Describe your personal, educational, and professional experiences and how they informed your decision to pursue a graduate degree.
I grew up in rural Oaxaca, Mexico. A place known for having the largest group of Indigenous people and beautifully unique cultural traditions. From a young age, I learned that education was not accessible to people around me due to poverty, class, discrimination and injustices. I quickly learned that a career can lead to a brighter livelihood full of opportunities and was inspired by my teachers to excel academically. Luckily for me, my family migrated back to Los Angeles when I was young and I had the privilege of accomplishing my dreams of pursuing a degree and eventually a career.
I ended up going to UC Riverside right after high school and pursued a major in Liberal Studies. Growing up in Oaxaca made me realize the importance of education in all aspects and therefore I wanted to contribute to developing access for others.
My last two years of college, I realized that I did not want to teach, especially not K-12. I wanted to learn about other careers in education such as higher education and policy. When I graduated, I quickly learned that I could not land a job/career that I could be passionate about with my degree. This meant that I had to continue pursuing a graduate degree that would specialize in the field I am most passionate about.
What challenges did you encounter along your educational trajectory? How did you overcome those challenges?
Moving to the U.S, my entire educational trajectory has been a challenge. I left Oaxaca when I was in third grade holding a scholarship from Coca-Cola to not being able to speak, write, read, or understand the language. This drastic change definitely hindered my confidence and sense of self for years to follow.
During my undergraduate experience, I often felt incompetent and insecure on both an academic and personal level. Academically, I did not excel during my first year. I was doing everything in my power to do well, however, I did not understand the concept of learning in college and its banking model of education, which I later learned was not the way I learn.
I could not easily identify with other’s experiences, and therefore felt very isolated. Despite UCR being a very diverse campus, I was could not relate to other Latin@s or Mexican students. Unfortunately, I did not feel the support in order to seek for help from staff, faculty, or advisors due to fear. Not only did I face the layer of being first generation Latina and Mexican. I had to understand my identity as Oaxacan and Indigenous.
In order to overcome these challenges, I found a multicultural Latin sorority which focused on women empowerment, academic excellence, and community service. I quickly viewed these women as role models, and I wanted to follow their steps. I had to maintain a certain GPA, complete library hours, collaborate with other women, and be involved on campus. This encouraged me to seek for help when needed and I finally had a support system that I can rely on; together we accomplished our goals. This helped me on all aspects, I was able to relate more to this group of women and appreciate our cultural similarities and learn from our differences. Interacting with my sorority sisters gave me the confidence to grow with pride in my own unique identity and changed my trajectory.
What advice do you have for individuals who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree?
Research and network! Do your research on potential careers/jobs you are most interested in and familiarize yourself with the educational background/preparation you will need. Once you know what type of degree you are pursuing, you need to research various programs and take into consideration the learning outcomes, admission requirements, and mission of the program itself. For me, my graduate program felt like “the one” as soon as I finished reading the program description and learning outcomes. Network with peers, professors, staff on campus, and anyone that can be a mentor for you and can guide you through your professional journey. You will need a lot of professional support once you are in the professional world and therefore will need a strong foundation.
What did you enjoy most about your graduate/professional program?
I enjoyed being challenged in all possible ways because this is when I experienced the most growth in an academic, professional, emotional, mental, and personal level. I always kept in mind that this experience was temporary, and the outcomes would be worth it, and they absolutely have! Additionally, I enjoyed the new learning environment my program practiced and having supportive faculty invested in our growth. Lastly, I enjoyed being surrounded by a small community of like-minded individuals that are passionate and committed to social justice.
Liliana is currently an internship coordinator and job placement specialist at one of the Los Angeles Community College District campuses. During the weekends you will find her organizing and involved in her community organization focused on Indigenous Oaxacans living in diaspora.
