How Identity Has Influenced an Institutional Research Manager's Career at California University of Science and Medicine
Margarita, a first-generation Latina Institutional Research Manager, shared that navigating higher education presented "many different kinds of challenges, including financial and…discrimination," but this experience built character and propelled Margarita's career. The challenges motivated Margarita to become an example for family and community, hoping to inspire other first-generation Latinx individuals to "thrive as well."
Overcoming Challenges, Resilience, Motivation, Inspiring, First-generation college student
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Margarita Bolanos
Institutional Research Manager
California University Science and Medicine School of Medicine
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
California State University Fullerton (CSUF) Post-Baccalaureate Program; California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM) Master of Biomedical Sciences
Spanish & Other Languages
Education
Research and Development (R&D)
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member, Student Athlete, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Margarita's experience as a first-generation Latina highlights the challenges and rewards of navigating higher education.
2. She emphasizes the impact of financial difficulties and discrimination but also the character-building aspects of overcoming these obstacles.
3. Her career success serves as inspiration for other first-generation Latinx individuals, demonstrating the possibility of thriving in higher education and beyond.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a first-generation Latina, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
Being a first-generation Latina hasn't been easy. Navigating higher education has presented many different kinds of challenges, including financial and even discrimination at times.
However, I feel it's built character. Pushing through those boundaries and being an example for my family and my community has definitely propelled me in my career.
It's nice to be able to show others what is doable and create that path for them. Through my experience and my story, I hope to inspire others to do the same. That way, other first-generation Latinas, Latinos, and Latinx can thrive as well.