Meet our Students

Meet Travis Wambach

Oceanside native Travis Wambach graduated from El Camino High School with honors in the fall of 2009. He had no immediate career plans and decided to attend MiraCosta College to figure out what he wanted to do in the future. “I came to MiraCosta College because it was affordable and the Oceanside Campus was close to my house – it worked out really well,” says Travis.

When Travis began his studies at MiraCosta College he did not know which subject he wanted major in. “I knew I wanted to do something in the field of science but didn’t know which branch for quite some time,” says Travis. After completing transfer level courses in physics, Travis decided his major. “I chose electrical engineering because of the physics class sequence I took at MiraCosta. It incorporates the study of circuits and electricity, is very logical and analytical, and I really like the math behind it,” says Travis.

With his major decided, the next step for Travis was to prepare for transfer. Travis got on the right path to the school of his dreams by visiting the Transfer Center. “I met with transfer counselor Lise Flocken, and she told me exactly what was needed to do to become a competitive candidate for admissions at big name universities,” says Travis.

Along with advice about which classes to take, Lise helped Travis join the Honors Scholar Program. “It is a really good environment to surround yourself in – I met great people, and while I was in the honors program I was able to go to the UCLA and UCSD transfer day. It gave me inspiration to continue working hard,” says Travis.

While Travis was studying full time at MiraCosta College, he also held a part time job on campus tutoring math, physics and chemistry at the Tutoring and Academic Support Center. “Balancing my schedule was difficult at times. I was on campus every day of the week, either in class or working. I also didn’t have any transportation so had to rely on others to get to and from campus,” says Travis.

The hard work Travis put into his studies paid off, and in the fall semester of 2011 and spring semester of 2012 he was awarded the Emerson Network Power Scholarship, which recognizes students leadership and academic achievement. The scholarships ultimately lead to an internship at Emerson Power Network, giving Travis real life experience in a Fortune 200 company. “When I was working at Emerson my bosses gave me excellent career advice and mini-lectures,” says Travis.

In fall 2012, Travis will be transferring to UCSD. He applied and was accepted into other schools, such as UCLA, UC Berkeley and the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, but decided on UCSD because of the financial assistance the university offered. “I was awarded the Regents Scholarship at UCSD and the Emerson Network Power Scholarship through the MiraCosta College Foundation,” says Travis. Along with the generous financial assistance, he will also be given the opportunity to complete research at UCSD during his first semester, an exciting prospect for Travis.

“I have only had good experiences with the faculty and staff at MiraCosta College. Everyone is really good at their jobs.”