For Derrick Hoskin (Bruin story since ’15), the journey to career success was significantly shaped by the support of his father, Reese Hoskin. As the first African American administrator in the Unit 10 school district, Reese served as the Assistant Principal of Collinsville High School and dedicated his life to expanding educational access for all. Derek witnessed firsthand how mentorship and advocacy can transform lives, which fueled his commitment to help UCLA students and graduates discover career pathways that may have previously seemed out of reach.

As a UCLA alum, Derek remains deeply connected to the Bruin community, actively mentoring through the UCLA Sharpe Fellows Program and the Academic Advancement Program (AAP) Alumni Network. His dedication as an alum volunteer has impacted Bruins, who are pursuing careers in business, finance, and leadership.

One of those students is Alejandro Pullom (Bruin story since ’25), a UCLA Simon Fellow and incoming Investment Banking Analyst at Jefferies. As a first-generation professional, Alejandro is stepping into the competitive world of investment banking with the guidance of UCLA alumni mentors like Derek. Inspired by this mentorship, he is already committed to paying it forward, ensuring that future graduates can access the same UCLA alum network and career guidance that helped him succeed.

Together, their journey reflects the power of mentorship, resilience, and the strength of the UCLA alum network—proving that when we support each other, we all rise.