Scholar Voice: How do I align my career path with my passion for human rights and social injustice

I started my journey at Lafayette College who intended to study economy and face many challenges trying to decide what I wanted to pursue after graduating from college. My class is full of stem courses, and I feel not ready for the trip that I will submit.

Three weeks entering the semester, I struggled in almost every class I took. I was forced to withdraw from my chemistry class and was barely successful with my mathematical and economic class. When I receive the medium -term value, I know I need to adjust. After some discussions with my advisor, the dean of the class and a mentor, I realized that I was not interested in pursuing the economy as someone who cared about the economy; I did it because my potential had to make a living for myself after graduating. I don’t want to compromise my happiness and welfare to do something that I know I will not dedicate 100 percent of my desires.

After taking “Introduction to Sociology and Poverty in America,” I was determined to learn more about social and structural inequality that negatively influenced my community and how I could do meaningful work to have a positive impact on the generation after me.

TGR Foundation is very helpful in my struggle for years. As an Earl Woods scholar, I was paired with an extraordinary mentor, the Walsh team, who opened the network and his family for me and was very active every year. I appreciate the team and his wife, Carol, for everything they have done for me. They took the time to find out who I was and very helpful on my trip. With the support of the team and Carol, I can secure my first internship in a local non -profit organization, where I can experience social work at the macro level.

I have realized that I am committed to being a clinical social worker, not only because I want to fix the problem of corruption and stigma that floods the social welfare system but also because I want to be an ally for young people and families who experience the same situation me meetEd in my childhood.

Alma Gutierrez, Director of the TGR Foundation Program, also plays a major supporting role in my success in all tertiary institutions. He gave me certainty that was needed when I did not feel my best about my academic situation and took the time to help me map like what the definition of my success. The endless support of everyone allows me to accept the changes I experienced and gave me the tools needed to be successful in moving forward.

At this point in my life, I am Extraordinary Proud of everything I can achieve. I have made it through each of my obstacles own face this far. I became the first in my family who graduated from college or university. I was accepted at Boston University, my school’s first choice to pursue my social work master, and I kept trying to be a positive role model for my family. Hold in the futureI have a lot of uncertainty, but I am determined to continue to try to be someone who can have a positive impact on the lives of others.