Meet Our Employer Engagement Team

Jackie Sacoto

I serve as the Director of the Career Center at Pasadena City College. I am the proud daughter of immigrants and the first in my family to graduate from college. When I started college, I wanted to pursue a career in the health field. This interest was born when I went on a field trip to Kaiser Permanente as a middle school student and learned about the shortage of Spanish-speaking medical professionals in the Inland Empire. This inspired me to pursue a career where I can make a difference in my community. Then, when I was a junior in college, I participated in my first paid internship where I learned how to develop career exploration programs for other pre-health students. This is how I developed an interest in what we call “work-based learning” in education. Ever since then, I have worked in various roles that entail developing internship opportunities and other forms of career exploration activities for students.

I earned my B.A. in Psychology from UC Riverside and my M.S. in Higher Education Leadership and Student Development from CBU. In fall 2024, I will begin my Doctorate in Education program at CSULA. When I am not working, I enjoy going on sunset walks with my fur baby Kawaii, dining out with my loved ones, or keeping up with my favorite artist Karol G (#Bichota).

Where are you from? Fontana, California

What’s a PCC career community you have a connection with? Health Sciences and Wellness – I was a pre-med student in college and my dream career was to become a Pediatrician. I have also worked in a medical school and have experience advising students in the health professions.

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Noel Gonzalez

He/Him/Èl

I serve as one of two Internship Developers at the Freeman Career Center and have been with PCC on and off since 2020. I am a proud Chicano who comes from a low-income background and is the first in my family to attend and graduate college. I earned two Bachelor of Art degrees in Administration with concentrations in Marketing and Real Estate from California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). My interest in higher education began with my affiliation in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), becoming an Orientation Leader, working on-campus, and joining a Greek-lettered organization. Because of these experiences, I decided to further my education and pursue a graduate degree. I earned a Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs (PASA) from the University of Southern California (USC) #FightOn!. During my graduate studies, I found my passion for career services and providing guidance and support to help all students, especially students from historically excluded groups with their career development.

Outside of PCC, I enjoy binge-watching reality TV shows, listening to music, attending music festivals, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Where are you from? Originally, I am from the San Gabriel Valley, El Monte, CA; But now, I call the Inland Empire, Fontana, CA home.

What’s a PCC career community you have a connection with? Health Science & Wellness – I was a Pre-Nursing major in college and my dream was to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. I have also worked at a healthcare college and have experience advising students in the healthcare professions.

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Isabel Ochoa

she/ella

I serve PCC as an Internship Developer who promotes the importance of engaging with industry through work-based learning opportunities like participating in internships and conducting informational interviews. As the first in my family to go to college, I often found myself looking for support as I navigated community college and the transfer process but did not know the “right” questions to ask. I found the most helpful folks were at the career center as they not only took the time to explain what all those work-based learning strategies were but empowered me to continue to be curious, engage in the strategies, and helped me build my own confidence in making decisions about my career.

Now I work with employers to promote paid internship opportunities to our students at PCC, help students engage in internships, facilitate opportunities for students to learn about what the world of work is like via our Diversity Career Panel Series and build community on campus.

Where are you from? Victorville, CA

Languages? English and Spanish

What’s a PCC career community you have a connection with? I have a connection to Business and Industry as I grew up helping out at my family’s small business where I was a sales and customer service person, office manager, and accountant all in 1! Thanks to this experience, I developed an entrepreneurial mindset that has been so helpful in my internships and career.

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Gerardo Garcia Jr.

I’m a first-generation Mexican/Salvadoran, currently navigating my own higher education journey as I work towards my bachelor’s degree in Project Management and Organizational Leadership at Arizona State University. Here on campus, I serve as your Job Developer at the Freeman Career Center. My role mainly involves coordinating, vetting, communicating with, and reaching out to employers to ensure their opportunities reach you!

This role is important to me because I have seen firsthand how much employers value the talent at PCC and consistently seek to connect with our Lancer community. Not all opportunities are great opportunities, so rest assured that I am here to ensure the employers we work with align with PCC’s values.

Outside of work, I love producing music, cooking, and exploring the outdoors. I bring 10 years of experience in social services and workforce development, having supported underserved communities throughout LA County. This includes working with youth in foster care, families affected by domestic abuse, and individuals facing housing insecurity.

I look forward to working with you and helping you connect with meaningful employment opportunities!

Where are you from? Palmdale, CA

What’s a PCC career community you have a connection with? I have a deep passion for food, arts, music, and entertainment. Because of my own aspirations to make my creative endeavors a main source of income, I am determined to support and guide students in making their dreams a reality, whether it’s by starting their own business as an artist or finding a career that aligns with their creative passions.

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