LoginJoin Bold.org
user profile avatar

Jillian Rousseau

1x

Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Advocacy And Activism
  • African American Studies
  • Social Justice
  • Social Sciences
  • Social Work
  • Law
  • Criminal Justice

Reading

  • Social Issues
  • Social Science
  • Sociology
  • Law

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

I am a senior at UC Berkeley working towards my Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. My skills include multi-tasking, organization, leadership, teamwork, and involvement in community work. Through my experience, I have had the opportunity with contributing to helping serve diverse communities including first-generation, low-income, and students of color. Being a part of these identities myself I truly understand the importance of creating a safe space for us. I am truly fortunate to have the opportunity to have roles that create safe spaces for first-generation, low-income, and students of color within spaces of education. My roles include currently being a part of a research project named Black Lives At Cal. Dedicated to sharing the past and present enriching history of Black individuals on our campus. Making it accessible to all students to see the presence of the Black community on campus. Other roles after transferring to Berkeley include being the Transfer Director for Mixed at Berkeley. A space to recruit and retain mixed students of color. As transfer director, I focused on the recruitment of transfer students who were first-generation, low-income, and students of color with events that shared life at Berkeley. Encouraging each to apply and have a space on our campus. With a passion for social activism and human rights once I receive my Bachelor's Degree in Sociology I plan to become a civil and social rights lawyer. Advocating for system-impacted communities. Advocating for marginalized communities to have their voice heard within the criminal justice system.

Education

University of California-Berkeley

Bachelor's degree program

2022 – 2024

Majors:
  • Sociology

Pasadena City College

Associate's degree program

2020 – 2022

Majors:
  • Sociology

Career

  • Casa Del Rey Sierra Madre

    Restaurants · Casa Del Rey Sierra Madre

    Jan 2020 – Jan 2022

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Law Practice
Dream career goals:
Social Work & Criminal Justice
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
Sola Family Scholarship
One night in high school I had an essay due for my English class. I wanted to get a good grade to the point where I kept reading it over. But wanted to hear the perspective of the woman I most trust: my mother. I remember waiting for my mom to come home late from work that night to listen. Once she came home I told her “Mom can I read this to you?” in excitement. While, she’d say “Of course, Jill. I just need to take off my uniform.” While I was in the other room waiting I could hear her sighing from exhaustion from her long day of work as a waitress at a restaurant. Once she came back in the living room I started reading and I began to see her eyes shut. In my 16-year-old frustration, I’d say “Mom are you listening?” Trying to wake herself up she’d reply “Sorry, baby I’m listening. Just tired.” She would then wake herself up to listen. This was our school routine each week during high school. Every night before my mother went to bed she’d listen to me reading off my essays before submission, class presentations, or practicing for speech and debate. The next morning she would still wake up early and make me lunch. However, as I got older little did I know the tiredness she felt after long days of work dropping me off at school to getting ready for work afterwards. Repeating this process each week with barely one day off of work and still trying to cover shifts to get us by with rent and food. She did this for years and years until I graduated high school and to this day works at a restaurant. She has always been my sole parent. Playing the role of both mom and dad. In reflection, my norm was our struggle. She has always tried to give back to my sister and I. Barely buying anything for herself. I remember being sad in 8th grade because my friends got to buy new clothes and shoes for back to school. My mom knew I felt left out but kept telling me we had to save for food and rent. She then still went out of her way to not make me feel left out even with our financial situation. Then she asked her friend for money and worked to pay it back to take me back to school shopping the night before school so I’d at least have a first-day-of-school outfit. I tell you these stories because they shaped me into the person that I am today. My mother taught me the importance of compassion and sacrifice for the ones that you love. My mother taught me the importance of strength, hard work, and independence. Inspiring me within higher education. Without seeing my mother's perseverance I wouldn’t be where I am today. When I get overwhelmed with school and extracurricular activities I sit back and recognize the fact that my mother worked more than me still persevering. During community college, I worked 20 hours each week maintaining school and extracurricular activities. With my mother as an inspiration I pushed myself to transfer to Berkeley and today, I am a senior getting my B.A. in sociology graduating this Spring. My mother is truly my hero and I push myself in school in hopes to one day be able to build her a better life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my mother and I truly am proud to call her my mom.
Jillian Rousseau Student Profile | Bold.org