Sporting his dark green Cal Poly San Luis Obispo T-shirt and dark sunglasses, George Ramos was all smiles as he spoke to the students at the Bakersfield College Summer Multicultural Journalism Workshop.

After being in the journalism field for the past 31 years, he had plenty to share about his experiences and his adventures.

“We want the same thing that everyone else wants,” said Ramos, as he described the roles that journalists play in society. “They think we’re out to do something evil.”

He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize three times while working at the Los Angeles Times during the past 25 years, being one of the first Mexican-Americans to receive such an honor. His career has led him to the footsteps of the White House to interview former Presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George H. Bush.

Ramos embraces his Mexican background by taking great pride in speaking and understanding Spanish, writing stories about cultures that struggle with language barriers in America and understanding the other side of the illegal immigration story.

Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Ramos was discouraged by his high school counselor to when he tried to pursue journalism. When applying for a job as a reporter at a local newspaper, the editor mistook his intentions and thought he was applying as a janitor.

“Whatever it is you get to do, be passionate about it,” advised Ramos. “If you’re passionate, you’ll be good at it.”

From his marriage to his reporter’s notebook to the pride he has when bragging about attending every summer Olympics games since 1976, Ramos’ passion for journalism is plain to see.

“We’re there to report the good things. It’s all good. No story is stupid. No question is stupid.”