After leaving the Marine Corps, Gunnery Sgt. Gabriel Reyes, an infantry platoon commander, wanted to utilize the skills he used to lead, mentor and develop young Marines to pursue a career in social work and help underpriviledged youths.
By participating in Boots in Business, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce's Military Mentoring Initiative, Reyes, a Texas native who joined the Marines straight after high school and recently left the military after 16 years, received a better understanding of what it will take for him to transition into his desired civilian career.
Reyes shadowed employees in the City of Carlsbad's Police Juvenile Justice Program. During his assignment, he met many personnel and volunteers in the juvenile program as well as the Carlsbad Police Department and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. He also sat in during a session of the Juvenile Justice Program, a diversion and intervention program for first-time offenders that is an alternative to the formal juvenile criminal justice system.
"The value was priceless, it gave me complete understanding on the paths I need to take in order to be successful in a career that deals with youth beyond the understanding that I believed I had," Reyes said.
Reyes spent most of his time with Linda Ledesma, juvenile justice coordinator at Carlsbad Police Department and Officer Malcolm Warfield.
"By shadowing Ms. Ledesma, I was able to get an understanding of her duties and all the different agencies she works directly with in order to mentor and develop troubled teens," said Reyes. "I believe that the day was very productive and came out with more information and understanding of multiple programs than I had expected."
He added that the experience reinforced his desire to find a meaningful career in social work.
"Talking with someone gives you an idea but being there to experience for yourself," he said. "There is no substitute."
By participating in Boots in Business, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce's Military Mentoring Initiative, Reyes, a Texas native who joined the Marines straight after high school and recently left the military after 16 years, received a better understanding of what it will take for him to transition into his desired civilian career.
Reyes shadowed employees in the City of Carlsbad's Police Juvenile Justice Program. During his assignment, he met many personnel and volunteers in the juvenile program as well as the Carlsbad Police Department and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. He also sat in during a session of the Juvenile Justice Program, a diversion and intervention program for first-time offenders that is an alternative to the formal juvenile criminal justice system.
"The value was priceless, it gave me complete understanding on the paths I need to take in order to be successful in a career that deals with youth beyond the understanding that I believed I had," Reyes said.
Reyes spent most of his time with Linda Ledesma, juvenile justice coordinator at Carlsbad Police Department and Officer Malcolm Warfield.
"By shadowing Ms. Ledesma, I was able to get an understanding of her duties and all the different agencies she works directly with in order to mentor and develop troubled teens," said Reyes. "I believe that the day was very productive and came out with more information and understanding of multiple programs than I had expected."
He added that the experience reinforced his desire to find a meaningful career in social work.
"Talking with someone gives you an idea but being there to experience for yourself," he said. "There is no substitute."