We’re harnessing the power of our greatest asset — the 40 million people who call California home. We need your help to tackle COVID-19, natural disasters, climate change, poverty, homelessness and other issues we may face in California.
We’re harnessing the power of our greatest asset — the 40 million people who call California home. We need your help to tackle COVID-19, natural disasters, climate change, poverty, homelessness and other issues we may face in California.
Caleb Tam, Improve Your Tomorrow
Pre-Pharmacy Student Pays it Forward
As a future healthcare worker and current student at University of the Pacific, Caleb Tam wanted the chance to practice compassionate care in a community setting and #CaliforniansForAll College Corps provided him the perfect opportunity.
A pre-pharmacy student at University of the Pacific, Caleb Tam is interested in community health. He wants to give back to the community and learn more about himself and #CaliforniansForAll College Corps provides a natural way to do both.
“I am pursuing pediatric pharmacy and will be working with kids, so I see my fellowship as a great way to build that portfolio of experience. As a future healthcare worker, it is important to have a compassionate heart and build connections with those you treat,” said Caleb.
He joined the fellowship and began working with middle schoolers through Improve Your Tomorrow, a college access program that works to increase the rate of young men of color attending and graduating college through mentorship, tutoring and brotherhood.
“Being a mentor with Improve Your Tomorrow and seeing the importance a mentorship has on young men—it’s been eye-opening,” said Caleb, who mentors students while serving as a “big brother” for young men who need a positive male role model.
By mentoring young men, Caleb’s College Corps experience helped him develop leadership skills. A highlight of Caleb’s fellowship experience was seeing the impact he’s made on the life of his mentee.
“When my mentee first joined Improve Your Tomorrow, he was going through a lot of struggles and wasn’t doing too well in school. We were concerned and just wanted to be of support. Fast forward to now, he has been showing up a lot more and his grades have been improving. It’s great to see how much he has grown,” said Caleb.
Caleb is set to graduate in 2028 and is excited to continue to build out his portfolio of experience working with children.
“I think College Corps is an amazing program and anyone who has the opportunity should take it. Not only will you learn to work as a team, but also learn to improve your leadership skills and broaden your perspective on life as a whole,” Caleb said.
