From Burgers to Breakthroughs: How One Father Defied the Odds in Engineering

As a child, Esteban Perez dreamed of changing the world. For him, math and science weren’t just school subjects — they were tools for achieving something greater, a belief that strengthened when he arrived in Santa Maria as a seventh grader from Ocotlán, Mexico.

But by high school, the challenges of adolescence began to weigh heavily. Depression set in, and Perez began drifting from the vision that once inspired him. Pulled off course by the wrong crowd, he dropped out during his sophomore year.

“I had lost all my confidence and my self-esteem,” he said.

Today, Perez’s life is worlds away from those teenage years. A father of five, his journey has been defined by years of fast-food jobs, the challenges of raising a family and an improbable return to education after more than a decade away.

Now pursuing a master’s degree in electrical engineering at Cal Poly, Perez juggles the demands of rigorous studies with the responsibilities of fatherhood. His story reflects the power of second chances and steadfast determination, with the passion that fueled his childhood dreams propelling him toward achievements he once feared were beyond reach.

• • •

By his early 20s, Perez had found his footing in the restaurant industry. He started as a crew member at McDonald’s and steadily worked his way up to manager. Eventually, he transitioned to In-N-Out, where he spent the next decade overseeing locations across California’s Central Coast and helping to open new stores in Texas.

As part of his management training, Perez took courses in leadership and personal development — experiences that reignited his ambition. “I started remembering, ‘I like this stuff,’” he said.

“I wanted something better, not just for me but for my kids,” said Perez, whose own parents only finished elementary school. “I had learned that children are more likely to go to college if their parents did, and I wanted to set that example for them.”

In 2018, Perez made a decision that defied expectations: he stepped down from management, leaving behind a steady salary to enroll at Allan Hancock College and begin studying engineering. His first step was earning his GED certificate.

But not everyone believed in his vision. Early on, a career counselor reacted skeptically when Perez shared his goal of entering the field. The counselor pointed to his math placement at the algebra level and warned that he’d face years of remedial courses just to catch up. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” the counselor told him.

Those words were a spark for Perez. “To be honest, I was offended,” he said. “But I took it as a challenge. I thought, ‘I’m going to show you.’”

Despite fears of returning to school after 15 years, Perez dove in. Class by class, his confidence grew stronger, reflected in the straight A’s that began filling his transcript.

In 2020, while working toward his associate degree, Perez learned about ENGAGE (Engineering Neighbors: Gaining Access, Growing Engineers), a National Science Foundation-funded program offering scholarships and mentoring to support low-income transfer students in engineering and computer science. The collaboration between Allan Hancock College, Cuesta College and Cal Poly helped students transition from community college to a four-year university.

For Perez, ENGAGE became the bridge to Cal Poly.

“Esteban is not only a first-generation student, but he is a returning student with a family. His maturity and motivation to succeed allowed him to serve as a great role model for other students,” said Allan Hancock College Engineering Professor Dominic Dal Bello, who introduced Perez to the program.

Perez often confided in Dal Bello, voicing doubts about whether he belonged in the field. During one pivotal conversation, he hesitated before admitting, for the first time, that he could see himself as an engineer.

Dal Bello’s response was immediate: “YES!”

The moment cemented Perez’s confidence in his future as an engineer. He graduated with a perfect 4.0, leading his class at commencement and carrying the school banner in recognition of his achievements.

• • •

In 2022, Perez transferred to Cal Poly, building on an early interest in electrical engineering sparked by a robotics class at Allan Hancock College. A 2024 summer research project in radio communications and direction finding, guided by Professor Payam Nayeri, helped him expand his understanding of the field.

“The progress he made was remarkable,” Nayeri said. “He started with little background in radio communications but taught himself along the way. Now, he’s leading the hardware development and mentoring other students who will rely on it to collect their data.”

That summer also led Perez to earn his amateur radio license and decide to pursue a master’s degree.

Balancing school and family has been no small feat, especially with a 10-hour weekly commute from his home in Santa Maria. Perez maximizes every free moment, from short breaks between classes to late nights after his kids are asleep. “It’s a sacrifice,” he admitted. “I started school when the kids were babies, and that’s time I won’t get back.”

Still the impact is undeniable: one of his sons is now considering engineering, and his daughter dreams of becoming a veterinarian. “It’s a double-edged sword,” Perez said, reflecting on the sacrifices he’s made and the legacy he’s building. Those trade-offs, however, have only strengthened his resolve to make a lasting impact.

With his sights set on the aerospace industry after his expected graduation in 2026, Perez envisions a future where he can push the boundaries of electrical engineering to drive innovation.

“I wanted to change the world when I was a kid,” Perez reflected. “Now, I’m finally in a position to try.”

Call to Action: Help Transfer Students Thrive!

Students like Esteban Perez balance school, work and family while pursuing their degrees. The Cal Poly Transfer Center provides essential resources to support their success — including free snacks and school supplies for those who need them. You can make a direct impact by donating items from the center’s Amazon wishlist.