As a first-year and first-generation Latina college student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance and certification as a financial planner, my goal is to help others confidently navigate their financial choices. Driven by a desire to empower people with personalized and reliable advice that aligns with their goals and values, I am committed to making finance more accessible and meaningful for individuals, especially those in underserved communities. My interest in finance began during my junior year of high school, when I interned at The Haverford Trust Company in Radnor, PA. This experience sparked my passion for supporting individuals as they face financial decisions and helped me develop key skills and insights into the industry. During my internship, my fellow interns and I learned about the rise and fall of the department store, Sears. We explored its failure to adapt to market trends and customer preferences, ultimately leading to bankruptcy. This lesson stuck with me, especially because of my parents’ small business, a corner store that has thrived by embracing change and adapting to new technology. My parents incorporated features like a touchscreen order kiosk and expanded their offerings to include smoothies, all demonstrating how adaptation is crucial for success. Witnessing my parents’ success in owning their business with the help and support of financial professionals deepened my interest in the field. Since then, I have taken opportunities to connect with professionals in various sectors of the financial services industry, learn more about their work, and apply their insights to my own life. For instance, I attended a guest speaker event for Immaculata University’s Finance Society, where I learned more about wealth management, investing, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Additionally, my passion for finance has been reinforced by a personal finance course I took during my first semester of college with an inspirational professor. With this, the aspect of helping others with something so important in their lives, and the successful outcomes from it, excites me. However, growing up, I did not know much about money until I took financial literacy classes in high school and college. This lack of financial education is common, especially within the Latino community. For so long, we have viewed discussing money as taboo or disrespectful because of the prioritization of survival versus investment. Additionally, there can be mistrust in financial institutions due to financial or banking crises in numerous Latin American countries. With this, I believe there is a significant need for improvements in serving underserved communities to ensure that everyone has access to clear, effective financial resources and support. One area I think needs improvement is exposure to financial education. Many students, especially in underserved communities, do not receive basic financial education until their late academic careers, if at all. To improve, schools should integrate financial literacy courses as early as elementary school and continue into high school. Making sure topics like budgeting, saving, investing, and credit are easily accessible encourages students of diverse backgrounds to empower their financial choices early. As a first-generation Latina college student, I can bring a unique perspective and deep commitment to making finance more inclusive. My experiences have shaped my understanding of what many face, and I am determined to use my education and skills to help close the gap in financial literacy. By pursuing a career in finance, I hope to make a meaningful impact on those I serve and empower individuals to make informed financial choices and advocate for greater inclusion within the industry. So far, my experiences have prepared me to contribute thoughtful solutions to the industry and support others in achieving financial success.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop. In the next five years, I envision creating a positive environmental impact in my community through various forms of giving back in big or small ways. After graduating from Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School, I hope to maintain a strong connection with the school community, especially the students. I plan to share my experiences in college and mentor them, which is essential for aiding the next generation. I say this because Cristo Rey has given me countless opportunities, such as internship experience, extracurricular activities that nurture my leadership and interpersonal skills, and a unique college-preparatory curriculum that has paved my path for the future. By sharing my experiences and mentoring other students, I will pay it forward and show my gratitude for what the school and its community have done for me and many others over its 13 years. In addition to mentorship, I aspire to give back by helping others with the help of my church group. Through community service, like community clean-ups, and giving what I can, whether it is money, time, or necessary resources such as food and clothing, I strongly believe these actions will foster a greater sense of community and togetherness, especially during times of dire need or hardship. The communities I belong to are ones I care deeply about and will continue to consider myself a part of for many years to come. Furthermore, by pursuing a degree in finance and a career in the Financial Services industry as a personal financial advisor, I see a great opportunity to make a significant difference in my community. I want to help individuals navigate their financial goals and challenges with thorough advice and guidance. To me, finance is not just about managing money, it is about creating hope and greater opportunities, and by helping others, especially in my community, I can make a difference and break the stigma around financial conversations and promote financial literacy. Ultimately, my goals for a positive environmental impact on my communities are rooted in gratitude for the opportunities I have had, as well as a commitment to giving back in whichever way possible. Whether it is through community service, mentorship, or detailed financial guidance, I am dedicated to making a positive impact on those around me, leading to a transformation of my community for the better. In this way, I hope to cultivate a culture of opportunity, kindness, and service.

“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and feel the rain, but you are not the rain.” – Matt Haig. Over the past four years, particularly since the pandemic, I’ve found myself to be a perfectionist in various areas of my life. I’ve strived to be perfect and make minimal mistakes in my academics and social circles. For instance, I’ve tried to hold back my emotions or opinions in group circles to maintain the image of a flawless student, friend, sister, and coworker. This tendency to overanalyze my words, thoughts, and actions and those of others, only added to unnecessary stress, leading to isolation and a sense of loneliness as I pushed friends and family away. To combat this, I’ve gotten help from my school counselor, Mr. Webster, who has significantly changed my self-perception and outlook on life and the world. He taught me the importance of focusing on my tasks and responsibilities rather than being overwhelmed by the responsibilities of others. With his support, I’ve learned to prioritize my personal growth and process my emotions in healthy ways, which has enhanced my self-awareness and empathy. Additionally, I’ve learned that I have control over how my emotions and experiences are shaped, boosting my self-esteem and resilience. Through prayer and attending mass at my local church, I’m also developing new techniques to manage stress and overthinking. I have learned that I need to grow those relationships with others by practicing daily affirmation and continuing to foster relationships with loved ones by keeping in touch regularly and realizing that it’s ok not to be perfect all the time but to work on areas of growth that I can perfect and feel good about myself. Now, I understand the value of nurturing my relationships with loved ones through regular communication and accepting that perfection is unattainable. Embracing the idea that it’s okay not to be perfect has allowed me to feel more comfortable with my growth journey. Thanks to Mr. Webster's guidance, I’ve cultivated a sense of responsibility and agency over my life, ultimately reshaping my self-esteem, resilience, and how I navigate challenges in my world.