The TecoGuide Podcast

What does it take to succeed in college when you’re the first in your family to go?

In this heartfelt Transfer Basics Series feature, retired college counselor Manuel Reyes shares his powerful story, from a humble childhood in a railroad worker’s colony to a degree from UC Davis and a career serving thousands of students.

Key moments include:

Manuel’s advice? Lean on the values of your parents and abuelos. Embrace your culture. Build a strong support network. And never be afraid to dream big.

Manuel Reyes’ story is one of resilience, cultural pride, and a lifelong commitment to education. From a childhood rooted in poverty but rich in family and tradition, he rose to become a beacon of hope for countless students navigating their own academic journeys. His legacy reminds us that higher education is not just about degrees, it’s about transformation, empowerment, and passing the torch forward.

If you’re a student just starting out, or someone helping others find their way, remember this: success is not a solitary road. It’s paved by the love of family, the strength of community, and the values that guide you. Let those be your compass.

If you’re a student, parent, or educator navigating college today, this is your story, too.

#TecoGuide, the only app designed to help you navigate your college and career journey in the quickest and most affordable way. Brought to you by #EdTechQuity, we are committed to opening doors to higher education and career opportunities for all.

Thank you for tuning into #TecoGuide, the app dedicated to providing valuable insights on education and career success. Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share.

Visit our website https://www.inspirame.com/  and Download the app today

#TransferStudents #CommunityCollegeSuccess #AffordableCollege #EducationEquity #FirstGenStudents #LatinoCollegeStudents #BlackCollegeStudents #TransferSuccess #TecoGuide #CollegeGuide #CollegeNavigation #HigherEducation #EducationTechnology #CollegeAccess #TransferPlanning #CommunityCollegeToUniversity #HigherEducationAccess

In this inspiring launch of our Transfer Basics Series, Josh Kahn shares how losing a full-ride scholarship and dropping out of college became the turning point that taught him how to truly be a student. This episode is packed with tips on time management, planning, and building habits for academic success, especially for first-gen and transfer-bound students.

When people think of a good student, they often picture someone with straight A’s, strong test performance, or perfect recall of class lectures. But these traits only scratch the surface. Academic excellence is less about inherent intelligence and more about consistent, intentional actions.

Key Habits That Define Academic Success:

These are not innate talents. They are learnable, repeatable practices; and they can make the difference between barely getting by and truly thriving.

Josh’s journey didn’t end in failure. After a few difficult years, he returned to school, completed his undergraduate degree, and entered the workforce. From there, he took on a variety of jobs, some better than others, before landing a position at a Swiss pharmaceutical company’s U.S. office.

While working, he pursued an MBA, this time armed with the academic skills he never had before. From there, he transitioned into a boutique consulting firm, helping major pharmaceutical and biotech clients solve complex organizational challenges.

What changed? Not his IQ, but his approach. He learned how to plan, prepare, and execute with precision. He became disciplined. And he committed to mastering the process of learning.

The real measure of success isn’t where you start, it’s how you adapt, grow, and build the skills that carry you forward. Whether you're a transfer student, first-gen trailblazer, or returning learner, your journey matters. Commit to mastering the small habits that lead to big opportunities. And when in doubt, let #TecoGuide be your partner every step of the way.

Start building your future today, with intention, structure, and support.

#TecoGuide, the only app designed to help you navigate your college and career journey in the quickest and most affordable way. Brought to you by #EdTechQuity, we are committed to opening doors to higher education and career opportunities for all.

Thank you for tuning into #TecoGuide, the app dedicated to providing valuable insights on education and career success. Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share.

Visit our website https://www.inspirame.com/  and Download the app today

#CollegeTransfer #CollegeStudents #AffordableEducation #TransferSuccess #FirstGenStudents #CommunityCollege #HigherEducation #Students #Parents #Partners #EdTech #TecoGuide #CollegeNavigation #TransferBasics

"I flamed out of college. Lost my scholarship. Worked in a warehouse. Then… I came back, graduated with honors, and earned my master’s.”

In this Transfer Basics Series episode of TecoGuide, Josh Kahn shares his real and relatable journey, from academic failure to professional success. His experience underscores the importance of equitable access, second chances through community college, and building lifelong academic habits.

As a student, Josh excelled at test-taking and memorizing lectures, but he admits he was “just getting by on natural ability.” That strategy, like many others built on short-term wins, eventually fell apart.

He entered Arizona State University on a prestigious scholarship that covered tuition, housing, and food. But the newfound freedom of college life, combined with a lack of structured habits, quickly led him astray.

Josh became more invested in parties and socializing than lectures and assignments. He jokes that he got good at drinking, not beer pong, nor his coursework. Within a year and a half, his scholarship was gone, his grades were failing, and he withdrew from school entirely.

For over two years, Josh worked in a warehouse and continued living the college lifestyle without the college. Meanwhile, his friends graduated and moved on. He was left facing the consequences of lost time and opportunity.

That realization prompted him to re-enroll, this time through community college courses in Phoenix. With renewed purpose and clearer goals, he transitioned back into university and completed his degree with honors in just 18 months.

Now, as Ops Lead at TecoGuide, Josh helps students avoid the same pitfalls and take full advantage of tools designed to support first-gen, transfer-bound learners.

Josh Kahn’s story is not just one of personal redemption, it’s a blueprint for others navigating the challenges of college and career planning. Whether you're starting at a community college, recovering from academic setbacks, or just trying to figure out what comes next, your path doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful.

With tools like #TecoGuide, a supportive community, and strong academic habits, you can move forward with confidence. Education should never be a maze only a few can solve. It should be a journey guided by clarity, support, and possibility.

#TecoGuide, the only app designed to help you navigate your college and career journey in the quickest and most affordable way. Brought to you by #EdTechQuity, we are committed to opening doors to higher education and career opportunities for all.

Thank you for tuning into #TecoGuide, the app dedicated to providing valuable insights on education and career success. Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share.

Visit our website https://www.inspirame.com/  and Download the app today

#CollegeTransfer #AffordableEducation #FirstGenStudents #CommunityCollege #TransferSuccess #HigherEducation #TecoGuide

"Most of the time, it's not others telling you no. It's you telling yourself no." Meet Alejandra, a first-generation student who grew up in low-income housing, the youngest of six, and began working at age 14. College wasn’t in her plan. She had no idea what came after high school, until she heard about “free money” for college.

That one sentence led her to enroll at Sacramento City College. There, she found supportive professors, relatable counselors, and other students who looked like her. That made all the difference.

She eventually transferred to UC Berkeley, then earned her master's in counseling at SF State. Today, she’s a professor and counselor using her story to inspire others.

Counselor Alejandra’s story is a reminder that first-gen students are not alone and that potential doesn’t always come with a clear map. Sometimes, it starts with surviving. But it grows when you give yourself permission to hope, to explore, and to believe that you belong in higher education.

No one else will say yes for you. You have to do that part yourself.

#TecoGuide, the only app designed to help you navigate your college and career journey in the quickest and most affordable way. Brought to you by #EdTechQuity, we are committed to opening doors to higher education and career opportunities for all.

Thank you for tuning into #TecoGuide, the app dedicated to providing valuable insights on education and career success. Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share.

Visit our website https://www.inspirame.com/  and Download the app today

#HigherEd #CollegeAccess #EdEquity #EducationalLeadership #StudentSuccess #CommunityCollege #TransferSuccess #FirstGenerationStudents #TecoGuide

How to Secure a Guaranteed Spot at a #UC Campus: Understanding the UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (#TAG) Program

Navigating the path from community college to a University of California (UC) campus can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be.

Six campuses offer you a guaranteed spot through the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program. Find out which ones and how you qualify in this episode of the #TecoGuide podcast with Counselor Liz. Your dream school might just be a TAG away.

When and How to Apply for TAG? September may feel far away, but for fall transfers, it’s your deadline for the TAG application. Learn how timing, coursework, and GPA all play a role in securing your spot. 

Demystifying the UC TAG Matrix! What’s the UC TAG matrix, and why should it be your best friend if you're planning to transfer?

Not All Majors Qualify for TAG Surprised? Some majors are excluded from the TAG program. Don’t get caught off guard, find out how to check if your major is eligible and what your options are if it isn’t. 

The TAG process can be straightforward with the right guidance. Utilize the UC TAG Matrix, communicate with your college counselor, and plan your courses carefully. With proper preparation, you can position yourself to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to secure a spot at a UC campus.

#TecoGuide, the only app designed to help you navigate your college and career journey in the quickest and most affordable way. Brought to you by #EdTechQuity, we are committed to opening doors to higher education and career opportunities for all.

Thank you for tuning into #TecoGuide, the app dedicated to providing valuable insights on education and career success. Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share.

Visit our website https://www.inspirame.com/  and Download the app today

#HigherEducation #CommunityCollege #CareerPathways #inspirame

The CSU system spans 23 campuses across California and offers approximately 4,000 degree programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. That’s a tremendous array of opportunities for students across a wide range of interests and career paths.

However, not all CSU campuses offer the same majors. For instance, Sac State has 16 undergraduate programs, 40 graduate programs, and 2 doctoral programs. The list of available majors and even the names of similar programs can vary from one campus to another.

Before applying to any campus, confirm that the school offers a program closely aligned with your career goals. This preparation can save you from unexpected setbacks after enrollment. Another essential factor to consider is whether your intended major is impacted.

#TecoGuide, the only app designed to help you navigate your college and career journey in the quickest and most affordable way. Brought to you by #EdTechQuity, we are committed to opening doors to higher education and career opportunities for all.

Thank you for tuning into #TecoGuide, the app dedicated to providing valuable insights on education and career success. Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share.

Visit our website https://www.inspirame.com/  and Download the app today

#HigherEducation #CommunityCollege #CareerPathways #inspirame

In California, 85% of Black and Latino students in community college don’t make it to a university within four years. The issue isn’t the students, it’s the system. In this podcast, we introduce #TecoGuide, the free app that helps students navigate the complex transfer process. Learn how we’re changing the game for California’s future.

We didn’t build TecoGuide to “disrupt” education. We built it to fix what’s broken: the outdated and confusing systems that stop millions of students, especially students of color, from reaching their potential.

We’re not just another app, we’re a movement. #TecoGuide is committed to reforming how students experience the largest system of higher education in the United States: the California Community Colleges.

If you're passionate about transforming education and want to help accelerate this change, we invite you to partner with us.

#TecoGuide, the only app designed to help you navigate your college and career journey in the quickest and most affordable way. Brought to you by #EdTechQuity, we are committed to opening doors to higher education and career opportunities for all.

Thank you for tuning into #TecoGuide, the app dedicated to providing valuable insights on education and career success. Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share.

Visit our website https://www.inspirame.com/  and Download the app today

#HigherEducation #CommunityCollege #CareerPathways #inspirame

Thinking about #transferring to a #CSU, #UC, private Institutions or even an out-of-state school? Learn how community college can be your most affordable first step to a bachelor’s degree. Professor G breaks it all down. Take control of your education!

Starting at a community college doesn’t mean taking a shortcut.

Professor G explains how to maximize your college journey.

#TecoGuide, the only app designed to help you navigate your college and career journey in the quickest and most affordable way. Brought to you by #EdTechQuity, we are committed to opening doors to higher education and career opportunities for all.

Thank you for tuning into #TecoGuide, the app dedicated to providing valuable insights on education and career success. Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share.

Visit our website https://www.inspirame.com/  and Download the app today

#HigherEducation #CommunityCollege #CareerPathways #inspirame

We’re unpacking the UC TAG system, a powerful route for CA community college students to secure a UC campus spot. From who qualifies to when to apply, #TecoGuide has you covered. Participating in TAG comes with multiple advantages:

It’s important to note that TAG is limited to one campus, and not all majors at each UC campus are available under TAG. Applicants should consult campus-specific guidelines before applying.

How to Apply for TAG

Students must use the UC Transfer Admission Planner (TAP) to complete and submit their TAG application. Key steps include:

#TecoGuide, the only app designed to help you navigate your college and career journey in the quickest and most affordable way. Brought to you by #EdTechQuity, we are committed to opening doors to higher education and career opportunities for all.

Thank you for tuning into #TecoGuide, the app dedicated to providing valuable insights on education and career success. Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share.

Visit our website https://www.inspirame.com/  and Download the app today

#HigherEducation #CommunityCollege #CareerPathways #inspirame

#TRANSFER TO UC SUCCESSFULLY! Personal Insight Questions Explained Get the UC edge! In this #TecoGuide episode, Counselor Huy walks you through exactly how to craft standout personal insight responses for your #UC transfer application. Learn what admissions officers really want to see, plus tips to showcase your strengths, background, and academic story. Don’t miss this breakdown!

To answer effectively, consider:

1 Focus on your major interest

Let your unique voice and story shine through, this is your chance to connect with the UC admissions team on a deeper level.

#TecoGuide, the only app designed to help you navigate your college and career journey in the quickest and most affordable way. Brought to you by #EdTechQuity, we are committed to opening doors to higher education and career opportunities for all.

Thank you for tuning into #TecoGuide, the app dedicated to providing valuable insights on education and career success. Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share.

Visit our website https://www.inspirame.com/  and Download the app today

#HigherEducation #CommunityCollege #CareerPathways #inspirame