Discover Our Students’ Experiences Through Their Own Words: Tondelaya Cannon

"I’m in my second year of taking online classes through El Centro College. I love the convenience of being able to do the work anytime it’s convenient to me. I can just jump online anytime I want to go to school. Between working full time and being with my family, running my sons around to football, basketball and track practice, I don’t have a lot of free time.

"I work full time for AT&T Communications. I have been working for the company since the late ’90s and recently decided that I want more than just a job; I want a career. I decided to go back to school and get a degree in Business Administration, and I knew online classes was the best option for me.

"Taking online classes has been a tremendous help to me in achieving my educational goals. I already had a full plate, but with online classes I am able to work on my assignments any time of the day. It gives me the freedom I need to be able to maintain my family life and my academic endeavors.

"Someday I’d like to have my own business — contracting out as a virtual administrative assistant, providing support services to small businesses. Getting my degree will take time, but I’m not going to give up."

Tondelaya Cannon, who has two teenage sons, is earning an associate degree in Business Administration through online learning.

A student with a red jacket poses for a photo in a downtown setting

Stephanie Gutierrez

Culinary Student

“At El Centro’s Culinary and Hospitality Institute, I’m learning how to plan a menu and use time management in the kitchen. Now with SkillsUSA, it’s teaching me to get where I want to go.”

Culinary and Pastry Arts

Albert Pantoja III

Senior Accountant American Home Mortgage Servicing

“My experience was really good; I learned a lot about different types of loans, underwriting and loan origination. The program gave us a broad overview from the get-go. I didn’t have any previous experience in mortgage banking at all, so it really helped me to prepare for changing jobs into the industry.”

Banking and Finance

Tammy White

Project Manager Verizon Telecom

“The most important thing I learned in my education was a sense of accomplishment and purpose, and that nothing is impossible as long as I am willing to expend the effort to reach my goals. I have been promoted a number of times in recent years, into positions of more and more responsibility as a direct result of my education.”

Business, Business and Management