Hi everyone, I’m Brandon Estigoy. When I first started at Napa Valley College, I was a nursing major. I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to do, but as I took different classes and explored new fields, I realized my true interests were in science and technology.

I started taking courses in physics, mathematics, and computer science, and before I knew it, I had completely changed my academic path. It wasn’t always easy, but it felt right. Looking back, I know this was the best decision for me.

One of the things that made this journey so meaningful was the NVC community. The people I met here made such a difference in my life. As I shared before:

“The NVC community and the MESA center were really special. I was able to make lifelong friends that helped guide me in the right direction.”

The MESA center in particular became like a second home to me. I found support, mentorship, and friends who believed in me, even when I doubted myself. They pushed me to keep going and reminded me why I was working so hard.

Now, I’m getting ready to transfer to San Jose State University (SJSU) this fall. It’s exciting and a little nerve-wracking to think about moving away from home and having more independence, but I’m ready for this next chapter. As I said:

“This fall, I'm looking forward to being at SJSU. It'll be a new experience to be away from home and have more independence, and I'm thrilled to embrace university life to the fullest.”

To anyone reading this who might be feeling unsure about their path, I just want to say: It’s okay to change direction. It’s okay to find out what truly makes you passionate and to go after it. For me, that decision made all the difference.

Thank you to everyone at Napa Valley College who helped me get here. I can’t wait to see what comes next.