"There is a lack of Hispanic people trained in the sciences and engineering. We're planting the seed of going to college and pursuing a career".

"One person took a chance on me. I was a migrant worker and came to Minnesota in 1997 for the Green Giant corn harvest. A person told me about an educational program and about loans that were available. I took a chance and pursued it. I had given up on school. I thought I didn't need a college degree to make it in life. I learned the hard way. My father, brother and I worked for minimum wage with no hope of having a better life. We're trying to give these kids direction so they don't waste their time or their lives."

By Baldo Valle, SHPE program, engineer in 3M Intellectual Property department