Every day at 4:00 a.m., Juan Salazar wakes up to begin a life defined by ambition, family, and purpose. A first-generation college student and father of two daughters, Juan spent years working in manual labor before deciding to re-engineer his future. Driven by a lifelong love of sci-fi and the belief that we are currently living in the fourth industrial revolution where technology once seen on TV, is now real, he set his sights on a new career in mechatronics and electrical engineering.
Balancing a demanding life requires extraordinary flexibility. Juan works full-time at a medical device manufacturing company from 5:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., coaches youth jiu-jitsu, and then heads to Saddleback College for afternoon classes. Saddleback’s adaptable scheduling allows him to gain cutting-edge experience in CAD, 3D printing, and CNC machining without sacrificing his income or time with his family.
At Saddleback, Juan discovered more than just flexible courses; he found a community of mentors who genuinely invest in his success. Instructors describe him as an ideal, inquisitive student who seeks deep understanding rather than quick shortcuts. He’s received guidance and gained the confidence he needs to chart a clear path toward his bachelor’s degree.
For Juan, community college is the crucial bridge between dreaming of working with robotics and actually building new innovations.