Brian Ceballos, Class of 2016

Hi Everyone!

Since I graduated from HGHS two years ago so much has happened. I am going to list a few of my recent accomplishments and how HGHS helped me get there.

Schooling:
* I will be graduating next Spring with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus on Business Analytics. I am enrolled in both the Honors College and College of Business at FIU. I will be graduating a year early thanks to the credits I transferred over. By making the most of the AICE, AP, and Dual Enrollment classes I came in to college with credits and by making the most out of every opportunity I have been able to excel.

* Last academic year I was a Peer Leadership Consultant for FIU’s Center for Leadership and Service. As a part of LEAD Team I was able to influence students by being a facilitator for a three day retreat where we taught students the five steps to being a leader. Apart from facilitating the retreat, we served as an ambassador and presented at First Year Experience classes, attended orientations and university events on behalf of the office to promote programs, events, and services.

* This past March I was elected Florida Phi Beta Lambda State President at the State Leadership Conference! I joined the Future Business Leaders of America – Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) when I was a seventh grader and was heavily involved in high school. During my high school years I served as the HGHS Chapter President and District Secretary for two consecutive years. By being a part of this organization I was able to develop my leadership skills and those have probably been the most useful in my college career. By taking a part in CTE programs I grew as a person without even realizing it. Now, I serve as the State President for the Collegiate Division and that is something I would have never dreamed of when I first joined. Thanks to HGHS supporting CTE I have grown to this capacity. Apart from being elected State President during the conference I was selected as the Rob Kelleher Memorial Award Recipient. This award is the most prestigious in Florida PBL and I was selected based on my dedication and devotion to the organization. This award is only possible because HGHS allowed me to be so involved with the organization and supported me as I looked to develop myself in the organization.

Career:
* Since last June I have been a Student Trainee (Intern) with the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This internship has been a great opportunity as I have learned about public service firsthand. Some of my duties have included: being a speaker at naturalization ceremonies where I have presented the candidates and the motion on behalf of the Government of the United States to the delegated official to make the individuals’ citizens, I have assisted in providing immigration benefits to applicants, performed case review and analysis on cases, and even worked with management with regards to office autonomy and performance. In a few weeks I will be transitioning out of this role as I will become a Student Workforce Trainee with one of the Department of Justice’s agencies. As an intern with one of the federal law enforcement agencies I will partake in a program that will develop my skills and allow me to continue my public service. I can directly attribute my current success in my career with HGHS’s internship program. Thanks to Ms. Morales and Ms. Nino I took on an internship with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at the end of my Junior year and continued that over my Senior year. By partaking in the internship program I was able to start my career and develop my resume which has led me to where I am today. I encourage all of the current Gladiators to make the most of their opportunities and be involved in the school, make connections with teachers and listen to their advice, try to land an internship while finishing high school because it will make all the difference when trying to apply for a college internship. It always looks better and makes it easier to get your first college internship when your resume lists relevant leadership and work experience. Make the most out of every opportunity that HGHS facilitates for you.

Gladiators, if you ever want to connect or have any questions for an alumni feel free to reach out to me via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianceballos/) or via email at BCeba002@fiu.edu.

Best wishes to all the current gladiators!

Regards,
Brian Ceballos
Class of 2016