Turning Challenges into Change: How My Heritage Shaped My Financial Journey

Walking into the classroom, where everything was unfamiliar—the culture, the language, the people—was intimidating and, at times, felt impossible to overcome. But this fear fueled my determination, pushing me to develop resilience and adopt the mindset that “knowledge is power.” This belief taught me to approach life with curiosity and a willingness to learn.

In my family, discussions about money were almost nonexistent. It wasn’t until I began working as a financial consultant in college that I learned about resources I had never encountered before. This experience opened my eyes to a significant gap in financial education within my community. Even though resources exist for Hispanic communities, they often fail to connect on a culturally relevant level.

During my time as a financial consultant during my college years, I noticed that many people seeking financial advice, whether at work or through personal relationships, lacked basic knowledge about managing money and saving, especially among Hispanic youth. Motivated to make a difference, I joined a college program called “Hermanitos,” which means “little brothers” in Spanish. We visited high schools with predominantly Hispanic students, encouraging them to pursue higher education and guiding them through the unique challenges they faced as Hispanic students.

Many of these struggles mirrored my own experiences as a Hispanic student aspiring to attend college. After high school, I applied to the local university but was initially denied admission due to my immigration status. However, I refused to let that deter me. Alongside a high school friend, we became the first two students in New Mexico to be accepted into a university under our then-current immigration status. I am proud to see that these guidelines have since evolved, making higher education more accessible to students with varying immigration statuses.

Another challenge I faced as a Hispanic college student was the inability to qualify for financial aid or scholarships, which meant I could only afford two or three classes at a time, significantly extending my time to graduate. To help others avoid similar struggles, I expanded the “Hermanitos” program into a national chapter. This opened doors to collaborate with corporations like Procter & Gamble and Lockheed Martin, securing grant funding for the program and creating paid internships for non-U.S. citizens. As a participant, I was fortunate to receive a few internships myself, which helped me support my education.