By Allison Morgan
In just five years, Marathon native Alejandro Parrado has gone from breaking the mold as a first-generation college student to breaking orbit as a spaceflight company engineer.
Not long ago, these dreams seemed out of reach, but with the help of Take Stock in Children Monroe and some hard work, his career has taken off as an engines test manufacturing engineer at Blue Origin.
“I remember thinking I wanted to go to college but didn’t know how I was going to pay for it,” Parrado said. “I was presented with the opportunity to apply for the Take Stock program and that’s when I realized I had the opportunity for postsecondary education.”
Parrado was awarded a four-year full-ride Florida Prepaid scholarship from Take Stock, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for children in low-income families by providing scholarships, mentors and hope. He applied and was accepted to several Florida universities, but when he visited the University of Central Florida, he fell in love with the campus.
“I decided to pursue an industrial engineering degree,” Parrado said. “I focused on the manufacturing side because I enjoy working with carbon fiber and fiberglass.”
Parrado completed five internships while working on his bachelor’s degree. During his college years, he discovered his passion for rockets.
“Growing up, I never got to see a shuttle launch or landing, but I always read books about it,” he said. “I never thought I’d get so involved with rockets, but once you start working with them you become passionate, and then you get to see what you worked so hard on launch. It’s something that is prideful and the possibilities are endless.”
Before graduating, he interned at Blue Origin and dreamed of working there in a permanent position. In September 2024, those dreams came true when he accepted a position with the company in Van Horn, Texas.
In the past few months, he has already been a part of two rocket launches: a payload launch and an astronaut launch. Parrado wrote the work instructions necessary to get the engine tested and ready for flight.
According to Parrado, none of this would be possible without Take Stock and the mentorship of Chuck Licis-Masson, the program’s executive director.
“I went from a kid from a small town in the Florida Keys to now being a part of the space industry,” Parrado said. “I was able to tell Mr. Licis-Masson ‘This is what I’m doing now, and I wanted to tell you this investment you made in me was worthwhile.’ I stand out as an example of what is possible with the help of Take Stock.”
Licis-Masson has seen Parrado’s determination since the latter was a 10th-grade student at Marathon High School.
“To see him go from where he came from – not knowing what his future would hold – to living out his dream makes you proud of him,” Licis-Masson said. “I hear the joy in his voice and see the smile on his face because he’s doing what makes him happy.”
More information about Take Stock in Children Monroe is available from Licis-Masson at chuck.licis@monroecountyedfound.com or at 305-293-1546.
