Life is all or nothing for Central Connecticut sophomore Fernando Galdamez.

“My future has always been important to me. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t working my hardest to achieve something. Keeping my eyes on the prize, whatever that prize may be, is all that matters,” Galdamez said.

As he continues to power through his sophomore year of college, Galdamez relies on the drive he says he inherited from his parents, both immigrants from El Salvador. Their determination has inspired him to continuously work hard and he credits them for learning the importance of standing his ground and never being a quitter.

“My parents always made sure we knew how important [education] was, especially my mother. She always pushed us to do our best and helped us until we were good enough to do it alone,” Galdamez said.

The sense of independence truly began to settle in for Galdamez when he reached high school. He recalls late night study sessions, college-prep work and a lot of structure. But through his struggle, he found his future career path.

“You learn how important working hard is in college and as time goes on, you strengthen those skills, like determination. That’s something that’s really important because classes get really challenging and require more work,” Galdamez said.

“In high school, I took a marketing class and did well, so when I went to college I thought marketing was it for me,” Galdamez continued. “But as I am in college taking these classes I start thinking, ‘What am I doing here? Where is this degree going to take me?’ You start thinking of other things that are outside your major.”

Although a marketing degree is still a part of his goal, Galdamez continues to throw multiple possibilities up in the air for his next potential projects after graduation, including attending a law school, thinking that marketing and law are very similar. Whatever he decides, it will not be disappointing.

“Fernando is always trying to explore a different place and find new things, which he does through everything in life,” Leo Salcedo, Galdamez’s co-worker, said. “He is, for the most part, always on task and is on top of everything. He is a pretty hard worker and also an efficient one. He is always willing to do whatever it takes to help out customers and improve on the store.”

Crossing the halfway point of college, Galdamez is aware it is time to start making a serious plan for himself and to begin using the various skills he’s learned for real life.

“If you miss one part then you have to go back to get the brick and put it inside the knowledge you’re building to continue growing. Some people have it built up to the top, while others are still learning the foundation,” Galdamez said.

“As you get closer to your degree, you must try to get the most out of your college experience while here and being the best you can be,”  Galdamez shared. “People have to keep moving forward, that’s all there is to it. Have your eyes exactly where you want it to be and it will make it possible.”