everywhere from security guards and custodians to hospital technicians and radiologists, but regardless of their career path, income level, or personal background, I learn every single day that every single worker is essential for keeping our healthcare system afloat.
The work is tough, for sure. I find myself pushing into 10, even 12 hour days, and I’m doing my best to keep a healthy work-life balance. I’m really lucky that San Francisco, despite all the doom-and-gloom news surrounding it, is, at its core, a fun city full of friendly people. I’ve befriended people at the gym, at bar trivia, and even at bus stops, not to mention the dozens of Claremont Colleges alumni who also live and work in the Bay Area – including my roommates! In addition to staying rooted in my new community, however, I keep myself motivated by remembering why I’m doing this work: the workers I work for always deserve a better life, be it through pushing for better treatment by their managers, or through negotiating a better contract with the UC system, or through the countless other ways in which they are empowered by their union.
On top of that, I keep myself grateful for all the people who have been supporting me through high school, college, the job application process, and now through adult life. ForCarol is just one part of this support network. I’m really proud to be part of this unique network, and no matter where I am, I’ll always be rooting for my future scholarship recipients!
Drive Safe! Never Forget.
ForCarol: Drive Safe! Never Forget 