For the second consecutive year, a CAMP student from Sacramento State has been selected to participate in the prestigious National HEP/CAMP Association Internship in Washington, D.C. this summer. First-year CAMP student, Daniel Gonzalez, is one of six college students from across the United States selected to participate in this internship. Gonzalez and five others will receive 10-week placements in congressional offices, the Office of Migrant Education (OME), and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.
Students from migrant and farm working backgrounds face
unique challenges leading up to and during their pursuit of a college degree,
such as academic interruption due to housing instability, language barriers,
financial stress, and very commonly being the first in their family to go to
college.
“My background has given me more of a work ethic towards everyday
life. As a student from a migrant background, I feel like I have a big mental
advantage compared to other students. I take school very seriously because I
know the sacrifices that were made to get me here and the significance of
getting an education,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez grew up near Mendocino County where he lived in Hopland, CA, and Ukiah, CA. His father works in the vineyard industry harvesting grapes and his mother is a drug and immigration counselor. His mother’s involvement helped him to feel connected to the Latinx community while he was growing up. He has two older sisters, both of whom participated in CAMP at Sac State, part of the inspiration for why Gonzalez chose to become part of the Hornet family. His sisters encouraged him to join CAMP to ensure a smooth transition during his first year of college since many students have a hard time integrating into the campus community. There was no hesitation in Daniel’s mind that he wanted to join CAMP, stating that “It is a good guide into your first year, and it felt like a big opportunity to be part of the program.”
Gonzalez will be continuing his personal and professional
development as a participant in the National HEP/CAMP Association Internship.
Erica Perez, Director of CAMP, explains that “This internship allows students
to gain self-confidence and recognize their potential in becoming leaders of
change in their respective communities. The voices and the work of the selected
participants help promote the association's mission, ‘to serve, educate, and
empower farmworkers.”
Gonzalez looks forward to working in an office environment and exploring the city of Washington, D.C., somewhere he is interested in moving to in the future. Additionally, he views this internship as an opportunity to gain more insight into his future career in public service. He is majoring in political science, a subject that sparked his interest from a young age going back to when he played political strategy games as a kid. Now, he is interested in the intricacies of international politics, political philosophy, and public policy. As a first-year student, he is already considering pursuing a master’s degree upon completing his bachelor’s degree. CAMP staff and students are extremely proud that Gonzalez will be representing our university in the nation’s capital. CAMP Interim Retention Specialist, Saray Aguirre, shares that “Daniel is the perfect example of what it means to persevere. His strong work ethic has given him the opportunity to participate in this internship. I am confident that Daniel will make the best of this opportunity and gain the necessary skills and experience to grow.”
