Quinton Adams came to El Camino College to prepare for a career in firefighting. He did exactly that, and while earning his degree in fire and emergency technology, Adams also built a support system that helped him along the way.
"Finding my community and maintaining a group of people to help out has been so important to me," he said. "Community helps you grow. Actually, everyone has their own goals, and you can help others as well when you work as a community."
Adams will address the importance of community as the 2022 student speaker during the 75th Annual Commencement Ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, June 10 in Murdock Stadium.
After graduation, Adams plans to apply to the El Camino Fire Academy with the goal of becoming a structural firefighter. He enrolled in El Camino College after earning a bachelor's degree in kinesiology at California State University, Fullerton last spring and went on to complete his degree at El Camino in just one year. For Adams, the academic environment at El Camino was just what he needed – a community of learners with support coming from a variety of areas, including classmates, faculty and online resources that helped him connect with others while working on assignments.
"At El Camino, my professors were amazing and also, my peers were more than helpful in all aspects of helping me learn," said the Inglewood native. "This community is really important to me."
Adams was also able to join a firefighter mentor group – in fact, they were the ones who told him about El Camino's program and have been encouraging him through his education. He's also been able to work at a private ambulance company, gaining valuable career experience. All have given him confidence to stay on his career path.
"I remember my first EMT class from last summer and we had to perform CPR on a simulator for five minutes," he said. "That was the most exhilarating moment of my life and when I knew this was the career for me. Being an El Camino student has worked out well. I've been able to move quickly toward my goals and I had a chance to grow and learn to be an effective leader."