“I am a first-generation college student who was completely unfamiliar with the entirety of the college experience. However, despite my unfamiliarity with college, I have enjoyed the experience and am more than excited to continue! If I ever have a doubt, I feel reassured since I know I can seek guidance from any of the members of the CSE program. To this day I am beyond thankful to have access to this program.”

What inspired your interest in business?
Frankly, when I first made the decision to major in business I wasn’t entirely sure how my life would be during or after college. I only knew that I believed a career in this field would introduce to me a world that I knew little of. Still, I was somehow adamant on the belief that this major would present challenges that would push me out of my comfort zone and lead me toward becoming my best self. Thankfully, my intuition was correct. I am overwhelmingly happy with my major and the extensive amount of opportunities The Bauer College of Business offers. Through this major, I have been able to use my self-driven personality to explore and take advantage of many opportunities.

What would your dream job/accomplishment be?
Currently, I am unsure where I want to be after I graduate from college. As of now, I am still exploring various fields within my major and several accounting service lines such as advisory, audit, and tax. Because of this, I’m not entirely sure of what I believe my dream job is. However, this past year I’ve had the opportunity to attend a couple of professional events that have helped me realize that work culture is critical for job satisfaction. Because of this, I am currently investing much time in exploring various firms and connecting with professionals to learn more about different companies. The end goal is to see if their company values align with mine. Despite the uncertainty regarding my career, I can safely say my dream accomplishment would be to work in a company where I feel appreciated, motivated to do better, and continuously grow as a person.

How did you hear about CSE?
I first heard about The Center for Student Empowerment through The Café College Houston organization. This is an organization that offers resources and a wealth of knowledge regarding anything related to college. The organization is specifically oriented towards high school students but will accept anybody who wishes to learn more about higher education. After learning about CSE, I one day stumbled upon their office and was greeted with friendly smiles and amazing resources. I can undoubtedly say that the biggest benefit of the CSE program has been the availability and counsel of all the professionals. If I ever have a doubt, I feel reassured since I know I can seek guidance from any of the members of the CSE program. To this day I am beyond thankful to have access to this program.

What would you say to someone experience a personal challenge that is affecting their academics?
Having to manage personal issues in addition to academics can be one of the hardest situations many students experience. Because of this, it is critical to understand these situations are normal and almost inevitable. A piece of advice from my own experience would be to understand that things will work out and one way or another life will continue. Failing an exam or not obtaining ideal results on various assignments, does not mean life is over. Focus on the positives of a situation, whether that is the knowledge obtained from experience or the newfound motivation to become a better person. Learn from past mistakes and focus on the person you want to become. Failures are inevitable but they are also the experiences that allow us to grow and have a sense of fulfillment. My belief, which I encourage anyone reading this to meditate over, is that true success comes from experiences and not results. To truly feel successful, a task must be completed through earnest and dedicated work. Celebrate perfect results without infatuating over them. Instead, focus on the process and remain loyal to your values. Recognizing what motivates you and the things you feel passionate about will help you get through any hardship. Lastly, I also believe it is important to recognize that college is generally a very small part of our lives. Because of this, I would recommend enjoying the experience and using this time to learn more about yourself. You can do it!