Daisy

During my childhood, I never realized the complexities of life that people like me would face when wanting to pursue further education beyond high school. My identities as a woman of color, a first-generation high school student, and a Southeast San Diego community member with a lower socioeconomic status have affected my journey. As a child, I was aware of the faint whispers from others with lighter skin while my mother spoke Spanish. I observed the differences in treatment between different cultural identities. Growing up, society, especially through the media, taught me that some people were just “superior” to us whether it was because of money or skin color. I knew what was occurring, but I couldn't understand what justified the treatment of people of color, particularly those in lower-income communities. I just knew people like me didn't “belong” in America because we couldn’t succeed.

Finding the resources that helped me find my voice was challenging, especially as my parents only completed elementary school and do not speak English. My parents have faced unimaginable challenges, coming to a new country very young without speaking English. They pursued opportunities for their future children despite the limited resources and discrimination. Their determination has shaped my life to not be afraid of pursuing my dreams. Growing up in an immigrant household taught me that nothing comes easily. My parents' efforts will not go in vain. They fought to change their narrative without the guidance or educational privileges I have today. I have seen their struggles as not a burden anymore; it drives my passion to pursue further education.

My motivation stems from school and my siblings’ support. My view of seeing my upbringing as a burden has changed through the wisdom of others, the empowerment from my high school teachers, and the inspiration from fellow people of color in STEM. A life-changing experience was taking a community college sociology course in high school, where I learned about the resilience of people of color and the critical role we play in society. I discovered that we are in charge of crafting our narratives, not just for ourselves, but also for our ancestors who fought for our presence here. I connected what I learned in class to my own life.

My siblings have taught me to persevere and advocate for myself, using all the resources my school offers. They are my inspirations, making university feel within reach. Through their empowerment, I have challenged myself and immersed myself in new environments like a summer internship at a pharmaceutical company, where I had the privilege to work alongside professional research lab scientists who taught me presentation skills, lab experience, personal growth, and the power of networking. I was able to be mentored by people of color who grew up similar to me. Experiencing this was truly inspiring as an adolescent who wants to pursue a career in STEM.

Since I was little, I dreamed of helping others through a career in the medical field. Now I am interested in health and wellness careers like nutrition, psychology, and sports medicine. In high school, I struggled to enjoy science, but through AP Biology and a Human Body Systems class, I was able to understand how useful it is to understand our bodies, minds, and nature. This sparked a light in me. Science began to fascinate me. I grew to enjoy science throughout high school because I connected the aspects of health and wellness, something that I have always found enticing, with biology and anatomy.

I wish to encourage future generations who come from communities similar to mine and who are people of color to pursue their dreams. I want future leaders of the world to feel inspired to see that women of color do belong in STEM. Young minds should continue to dream big because we belong in any career we dare to dream. I channel the anger I have for the systemic barriers society has put in place for people of color in marginalized communities into something I’m passionate about: learning and helping others.

This has helped me strive to seize every educational opportunity that comes my way, persisting in rigorous coursework like college and advanced placement classes. I will continue to fight for resources and challenge myself, using education as a powerful tool for empowerment. I know I belong, no matter the obstacles. My knowledge is a treasure that cannot be taken away, and opportunities like these are never to be taken for granted.