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Nick Vallejo, California Climate Action Corps Alum ‘23
Join us in celebrating Nick Vallejo, a California Climate Action Corps alum who served from 2022 to 2023. A proud, partially deaf Mexican American author, artist and activist, Nick now works as a recycling specialist with the City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department. Let’s give a round of applause for Nick, his achievements and his dedication to serving Californians!
What are you up to now after service?
I am a Recycling Specialist I with the City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department in the Waste Reduction Division. I’m very much aligned with what I was doing as a California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) fellow with added responsibilities and projects attached to my day-to-day now. A big push I’ve worked on is a green bin rollout to give all San Diego residents access to organic waste recycling, which has been a really big hit for our community.
Aside from my role with the City of San Diego, I have continued my passion for creativity by writing stories and creating social media content focused on climate for the general public. Feel free to follow me on my personal social media accounts on Instagram and LinkedIn!
How did your experience in California Climate Action Corps prepare you for your role working at the City of San Diego?
It really comes down to two things: connections and exposure to the climate field. California Climate Action Corps really allowed me to build connections with a network of professionals that I could use as a resource, build relationships with and learn from. My CCAC supervisor connected me with leaders from the EPA, Cal Recycle, the federal government and my local government here in the City of San Diego. What I learned is that the worst thing that can happen when you reach out to someone is they just say “no.” It only takes one “yes” to have someone take the time out of their day and try to impart some wisdom on what they’ve experienced in their career.
Also, my 11 months of service through the program was an opportunity to be “pushed into the ocean and learn how to swim” in the climate field. I got to learn so much about how government works versus my perception of it from the media and social media commenters.
Nick at a recycling facility during his time as a California Climate Action Corps fellow.
What’s it like working with current CCAC fellows now as a full-time staff member?
I’m actually a mentor to our four fellows: Alexis, Natalie, Neha and Quincy. My manager, Megan, and I try to connect them with people we’ve met in the city so they can have a similar networking experience as I did and expose them to what’s out there in the world of sustainability.
I truly enjoy being a mentor to them because I know what they’re going through since I was in their shoes before. I try my best to give advice where I can and connect them with the resources that I have. I like to think that I teach them as much as they teach me. They all have unique qualities that benefit the team and help me as well.
How did your service through CCAC benefit you and your community?
In life, it’s rare to see the direct outcome of your efforts. But with CCAC, one of the immediate benefits is that I could see, with my own eyes, the positive result of our green bins going to 270,000+ San Diego residents. The work I’ve led both through CCAC and now as a proud alum will have an impact for years to come.
➡️ Be like Nick and become a California Climate Action Corps fellow! Learn more & apply.
➡️ Access resources available to you as a California Service Corps alum on the Alumni Network website.
