Turning Setbacks into Fresh Starts: Raul Mendoza’s Story of Resilience and Renewal

For Raul Mendoza, starting over isn’t a setback—it’s an opportunity. Faced with rebuilding his career after moving to the U.S. from Tijuana, Raul is taking his journey in stride—keeping his eyes fixed on his goals and embracing each step with determination. 

“I felt that not having a degree from a renowned American university was affecting how hiring companies saw me,” said Raul, who struggled to start anew even with a bachelor's degree in business management from the Autonomous University of Baja California and years of experience in customer service and project management at Hewlett Packard. 

“Even though I am fluent in English and Spanish, I felt that they only saw what was on paper and didn’t give me a chance to prove what I can do.” 

A year ago, Raul landed at job at his local Cardenas Market and quickly moved up to their corporate office at Heritage Grocers Group, where he is currently working as a human resources information system (HRIS) coordinator. 

“They recognized my strengths and potential,” he said. “As well as my will to succeed.” 

Today, Raul is channeling that same drive and determination into his next goal: becoming a benefits manager. To prepare, he enrolled in UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s online Human Resource Management Certificate Program, to gain the skills and knowledge to turn his ambition into reality. 

What first drew you to the field of human resources? 

Ever since I was studying for my bachelor’s degree I have been interested in the world of human resources. How to manage human interactions and sets of rules and compensations that help build our communities. How people that feel appreciated and valued bring that value to society and the company they work for—ultimately influencing and inspiring those around them. 

Have you had any past experiences that made you realize HR was something you wanted to pursue more seriously? 

Yes. I believe that often only the “strongest candidate” is considered for a position—based on their credentials, what companies they’ve worked for, what they wear, where they studied. So, my biggest motivation for pursuing a career in HR is to be the change that I needed when I was looking for a job in the U.S. and hopefully be that chance and inspiration for someone else. 

What inspired you to take the next step in your HR journey by enrolling in a certificate program? 

I currently work in an entry-level position in HRIS at Heritage Grocers Group. I believe that to further grow my experience and become a better version of myself and fulfill my goals, I must give a little extra—work experience is key, but good foundations are also essential. 

Why did you choose UC Davis CPE’s HR Certificate Program specifically? Were there any factors that set it apart from other options? 

Before I even moved here, I heard about UC Davis on a constant basis. Growing up in border city, a few of my friends moved to California to pursue their studies. A couple of them graduated from UC Davis, so I was no stranger to the name and prestige this institution represents. I did consider other universities, but the decisive factor in choosing UC Davis is that the program covers the areas I am most interested in. Other programs seemed tedious and repetitive. 

As you prepare to start the certificate, what goals do you have for the next year—and how does this program fit into that vision? 

A very ambitious goal of mine for the next year is to become a benefits manager at Heritage Grocers Group. I believe these studies will give me the tools to make this happen. 

How do you envision applying what you’ll learn in the program to your current or future role? 

I think this program will be applicable to my daily work in the HR department. It will give me a greater understanding of the big picture. 

The class I’m most excited for is Total Rewards because the director of total rewards at my job is one of the reasons I am currently pursuing this program. She is an inspiration. 

What has your experience with UC Davis CPE been like so far—even in these early stages? 

The enrollment process has been easy, and the people who assisted me have been friendly and attentive from the start. I applied for a private student loan to finance this program, and everyone was helpful in making sure I understood the process and how it worked. 

What has surprised you most about the HR field? 

What surprises me most are the people in HR and their capacity to adapt and excel in everything they do. HR is ever changing and always facing new challenges. I believe the capacity to adapt and change are the keys to success.