From Early College to Summa Cum Laude: How E@W Helped Kettsy Cadena Succeed
Graduation Spotlight
Kettsy Cadena began her college journey at just 17 years old—and with grit, determination, and the support of Education at Work, she didn’t just adapt—she thrived. From earning a full-ride scholarship to graduating summa cum laude, Kettsy’s story is a powerful example of how flexible, supportive work opportunities can empower first-gen students to reach their goals.
Meet Kettsy Cadena: A First-Gen Graduate with a Head Start and a Bright Future
College can be both exciting and intimidating—especially when you’re only 17 years old. For Kettsy Cadena, starting her first semester at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) so young was a bold step. But thanks to her high school’s early college program, she had already completed her associate degree before setting foot on campus, giving her a strong academic foundation and the confidence to take on the challenge.
With a full-ride scholarship in hand, Kettsy dove into university life—but after just one semester, she was ready for more. Determined to gain real-world work experience while staying on top of her academic responsibilities, she attended her university’s job fair and met the Education at Work (E@W) team.
That moment would become a turning point.
After landing a role as a Discover Cells Agent in June 2023, Kettsy quickly found that E@W’s model aligned perfectly with her goals. “Work-wise, I received high-quality training and continuous support from staff and supervisors,” she shared. “I was also blessed by the Tuition Assistance Program, which helped further lift the burden of tuition.”
But it wasn’t just the financial support that made a difference. E@W’s flexible scheduling and remote work options allowed Kettsy to maintain her full-time course load and meet the GPA requirements of her scholarship—without sacrificing her mental well-being.
“Having a schedule that adapts to my school schedule, having my workstation at home, and being able to take time off for exams, projects, and studying helped boost my academic success tremendously while gaining work experience at the same time.”
Through her time with E@W, Kettsy gained critical technical and communication skills, deepened her understanding of customer service tools, and learned how to manage the demands of professional life while in school.
Fast-forward to Spring 2025—Kettsy is now a proud summa cum laude graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing. And she’s not done yet. She plans to continue working at E@W to further her professional development and explore new opportunities.
“Overall, E@W has played a significant role in being my cornerstone for success while in college, and continues to give me stability, mentorship, and a place to grow.”