Tech Center Manager Alex Blanco has been working at Del Mar for the past two years.
He enjoys helping others with their daily technical issues and values the impact he has on students and teachers.
“Once I accomplish something, it’s tangible. I know I fixed it,” said Blanco.
Blanco’s days are filled with a variety of hardware and software challenges, handling everything from shattered screens and hardware repairs to Wi-Fi connectivity issues.
In high school, he originally envisioned a career in law, driven by a desire to advocate and help those in difficult circumstances.
However, he realized he wasn’t built for the traditional academic pressure, because he preferred self-study over sitting through hours of lectures.
This led him to graduate from UC Santa Cruz with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. This analytical background led him to a role as a Data Analyst shortly after graduation.
Within a few months, he felt that the work lacked the immediate helpful impact for others that he had initially thought of.
“I just didn’t like it, it wasn’t my type of work,” Blanco said, expressing that the work didn’t match his goals.
Seeking a role where he could see the impact of his hard work and feel useful, he transitioned into information technology.
After a couple of years in the Evergreen School District, where his first job as a technician took place, he brought his skills to Del Mar.
Having spent two years at Del Mar, Blanco is now looking to take on more complex IT roles, as he prepares for his own next step.
He encourages the graduating seniors of 2026 to look at the real picture of their future before committing to a career path.
“Think of your personality, what are you good at? What can you do every day?” Blanco said.
In a world increasingly shaped by AI and changing labor markets, Blanco’s final message to students is to take their time and ensure the path they choose is truly their own decision, rather than just what they are told to do.
