Describe your personal, educational, and professional experiences and how they informed your decision to pursue a graduate degree.
As a child of immigrant parents everything in my life has been purposeful and hard work. I was born and raised in South LA and only decided to leave when I got accepted to UCLA. Throughout my childhood, I was exposed to violence; both from my family and neighborhoods, I was always alert of my surroundings, and quickly became passionately invested in pursuing higher education. Getting into UCLA saved my mom from being deported, it also provided me with an education that exposed me to who I was and who I was trying to become. In it, I faced hate crimes, racism, but also met powerful influencers through my Latina Sorority. When I graduated, with a Poli Sci and Int’l Development Studies I really wanted to pursue a career in public affairs, however I landed a really crappy job that taught me 1. What I didn’t want to do, and 2. To pursue what truly moves me without rushing into things that may deviate me from my purpose. I then, got a job as a counselor which enabled me to become a resource navigator and an advocate for communities of color which was so natural to me—as I was the navigator for my parents needs along with my older sister. That’s when it hit me, I want to get more educated on how to heal and empower others with effective tools and so Social Work seemed like the career I needed in my life.
What challenges did you encounter along your educational trajectory? How did you overcome those challenges?
In thinking of challenges, it’s often hard to think of things as challenges for me when working hard has been engraved in me. However, UCLA taught me that challenges come in different forms not just mentally. Along my education I was a victim of a hate crime that could’ve potentially put my life in danger, I was told I didn’t belong because I was too “ghetto”, I was often criticized for my Latina accent and I wasn’t as prepared to write papers with extended vocabulary because well, in South LA we just didn’t have the resources to get after school tutoring. However, what really helped me survive and stay focused was the ability to interconnect my environment with my personal life. I have always been mentally strong and so I decided to link my educational challenges to my life back home and how tough things were there. That mentality gave me strength and resiliency to continue educating myself no matter what people told me.
What advice do you have for individuals who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree?
Do your RESEARCH. Be organized, and consult with people who have done what you are trying to do! We miss so many opportunities sometimes when we don’t research and talk to others. The more the merrier.
What did you enjoy most about your graduate/professional program?
The network, connections, and the education I received to make informed decisions. It was through my program colleagues that I am now a director at the Department of Health Services— LA county and a part-time mental health therapist 🙂
Mayra is currently the Associate Director of Regional Collaboration for Whole Person Care LA. She is mostly involved in the Alternatives to Incarceration Initiative that aims to reduce recidivism and health care for folks who have been impacted by the system.
