The new school year at Los Banos High School starts off with new staff members every year. This year, one of them is Ms. San Juana Gonzalez. Do you want to go to college and engage in a good career? She is the one to talk with since she is our new career and college counselor.

Gonzalez grew up in Dos Palos, California, and then moved to Chowchilla at the age of fifteen. She graduated and earned her diploma from Chowchilla High School. After graduating, she received her college degree at Westhill College. Later, she got her Bachelor’s degree from CSU Monterey and also received her Masters degree at National University. Currently, she is not married and considers the students here at LBHS her own children. At home, she has a dog and a cat.   

Gonzalez previously worked at Westhills College located in Firebaugh for eight years. She worked in the admissions and records department of the community college. Her main objective of that job was to encourage K-12 students to enroll into college classes early but this made her realize that she wanted a change of environment. The opening position here caught her attention and she knew it was meant to be. Something that encouraged Gonzalez to be the career and college counselor was that she loves hearing the students’ stories and what they want to achieve, along with how they plan to get there. “I enjoy the chaos of working with students,” she says.  

She has great connections to colleges and universities and knows how to get into contact with them. Gonzalez is determined to help achieve others’ goals for their future. Her personal goal for this job is to have her students believe they can achieve higher education.

One thing she explained was how students have a lot of self-doubt upon themselves, and she wants to help students realize that they can do anything. She said, “The students can do it, it is not impossible.” 

If you ever hesitate about visiting the career center and speaking with someone for help with your future, don’t worry! Gonzalez is very easy going, comforting, and is willing to help with anything you need. She enjoys hanging out with friends and family and also traveling. Her life goal is to visit every seven wonders of the world.

When you get the chance, give Ms. Gonzalez a warm welcome to Los Banos High School!