Financier didn't want just any job
Julio Tudon
Age: 26
Occupation: Merrill Lynch financial adviser

Where did you receive your education?
Booker High School; BBA and MBA from West Texas A & M University.

How has your education played a role in your life today?
My education has played a key role in my life because of the opportunities given to me by my degrees. Thanks to my education, I am where I want to be and I have a sense of control for my career.

What was your greatest educational challenge and how did you overcome it?
Being told that higher education was not for me, and I would not succeed. I challenged myself to not only prove others wrong, but prove to myself that I was capable of furthering my education. I never gave up on my dreams.

What is the value of your education?
There is not a price tag I can place on my education. Knowledge is valuable. Educational knowledge has added value to my life as an individual and as a professional.

What would you say to someone who is undecided about continuing their education?
I would tell them the advantages of continuing education and the disadvantages of choosing not to continue. I would share with them the great opportunities given to individuals who pursue a higher education, and the chance given to them to make a great investment on their future.

When did you make education a priority?
I made education a priority when I realized that I did not want to settle for just any job. I wanted a career, and I wanted to be successful in my career. I knew to be able to obtain this, I had to keep my competitive edge and continue to learn day in and day out.

What made you realize the importance of education in your life?
I have spoken to many individuals who, for one reason or another, did not have the opportunity to be educated but wish they had. Those conversations made me realize that education is important, and that I should take full advantage of the opportunity that others may not have.

Did you ever think about quitting? What made you keep going?
Yes; my family, who believed in me, and the individuals who stood by me and wanted me to succeed kept me going. Also, the doubters still stayed in the back of my head, and I did not want them to be right.