A Challenging Upbringing

Dropping out of high school at an early age carved out my independent streak, but left me with limited options.  At the time I decided to earn money by working rather than waste my time with school, yet little did I know I was robbing myself of future financial returns.  With no formal education beyond the 9th grade in reading, writing, and mathematics, I had essentially stunted my academic growth.

After getting into a bit of legal trouble I had no choice but to clean up my act so I enrolled at MJC.  After my first week of classes I realized I was in over my head.  I was terribly shy, unconfident, and socially awkward, which actually impeded my ability to learn.  It wasn’t until I made a few friends that I began to open up.  Only after a semester of navigating classes, finances, and part-time jobs, did I really start to feel comfortable truly identifying myself as a full-time student.  I then joined a few campus clubs and helped organize events.  Each new social activity slowly increased my social acuity, which eventually led me to joining the student government at ASMJC.

My time with ASMJC is where I really started developing my own voice; I participated in campus discussions, engaged with professors outside of class, and joined student organizations that spanned across the state.

Because of my previous mistakes it had taken me 5 years to transfer, something I didn’t even know existed when I enrolled.  Sure, I changed my major many times and it took me longer than the average, but if I had to do it all over again I wouldn’t change a thing.  The students, staff, administrators, and professors all made a lasting impression on me for the better.  The support and level of care that I received from those years are invaluable and I’ve made lifetime friends because of it.  I have so many great memories that span from heated classroom debates to events in the quad, and even representing students at the state capital.  One of my better memories was being selected as the graduation speaker for my graduating class.  It is a proud moment that I’m glad I was able to share with my mother.

There are many outstanding individuals from the MJC community that I’m sincerely grateful for, unfortunately the list would fill up a few pages.  In short, my thinking was challenged, my worldview expanded, my passion evoked, and my character polished – that for me is the essence of MJC.

After a bit of backpacking through Mexico I transferred to a 1-year program at the Diplomatic Academy.  From there I transferred to Humboldt State where I studied abroad in Mexico and completed a BA in Economics and a BA in Globalization Studies.

I had such a positive experience at MJC that after undergrad I returned to help build leadership with students, clubs and other members of ASMJC.  After a short period of time I left MJC and went off to graduate school at Claremont Graduate University in Southern California where I completed an MBA in Strategy and Marketing.

Despite dropping out of high school, getting into legal trouble, and being the oldest in my MBA program, I know without a doubt that if I had raced through my time at MJC I wouldn’t be where I’m at today, which is earning the salary I want while working remotely from an ocean view balcony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

- Chris Munshaw-Rodriguez, Class of 2004