Spotlights

These are the career stories of diverse individuals working in a variety of careers. Watch or read about what inspired them to pursue their career, what they were like growing up, what they love most about their career and more!

Ismael Villarreal
Ismael Villarreal is a design engineer for AdelWiggins Group, a small aerospace company based out of Commerce, CA.  AdelWiggins Group produces custom-designed products for fuel distribution systems, such as hoses, clamps and connectors.  They primarily sell their products to Boeing and Airbus, but also work with manufacturers like Embraer in Brazil and Leonardo in Italy. Villarreal, who has been at the company for about a year, works on mechanical components either by adjusting existing designs or creating brand new products. Because AdelWiggins is a smaller company, he… Read More
Claudia Salazar
Gladeo League reporter Katelyn Torres interviews Claudia Salazar about her job as Head of Asset Management. Claudia shares her story on how she made the leap from file clerk to an asset manager!
Alexxis Jackson Director of Photography
Alexxiss Jackson grew up in Detroit, Michigan and graduated with a duel Bachelor of Arts in Film/Video Studies and English from the University of Michigan. As a Director of Photography, she heads the camera, lighting and grip departments on a variety of productions, including films, commercials and music videos — which she also directs. Among her responsibilities are aspects of production like camera movement, camera angles, lighting, setting up shots and working with the Director to tell a story visually. Her work has been recognized at least 20 times from a number of… Read More
Media Planner Dentsu Aegis Network
Gladeo League reporter Katelyn Torres interviews Asha, Ralph, and Garrett about their career as media planners at Carat USA (Dentsu Aegis Network). Watch and learn! 
“One of my biggest motivators is setting a pipeline for women, specifically minorities, letting them know that the tech field is booming and we need to be apart of it.” Born and raised in Richmond, CA, Aurora Diaz grew up in a humble household where she would soon become the first person in her family to pursue a higher education. Growing up, she was very outspoken and outgoing which played towards her advantage as she spearheaded her marketing career. Guided by her personal interest in beauty, Aurora is currently the Marketing Development Specialist for Musely, a free beauty… Read More
Growing up, Katherine Hernandez Miller stopped in Hot Topic stores to browse their CD selection and get music recommendations from the staff. Now, Katherine has gone from being a customer at the music and pop culture retail chain to working for them as the company’s social media manager. Overseeing the brand’s social media platforms, Katherine spends her time brainstorming creative and fun ways to engage with and grow Hot Topic and its sister stores’ online following. Using apps like Snapchat and Instagram, Katherine is the woman behind the posts Hot Topic fans like and share. … Read More