After graduating from Bruce-Guadalupe Middle School, Eibar attended the University School of Milwaukee on scholarship and graduated with a cumulative GPA above a 4.0.

“From a very young age, my parents always instilled the importance of education in my siblings and me. They believed in the long-term benefits education brings,” Eibar said. “Naturally, college was always the next step in my life trajectory. It was something I wanted for myself, but most importantly, something I wanted to do for my parents for the sacrifices they made when immigrating to the United States.”

However, at the cusp of National College Decision Day 2020, Eibar found himself stuck. He had exhausted the limited financial aid options available to him and, for the first time in his life, he thought college might no longer be a possibility due to affordability.

“I remember getting a call from Allison Wagner [Founding Executive Director of All-In Milwaukee] the week before National College Decision Day,” Eibar shared. “Within a few days, after sharing a bit about where I was with the college process, Allison and Darren Jackson [All-In Milwaukee Founder and Board Chair] were able to negotiate a great financial aid package with Marquette University. Today, I hold a bachelor’s degree with no debt.”

After graduating magna cum laude from Marquette University with a degree in marketing and information systems, Eibar set himself on what he would describe an ‘unconventional route’ to life after college. Eibar is currently a freelance marketing and public relations (PR) consultant, operating under his own established LLC: ermgalore, LLC.

“Venturing on an entrepreneurial route to marketing and PR was something I never anticipated doing, but something that was necessary for me to do,” Eibar described. “I feel like I finally have autonomy over my career and I am happy in the position I am right now. Seeing the value I am providing for others is rewarding.”

Through his freelance gig, Eibar currently serves as a consultant for Mueller Communications, a leading marketing and public relations agency in Milwaukee. He also has other clients outside of this.

The All-In Milwaukee program was fate and the reason why he was able to attend college. When at Marquette, Eibar went all-in with his education and the programs offered to him. Eibar was part of the first peer leaders cohort, participated in career networking opportunities and maintained regular communication with his scholar advisor.

Eibar indicates his relationship with his then scholar advisor, Irving Ibarra, as his favorite part of the program.

“Irving to me is a hero. He permanently lives in a list on my notes app that’s titled ‘5 Career and Life Role Models,’” Eibar assured. “Irving has consistently advocated for me as a student when dealing with internships and scholarship questions and always provides the best advice for how to carry myself in a professional setting.”

Irving was helpful when finding ways to connect Eibar to the greater Milwaukee workforce. By leveraging the career partner relationships All-In Milwaukee has with several firms and agencies, Eibar earned three internship experiences at Core Creative, Baird and Johnson Controls.