Marcus Portillo is a Cal State LA Alumni and an Associate Engineer for  Southern California Gas Company. He was determined to take a different  career path, until a guest speaker in high school talked about  engineering. When pursuing his career, Marcus felt very discouraged when  told he wasn't "smart enough" and after failing his first calculus  class. Despite the long struggles throughout his six years in college,  Marcus persevered and successfully became an engineer.  Interview conducted by Refining Purpose CEO Darla Cozzarelli.