Faith, mi fe, has been my saving grace in some many instances throughout graduate school and my ever-emerging career as a developmental scientist. There have been so many instances in life where, had I relied on the sheer facts I wouldn’t be where I am at today nor would I be who I am today. So, before you stop reading this blog post hear me out. It may just show you that faith has been frolicking in your life too. It was summer 2018, I was getting ready to drive down to the suburbs of Maryland where I would be living for the summer because I had landed an internship at the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES). I was so excited, wide eyed and bushy tailed; ready to take on the world. I remember thinking how was it possible that the daughter of two undocumented immigrants was interning with the federal government. It truly blew my mind that somehow the right people and opportunities came across my path. I remember walking into the U.S. Department of Education and roaming the hallways to go get my badge and thinking how crazy that ME, a first-generation Latina was entering this federal space in Washington, D.C.! I grew up in Arizona so anything on the East coast seemed like foreign land to me. And now I was entering these very spaces I thought were out of reach. I had no idea what to expect at my internship especially since it was my first encounter with the world outside of academia as an aspiring PhD. The most comforting part and feeling that reminded that I was where I needed to be was the open arms with which IES/National Center for Education Research (NCER) team received me. From day one, they made me feel like I belonged. They held my hand every step of the way in learning everything that was new to me, especially about navigating this new environment. Being in this new space challenged how I thought about research and most importantly opened my eyes to how I had way more to offer than I initially thought going into the internship. I went into the internship being on the fence about staying in academia, so this was really an opportunity to find myself professionally, except what I did not expect is that I would also start finding that authentic self within me that had been suppressed for way too long. I began to fully come together as a human. In the 10 weeks, I spent at IES/NCER. I learned everything there is to know about being a program officer for a research funding agency. I also got to learn about ALL the awesome career opportunities available to me outside of the academy because my internship supervisors provided me so MANY opportunities to network within the department and all over D.C. And while I was learning all these great things, I was also learning a lot about myself. During my internship, I would spend my lunch hour reading a book called “Rediscovering Your Greatness”. In these personal lunch time lessons, I learned about how I actually play a really active role in my life (even when I don’t believe it) and that even though some things look like they happened “on accident” that is truly not the case. Everything that happens in our lives, happens for us and takes us exactly where we need to be. That’s when I realized the great role my faith plays in who I am as a person, but also my career. I remember prior to landing the internship, I was feeling very lost about what my future would hold. I knew I didn’t want academia, but didn’t know where my life could take me with this new found uncertainty. I honestly felt so helpless, but something kept me going. And yes, it was my “Why”, my family, my loved ones, and community, but there was something bigger inside of me, this feeling that kept me going even when I thought I would give up. I truly believe that was my faith, mi fe, in knowing that this path was for me even if it was veering off into the non-academic world; even when I couldn’t explain it in precise words. Sure, the other things like your “why”, your family, your loved ones, and your community keep you going, but at the end of the day I think it’s that feeling many of us can’t explain (which is God, faith, the universe) that reminds us every day we are on our “right” path through the people around us, the opportunities that show, and those “happy accidents” that change our lives. Looking back, I see how so many “happy accidents” occurred during my internship that led me to important stepping stones for my future. For instance, the summer of my internship was the first time I ever encountered the organization Child Trends. As a first-generation Latina, I didn’t know I could use my PhD to go work for a research organization and do more applied research. During my internship, I got connected with folks there and I conducted a few informational interviews that summer. And for those that don’t know the important connection here about Child Trends is that I work for them now!!!! I also first learned about the Society for Research on Child Development Federal Policy Postdoctoral Fellowship during my internship. Before my internship, I had no idea this fellowship was an opportunity I could pursue. And thanks to one of internship supervisors, I was informed of this opportunity and she encouraged me to apply. Thanks to my supervisor believing I could and should pursue the fellowship, I successfully landed both the SRCD Federal and State fellowships, and just wrapped up 2 years of the SRCD Federal Policy Fellowship at the Office of Head Start. I share these two specific examples because it shows you how everything comes full circle even when you least expect it. This is why it is important to follow that faith, that gut feeling because it can be setting you up for the next great thing without you realizing. I hope the next time that you are feeling hopeless about graduate school or your future career that you stop and have some faith. Stop and listen to that part of you that KNOWS what you want and where you want to go. Also have some faith in the God above and the universe (or whoever or whatever you believe in) that everything is working in your favor because I believe it is. I am rooting for you. You got this. And of course, you can’t do all this alone so make sure to talk to your loved ones, you hype squad because sometimes our Faith and God speaks through them too. Paz y Amor- Lorena |
AuthorDr. Lorena Aceves unapologetically telling you the real deal about being brown in an academic world, but deciding she is going to be her authentic self and make her wildest dreams come true en esta vida! Archives
November 2022
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