My name is Mia Friedman and I am in the
learning and life skills program of UCLA Pathway.
My name is Tyler Fisher and I'm, and I'm
part of the Pathway UCLA Extension Program.
What I enjoyed about being a member of
UCLA was to navigate this vast, stunning
campus, but the best of all was to
participate in Pathway's intensive
internship programs. When I got to work
for and with amazing, kind, and patient
people that taught me more than I could
have ever dreamed of.
Tyler, what did you like most about UCLA
Extension?
The thing I liked well UCLA Extension is that
I get more--many job opportunities
and internships, for example,
I worked at the John Wooden Center
for two quarters and then my and then
after the two quarters, during my spring
break, one of my friends from Pathway
decided to call me up and say, "Hey, why
don't you just try to work at the
Student Activity Center. It's more
relaxing and you could do a lot of
independent studying.
My favorite part is
being with my friends and going to the
games and exploring the museums
and doing special events with them, like
going down to the beach and going down
to Veteran Park for barbecues also doing
some movie events.
So we first found out about the Pathway
program through a friend of my wife's,
and once we learned, we investigated more
and the more we learned, the more we liked it.
Mia has experienced things. The best way
you learn to live alone and to live
independently is to live independently.
The best way to learn how to cook or
exercise is to do it, and she's
participated in everything and so that's
what we like about the program. She has
actively been living independently, going
to class, preparing meals. There's so many
aspects of independent living that are
important, so we love it.
When I think about Mia's future, it makes
me feel good, because I know she has so
many different possibilities. So, in terms
of the specifics, we--we know that
because of this program, she's gonna be
working, and she's already had a couple
offers, which is amazing.
After graduation, I'm planning on working for Skechers
in a professional office
setting just like my three internships.
The next thing that I'm gonna do is to
maybe find a job where my uncle works.
I'm so appreciative and thankful for
this life-changing experience that I've had at Pathway.
And I'm ready to go out into the working world and become a real contributor.
What does today mean for you and your family?
When my extended family comes
from Utah to visit me, they just feel
like I'm--I'm a graduate student and they
are being cheerleaders for me, so.
All I can say right now is that I am proud
to be a Bruin just like you and
I love you with all my heart.
You're the best.
