If you are looking for a motivational speaker that encourages middle school or high school students to further their education and make something of themselves, I'm that person. Not only do I encourage students, but I also like to encourage people in the community to climb their way out of minimum-wage jobs.
I was raised on the ghetto side of Dimmitt, Texas, a small town in the south with few opportunities as far as a professional career. As an eleven-year-old kid I worked in the crop fields during the summers. I pulled myself out of poverty by making good decisions. I have so many positive memories to share in a way that it will help the audience I speak to. You will hear my story.
I attended high school, in Dimmitt, Texas, and in 1976 my family moved up to Oregon -- I was only a sophomore. I went on to graduate from Gervais High School. I made a decision to further my education after high school. I attended Chemeketa Community College. Through intensive hard work I earned an Associates of Computer Science Degree.
It was not easy finding a job after graduating from college, I worked long hours loading furniture at Stanton Industries -- a factory. All my family worked there and they helped me get a job there. Once again, I felt I was working in a labor job that paid very little. I didn't give up, I kept applying at different places.
After working at the furniture factory for six months, I received a call from the Oregon Department of Transportation. They were hiring and they wanted to interview me. In 1982 a new beginning unfolded for me as an information technology professional. I went on to work for several agencies as a software engineer. I finished up my thirty-one-year career with the State of Oregon at age fifty five. In 2013 I retired with a full-benefit package -- huge goal accomplished!
Author David Espinoza at Walkway above Willamette River in Salem, Oregon.
My passion had always been writing inspiring sports stories. While holding down a day job I would write during my lunchtime and in the evenings. I'm now an author and have written four books. I was always a three-sport athlete while attending school and enjoyed all of the positive and rewarding experiences. As an author, my focus is on non-fiction and realism-fiction. My new career now is writing and keynote speaking.
I'm confident that I can encourage many students, or anyone looking for direction. I was once a less-fortunate kid struggling and wondering if there was a better way. I never understood why my parents lived the way they did -- with six kids and very little money. I dug deep to learn how to be more successful in life -- I didn't want to feel like I was spinning in the mud and not getting anywhere. I'm living proof that if you work hard and educate yourself, you can live a decent life and support a family some day. I want to encourage other people and help them. Answering questions at the end of my presentation is one of my favorite parts of speaking -- that's when I can really help each individual.
I would love to come speak at your school, organization, or your event. My fee is normally $400.00 for one hour saving the last ten or fifteen minutes for questions. I live in Salem, Oregon, so if you're outside of Oregon, I would ask for my flight to be paid. Local schools in the Willamette Valley, I'd be more than glad to negotiate a fee with you, since my travel would not be far. Thank you so much and I look forward to speaking at your venue -- please contact me.
David Espinoza
email address: espi42@comcast.net
website: www.davidespi.com