Walking through the production floor at Pexco Aerospace didn’t just show Sephen Martinez how airplane interiors are made — it helped him picture his future inside the industry.
“Seeing the different roles and learning how people got hired showed me the steps I need to take to get where I want to go,” said Martinez.
Martinez, a 鶹Ƶ student working toward a career as an aerospace engineer, was among those who visited Pexco Aerospace this spring as part of the Business Leader Society (BLS) Day in the Life Series. The experience offered him a clearer view of his long-term goals while connecting classroom learning to real-world careers.
“The experience solidified my motivation to work in aerospace,” Martinez said. “It helped me understand the type of work I see myself doing and what it takes to get there.”
As outlined in the college’s mission and strategic plan, YVC emphasizes the importance of connecting learning to real‑world community impact. According to Kyle Ashley, a business instructor and advisor to BLS, the club has embraced that direction by creating hands‑on opportunities that bring students face to face with local employers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
ABOVE: YVC BLS students post for a photo during a fieldtrip to Pexco Aerospace. TOP: Adjunct YVC Business Administration Instructor Brittney Hill and senior manager from accounting and consulting firm Larson Gross speaks with students during an event sponsored by the Business Leaders Society.
During the 2025‑26 academic year, BLS launched a series of initiatives designed to support students interested in entrepreneurship and leadership. At the core of those efforts is a clear and practical goal: helping students better understand what careers actually look like — and where meaningful opportunities exist close to home.
A look beyond the job title
In spring 2025, BLS partnered with the engineering club to launch its Day in the Life Series, an initiative that moves beyond traditional career panels or facility tours. Each month, students visit local employers or welcome business leaders to YVC’s Yakima and Grandview campuses to talk candidly about what a typical workday involves — including challenges, decision‑making and career pathways.
“These experiences are designed to go deeper than, ‘Here’s what we do,’” Ashley said. “Students are hearing directly from leaders about what it’s actually like to work there — how they started, what skills matter most and what success looks like in real life.”
Over the past year, students have connected with employers across a wide range of industries, including BX Technologies, Michelson Packaging, Sims Manufacturing, Pexco Aerospace and White Pass Ski Area.
By engaging directly with organizational leaders and employees, students gain exposure to career paths they may not have previously considered — and often discover opportunities that align closely with their interests and values.
Director of Human Resources Andrew Norman from Pexco Aerospace speaks with students of the BLS.
“By engaging with local businesses, we’re seeing increased interest in students starting careers and even businesses right here in Central Washington,” Ashley said.
For Martinez, a conversation with Fernando Coronel, Pexco’s engineering manager, stood out during the club’s visit.
“Fernando was great at explaining the ins and outs of working at Pexco,” Martinez said. “As someone who wants to be an aerospace engineer, that conversation was really helpful to shape the steps I’ll take in the future.”
Learning from those who’ve done it
Complementing the Day in the Life Series is the Entrepreneurship and Leadership Speaker Series, which brings local entrepreneurs and community leaders to campus to share their professional journeys and offer insights into building businesses in Central Washington.
This year’s speakers included Forbes Mercy, a local entrepreneur and civic activist, and Brittney Hill of accounting and consulting firm Larson Gross, who spoke candidly with students about leadership, risk‑taking and navigating career growth.
In early May, the speaker series headed off campus as BLS partnered with The Findry, a Selah‑based business incubator. There, students met with entrepreneurs who are launching home‑based businesses through a retail collaborative, gaining an up‑close look at entrepreneurship in action.
“These conversations are powerful because students see people who look like them, come from this region and are building something meaningful,” Ashley said.
Ty Paxton head of brand management for BX, a farm intelligence platform, and co-founder of Single Hill Brewing speaks with agriculture students on YVC's Yakima Campus.
A growing network — and what’s next
BLS’s work extends beyond monthly events. The club also support YVC’s annual Career and Transfer Fair, connecting hundreds of students with employers and universities.
Selected BLS students also traveled to Wenatchee May 20‑21 to attend the Flywheel Investment Conference, where they networked with entrepreneurs and investors from across the Pacific Northwest and participated in a newly launched student startup competition.
For Ashley, the momentum is energizing.
“It is an exciting time to be part of the Business Leader Society at YVC,” he said. “We’re developing future entrepreneurs and business leaders by connecting students with community — and helping them see what’s possible.”
Story by Stefanie Menard, AA-DTA ’05, communications consultant. Photos by Brandon Mendoza, AA-DTA '19, graphic designer/multimedia content producer and submitted.