Ruben Rivas Auto-biography

My name is Ruben Rivas, I recently worked in marketing for Caterpillar. I graduated from Lander University in 2013 with a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication, I have also done some work as a soccer journalist/analyst, radio/television host and as a social media manager, most of these experience came during college. 

El Salvador 

I was born in El Salvador in 1984, the son of a lawyer who spent most of his life as a high school teacher and finishing Law School, a saleswoman that came to the United States in 1988 as war refugee from the civil war in El Salvador.

Living with my grand-parents, at 11 years old, I was recruited to play for CD Aguila u12, at 14; I was the best right back in the league and made the regional team, leading to playing regional tournaments in Panama at Copa Texaco, being in the national team U14 radar, representing Zona Oriental in El Salvador. Playing for former El Salvador National team's coach Juan Ramon Paredes (El Salvador, Aguila, Fas, Alianza) and next to former Concacaf Champions League player Luis Perla (Metapan, Aguila, Fas).

Moving to the United States 

I was 16 years old when I moved to Palos Verdes California in 2000 from San Miguel, El Salvador. I went to Peninsula Palos Verdes High School for about a year and a half then moved to Columbia South Carolina with my family.  I graduated from Dutch Fork High School in 2003 with very limited English. I went to Midlands Technical college untill 2005 when I decided to move back to Los Angeles to play for Cal State Los Angeles, that did not work out due to academic standards by the university.  When I was in Los Angeles, I played semi-profesional soccer next to MLS former star Luis Silva. 

While in Los Angeles, I was involved helping as a production assistant for a documentary, I also worked as an extra for a movie, did a few jobs as a customer service representative and store model at Hollister in San Fernando Valley.

After a trial with the LA Galaxy in which I made the second round, I moved back to South Carolina with the idea of finishing college. I was enrolled at Lander University where I played soccer for 2 seasons for ex New York Cosmos goalkeeper Van Taylor and current Toronto FC player Clement Simonin, soccer didn't go so well because of knee injuries. 

At Lander; I was part of their TV and Radio Station.  I worked for Dr. Robert Stevenson in the Lander TV Station, I helped with the production of news and other tv programs. I did news packages for Professor Sharon Johnson now working as a news reporter for Fox Carolina News in Greenville South Carolina. I also did video editing for Professor Jason Brown.  I produced 3 radio shows at XLR Lander University; “The Ruben Rivas Show, XLR Deportes and The Soccer Show.” 

Back to South Carolina 

At Lander I was part of the film festival that Mr. Paul Crutcher organizes along with Dr. Stevenson. I helped to produce an amateur film.  I have always been interested in producing radio, televisión, and films.

I have some coaching experiences working for hall of famer Coach Phil Savitz at Irmo High School and as an assistant coach for Newberry College. 

In the future I will like to expand my career as a journalist in sports, politics and art, I will also like to work on films, tv and radio.  I am passionted about every aspect of communication.  I will like to own a production company one day, I will like to produce radio, tv and films.   

Soccer and journalism are my passions.