I grew up in the border towns of Nuevo Laredo/Laredo. As a kid, I enjoyed participating in poetry and speech school competitions. I enjoyed being on the volleyball school team and playing tennis.

I grew up with unconditional support from my parents. My parents always encouraged me to set personal and academic goals. Every year I chose a new goal and I actively work to accomplish it.

Education has always been highly valued in my family. My siblings and I grew up listening to my parents say that the most important thing they could give us was an education. My aspirations and dreams are greatly influenced by the value that my parents have always placed on education.

I think a challenge I experienced specifically in high school and college was dealing with comments that implied that I could not achieve my academic goals. I often perceived that others had inaccurate and biased perceptions of my academic/intellectual ability because I was a Latinx student, and Spanish was my first and primary language.

Despite the perceptions, my mom and dad were my primary motivation and inspiration. My parents always believed in my capacity and strength. There were times I doubted my ability to accomplish my goals, and when I lost faith in myself, they gave it back to me. My parents have always been, and continue to be, my strength when I am weak. Their sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. I will always be thankful for their unconditional support.

I am currently a doctoral student in the school psychology program at the University of Houston. My own experiences have influenced my interest in education and psychology for Latinx students. I am particularly interested in working with Spanish-speaking and Spanish-English bilingual youth. I aspire to use the experience and knowledge I gain in my doctoral training to support the academic advancement and well-being of the Latinx community.

However, one of the most challenging moments in my career has been dealing with “impostor syndrome”. Particularly during my first year of graduate school, there were times that I felt like I did not belong and that my abilities and qualifications were not enough to succeed in a doctoral program.

I think that the best moments in my career are the times I have had the opportunity to work with Latinx families. Using my first language to support and connect with Latinx families always brings me joy and fulfillment. These experiences remind me why I am in a school psychology Ph.D. program, and they keep me going.

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Advice to younger self:

• • For those reading, please do not underestimate your abilities, strength, and resiliency. Embrace your culture, identity, and bilingualism. Know that your work, effort, and dedication will be worth it