During his time at University of the Pacific, Luis Perez '19 was an Applied Mathematics major and Powell Scholar. He was also involved in the Integrated Development Group and the Pacific Volunteer Center, which he credits for helping him grow as a leader. However, following graduation he faced the same employment challenges that many recent college graduates are struggling with during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After graduation, Perez held various positions, including working at the Pacific Volunteer Center and being a substitute teacher. When schools shut down in March 2020 he was out of a job, so he began to do private tutoring to help with the distance learning process, specifically focusing on college-level mathematics. Companies that were hiring during the beginning of COVID-19 were not looking for his specific set of skills, but that did not stop him from temporarily getting a job at Amazon so he could continue to look for full-time employment.

Perez registered and attended Pacific’s Virtual Career Fair in the hopes of finding full-time employment. He was able to schedule one-on-one meetings with the employers he was interested in to find out more information on their company.

“I really liked the virtual career fair due to the fact that you could schedule the one-on-one sessions,” said Perez. “I tried to sign up with all the employers that I was even vaguely interested in, and have questions prepared. I was able to do research on the companies and the individuals I would have my sessions with, and was able to tailor my questions to best use my time.”

Soon after the Virtual Career Fair, he was invited to an interview with JB Hunt and now has accepted an offer to be a Manager Trainee. Perez entered the United States at the age of seven and is the first in his family to have a college degree, and he is thankful his new employer respects this.

“Working a job which accepts my background and values diversity was important for me,” said Perez. “JB Hunt has been super accommodating and I am very thankful for it!”

Pacific’s spring Virtual Career and Internship Fair will be March 18, 2021, and is open to all current students and alumni.