Student Spotlight: Keanu Spindola, USMC
University of Southern California Cohort
Where were you in your academic journey when you completed your WSP academic boot camp?
I was wrapping up my community college courses and was applying to a couple of universities in my area.
Where are you now in your academic journey? If you are enrolled in school, where? What are you majoring in?
This past winter, I just started business school at Santa Clara University, majoring in management and minoring in construction management.
How did what you learned at WSP help you get to where you are today?
As a first-generation college student, I felt like I didn’t have a lot of options or support when it came to pursuing higher education. As a result, I joined the Marine Corps, where I gained the grit and determination needed to accomplish whatever I set my mind to. However, I didn’t think that was applicable to higher education. WSP helped me realize my potential as a student veteran and reinforced that we can accomplish whatever we set our minds to as veterans.
What’s the best part of being a WSP alumnus?
While serving in the military, there was a unique sense of camaraderie and trust among one another. I am fortunate to have the same kind of people in the WSP alumni group. Whatever we need, we know that there’s someone that we can reach out to that will give us a hand.
What advice do you have for other vets or service members who might want to pursue higher education?
If you think you are not smart enough. Have doubts about your ability to succeed in academia because of your past grades. Or, “insert whatever excuses you use”, that’s ok because I thought that too. What you’re feeling is entirely normal! School will not be easy, but you learn a thing or two in the military that you can use to succeed in higher education. There are many experiences, memories, and friends to make in this new chapter of your life, so keep an open mind and see where it takes you!
Do you have a post-education career goal in mind? What is it?
As my time in the Marine Corps was ending, I began looking into entrepreneurship because I felt that I had learned how to lead a team and manage an operation. My dad has owned his business for the last 20 years, so I decided to join the team and grow the family business.