Mentoring is “invaluable” for aspiring computer engineer

Why does the San Diego Education Fund scholarship work for Rhilo Soto?

Reason No. 1, the SDSU sophomore said, is the in-person mentoring  he receives from Program Manager Mary Castleberry.

“She told me the resources I would need to actually pick out my classes to get started in college,” Rhilo told the education fund’s Board of Directors Jan. 13. “That has been an invaluable resource to me.”

The scholarship covers multiple years. That’s important for the aspiring computer engineer. To run the computer-assisted drafting programs he needs to keep up with assignments, Rhilo has had to pay to beef up the hardware at his home in Mira Mesa.

He told the board that the scholarship application process was easy to complete online. Gathering recommendation letters from two teachers was not a steep hurdle, he said.

A graduate of Mira Mesa High School, Rhilo works as a lifeguard at the Miramar College pool. He also teaches swimming and water safety lessons to children.