Describe your personal, educational, and professional experiences and how they informed your decision to pursue a graduate degree.
Growing up bilingual made me adamant about learning both languages equally well. I taught myself to be equally Mexican and American, but always hold my Mexican culture and value with high standards. This precision to learn and belong made me want to give others inspiration to learn and be successful in life for whatever that means to them. Therefore, I decided to work in a profession where I could educate those that need more support to find success; success to belong socially and academically. I learned how to work with students who struggle to act with appropriate behavior, who have speech delays, and who are slow to learn. These delays impact people to by making them feel excluded and different. My job is to help them attain a life using their personal strengths and capabilities.
What challenges did you encounter along your educational trajectory? How did you overcome those challenges?
The challenge I faced during my education was the uncertainty of what profession I wanted to pursue. Being a first generation graduate, I didn’t know how to take advantage of my opportunities to further my career as an undergraduate. I was distracted by “my firsts”. My first time away from home, my first time staying out late to parties, my first love, my first roommate fight. Nevertheless, I finished my undergraduate degree with exceptional grades, but like many recent Bachelor’s graduates, I asked, “now what?!”. I then completed a post-baccalaureate program to become a speech therapist assistant and after 4 years working, I felt stuck! Then, I found true love and with that love came faith, which helped me decide what career to pursue. It all fell into place! My career success was composed of mistakes, no social life, late nights studying, and faith. In the end, si se pudo!
What advice do you have for individuals who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree?
Pursuing a graduate degree is a commitment and certainty of what you want to pursue. You need to want it and love it! Even though while you’re completing your program, you may hate it! You will ask yourself why you decided to complete a graduate degree! It is hard and it is exhausting! But when you’re done, you’ll be immensely proud of yourself! After your degree you’ll feel prepared for a professional job. Yes, you’ll be nervous but you’ll be confident because you’ll believe and prove that you can!
What did you enjoy most about your graduate/professional program?
The thing I enjoyed the most about my graduate program were the people who were there to support me. Those people were my professors, my best friends, and my co-workers. Most importantly, I enjoyed coming home to the people that unconditionally believe that I could; my parents, my sister, and my husband.
