"Both the Career Pathways Program and Lisa Jackson opened doors and encouraged me to go further in my education than I ever imagined."
Alejandro Pinero had always admired police officers but lacked the education to apply for jobs in the law enforcement department. After working at PepsiCo for 10 years, he decided to return to school. Through a close friend Alejandro was able to discover Monroe’s Career Pathways Program, which allowed him to pursue two degrees simultaneously.
Alejandro earned his GED equivalency and an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, graduating summa cum laude. He also earned his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice in 2021. While at Monroe he was an active member of the National Society of Leadership and Excellence at Monroe.
Alejandro thanks Monroe for giving him a second chance at a higher education. He mentions that he is the first out of his ten sisters to earn a college degree. Monroe has provided him with the resources, tools, and support he needed to flourish.
The professors at Monroe informed students about job opportunities and assisted with the application process. While searching for a job in the Criminal Justice field, Alejandro continued working in the Route Sales department at PepsiCo, totaling 17 years at the company. Today, Alejandro began working as a Correctional Officer at the NYC Department of Correction, living out his dream of working in law enforcement.
