Opportunity Opens Doors
Access to education can change the trajectory of a career. For Deborah Paula, receiving our Career Excelerator Award created an opportunity to build new skills and pursue professional growth that once felt out of reach.
Before starting our Project Management certificate, Deborah built her career through determination and hands-on experience, working in service roles such as housecleaning, cashier, server and pizza maker.
“Those jobs taught me how to communicate, stay organized and work hard every day,” Deborah reflects, “but I knew I could do more. While looking online for ways to change career paths, I found a nonprofit called Year Up United, which supports young adults who may face barriers to accessing education and job opportunities. Through Year Up United, I was able to go through learning and development programs and complete an internship at Salesforce, which gave me my first chance at working in a corporate office and helped me turn my real-world experience into a career path.
“A friend from the internship program told me about UC Berkeley Extension, and that’s how I found my way here.”
Through our UC Excelerator scholarship for project management, Deborah gained the tools and confidence to lead projects more effectively and take the next step in her career.
Her story shows how access to opportunity can help determined learners move forward and inspire others to do the same.
Learning more about project management helped me put structure and language to the work I was already doing.
What draws you to learning more about project management?
I’ve always been someone who works closely with people and keeps things moving, even before I had the title for it. I enjoy organizing, solving problems and making sure everyone is on the same page. Learning more about project management helped me put structure and language to the work I was already doing, and gave me tools to be more confident and intentional in how I lead and collaborate with others.
Having worked in roles that didn’t always offer growth or support, this program felt like a way to take the next step in my professional journey.
Why did you apply for the scholarship?
It offered opportunities I wouldn’t have been able to afford on my own, such as learning alongside people from different backgrounds and attending classes that would add real value to my career. Having worked in roles that didn’t always offer growth or support, this program felt like a way to take the next step in my professional journey.
It fits perfectly with my goal of continuing my education, gaining skills and moving closer to the college degree that I’ve always dreamed of, while also building the foundation to grow in my career and help others in the future.
Did the scholarship change what felt possible for you at that moment?
Yes! Even though I was working in corporate, I was a contractor with no benefits nor education support, so advancing my education felt out of reach. The scholarship opened a real path for me, gave me hope and showed me that continuing to grow and learn was actually possible.
Part of earning the scholarship is having access to academic advising. Was this a new experience for you?
This was a completely new experience. Having someone to guide me through the process, break it down into manageable steps and check in on my progress made a big difference. It helped me feel supported, encouraged and more confident in continuing my education, and it kept me accountable every step of the way.
I wanted to make the most of the opportunity—not just take one class, but complete the whole certificate. It feels amazing to see it through!
Tell me about your experience taking our project management classes.
The classes were a really positive experience. Each instructor brought their own perspective and tips, and they were always open to questions, making sure everyone understood the material.
Zoom classes were especially engaging because we had three hours to work in teams, coordinate projects and interact with classmates, sometimes even people I had met in previous courses!
I loved hearing how others applied what they were learning or explored new ideas for their careers. The scholarship added extra motivation. I wanted to make the most of the opportunity—not just take one class, but complete the whole certificate. It feels amazing to see it through!
Their support made the workshops feel personal and interactive, and I left feeling more confident professionally.
You also took part in the Career Foundations course and in the professional development workshops offered by UC Excelerator.
The career workshops are a great addition to the program. The Networking and Interviewing workshop was especially useful for me. I’m naturally talkative and comfortable interacting with people, but learning how to network effectively in the corporate world was new. The instructor gave practical tips that I could apply right away.
Instructors made time to answer questions and offered ways to connect afterward. I even reached out to some of them on LinkedIn, which led to really valuable conversations. Their support made the workshops feel personal and interactive, and I left feeling more confident professionally.
You were working full time at Salesforce while taking classes. Were you able to apply lessons learned to your facilities coordinator position?
One of the biggest skills I was able to improve upon was leadership. I learned that leadership isn’t just about jumping in and getting things done; it’s about knowing when to step back, guide and let others take action.
For example, my supervisor often mentions that I’m very direct and proactive but sometimes need to slow down and take a step back. Practicing this in my classes helped me apply the same approach at work: pausing to teach, listen and support my colleagues while still keeping projects moving forward.
I want to inspire my community and show that growth and access to education are possible, even when the path isn’t easy.
What does earning this certificate mean for you personally and professionally?
Personally, it’s a reminder that hard work, persistence and taking opportunities can pay off.
Professionally, it validates my experience and gives me confidence to take on new challenges. I recently accepted a new job offer, and I hope to use what I’ve gained to lead projects more effectively, support my team and mentor others navigating their career paths.
Beyond work, I want to inspire my community and show that growth and access to education are possible, even when the path isn’t easy.
Congrats on the new job!
Thanks so much! I’m super excited to be joining Hinge Health as a workplace engagement associate. This certificate gave me practical skills in project management, leadership and teamwork, and it made me feel confident about taking on new challenges.
A fun part is that my new manager also did a program through UC Berkeley Extension, so we got to connect over our similar journeys, which was really nice.
After completing the program, I told a friend about it, and he’s already halfway through the courses. That was really meaningful to see.
Has this experience changed how you think about access to education or opportunity for others?
Yes, it really has. This experience showed me how much access matters. There are so many capable people who just need the opportunity and support to move forward.
It also made me more aware of the importance of sharing information. After completing the program, I told a friend about it, and he’s already halfway through the courses. That was really meaningful to see.
In one sentence, what did the UC Excelerator scholarship make possible for you?
It gave me the chance to believe in myself and keep moving forward when things felt uncertain.
I hope my story can inspire others to take that next step, whether it’s going back to school, trying something new or believing in themselves a little more.
Where can we find you in five to 10 years from now?
In five years, I hope to have earned my degree in business and political science while continuing to grow within the company I’m joining and developing into a leader people trust and want to work with.
In 10 years, I see myself running my own business to advocate for and guide people, especially those who feel lost, face barriers or are looking for a chance to grow. I want to use my experiences to support others and show that no matter the challenges, opportunities are possible and that hard work and persistence can truly pay off.
I’m so grateful for this opportunity and for everyone who supported me along the way. Programs like this make a real difference. They open doors and give people the confidence to keep going, even when it feels hard. I hope my story can inspire others to take that next step, whether it’s going back to school, trying something new or believing in themselves a little more.
