I know I announced to the Internet that I was enrolling into Tulsa Tech, but I think there may be other plans on the horizon. I had given up hope and was settling into my current position in life when TOMA (BAM) an ex coworker messaged me and told me to call him because his company may have an opening that was perfect for me. Perfect for me! I didn’t add that. He literally said, “perfect for you.”
Lo juro (I swear) everything sounded muffled after what he said. Recently, I have been trying my hardest to get a position with Cox Media Group, The Edge, and the Philbrook Museum of Art. I think I’m a suitable and competitive candidate for all of the position I have applied for, but I guess they don’t think I’m the best fit.
I’m okay with that, but it’s been a process to get used to rejection. In almost any other aspect in my life, rejection is nothing but a speed bump. In my work life, however, rejection is more of a brick wall I need to climb over. Like I said, es un proceso (it’s a process). So, to hear my old coworker say a job was perfect for me was like the high five I’ve been needing these past couple of days.
My plan had been to stay at my current job and enroll into Tulsa Tech to further improve my professional skills. Now, I think I’m going to keep my options open. I have until August to enroll in a course. Until then, I’m going to hope and pray the Philbrook or my friend’s company will contact me back with some good news. The way I see it, I would still be making a career move and instead of learning skills in a classroom, I’m going to learn them in an office. To be honest, I learn best by doing things myself instead of studying about them in theory. In this way, I’m easily trained. Just toss me in the arena like in “How to Train Your Dragon”.
“I believe in learning on the job.” – Gobber, “How to Train Your Dragon.”
Entonces (so), I’m welcoming the future with an open mind. No matter what comes next, I’m getting my mind to focus on opportunities of enrichment. I must thank my friend for reminding me that I’m a quick study.
While I was talking with my ex coworker on the phone, he listed off qualities he knew I had that would be great for the open position: hard working, quick learner, organized, bilingual, attentive to detail, capable of adapting and following through projects despite obstacles. I felt a warm and satisfied feeling growing inside my chest when he was talking. There’s a specific feeling that grows from within when someone notices your work ethic and believes it has merit. Orgullo (pride) maybe?
Too often we find ourselves in jobs where we feel underappreciated or nonexistent. I’ve had to catch myself before letting my tongue fly off. Specifically, I can remember when a superior of mine mockingly wondered how his office and schedule were so well kept when it was my job to do so. I wanted to huff and puff and tell him “What do you think I do here?!” It’s easy for superiors to make their subordinates feel like they can be easily replaced and that they’re jobs are menial. My friend was never my direct superior, but I didn’t think he noticed how much I enjoyed my job and did my best to make everything that came to my attention run smoothly.
While I’ve been looking for another job, I’ve put a lot of care in developing my resume. Knowing that the first impression is usually an application and a resume, I’ve crafted my resume to make me feel well represented. Sometimes, it’s enough. Sometimes, it’s good to be kept on file.
Recuerda (remember) to connect and network with your coworkers, no matter where you’re at. They can be the best references and are an extension of your resume. Better than hearing of a job and getting it is being offered an opportunity from the inside. Network with vendors, customers, and people you meet that are in your industry or your field. These individuals can stake their name out for you if they want. I’m incredibly grateful that my ex coworker recommended me and sought me out for this opportunity. Work with determination and conviction, and others will notice. Work with disregard and aloof, and others will notice that too. Sometimes, your work speaks louder than your resume. A veces tu trabajo dice mas que tu curriculum.
With mucho mucho amor,
Tulsa’s Tapatia
If you’re undecided about a career, pick up a trade or work your way up the ladder in your job. If you’re at a grocery store or a fast food chain, don’t let that stop you. Work your way up that ladder. Hustle baby, hustle! Con empeño / With determination. Don’t stay in the same position for more than 2.5 years. Every couple of months, I say 5 months, look back at what you’ve learned or are beginning to learn and jot it down on a sticky note or in your phone. Email it to yourself. Does anyone email anymore? Text it to yourself!
Sacudete, me dice mi mente / Dust yourself off, my mind tells me. My heart tells me to look at my blessings. I’m still gainfully employed, surrounded by people who encourage me with whatever I set my mind to. I couldn’t ask for anything more right now. Mi espíritu (my spirit) reminds me that it’s normal to trip when you try to run. I’m going to measure myself again and enjoy every step I take.
Before I decided to pursue my communications degree, I considered becoming a CPA. Both professions rely on the verifiable truthfulness of their records as proof of their honesty. According to the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics, 
It was an alien word to me. It hadn’t been used to identify me before, and I felt responding to it was completamente mal. The English word child made me feel like I wasn’t worthy to be Mexicana. I had a similar feeling to what non-Spanish speakers probably have when they’re standing in line at a grocery store, and a Hispanic family near them suddenly starts speaking in Spanish after speaking only English. I was uncomfortable, but I also felt insecure. Now I asked myself, who am I? Quien soy yo?
Thank God at the time my mom started watching La Familia P. Luche. Google describes the Mexican sitcom as the experiences of a ‘typical Mexican family’ featuring a husband who does nothing but obey his wife, a clever boy, a second adopted son, a strange girl, and an Argentine maid. The strange girl is named Bibi and her family, as well as the entire fictional city, have a habit of asking her “Ay Bibi, porque no eres una niña normal?” They always ask Bibi why she isn’t a normal girl whenever she does something that doesn’t coincide with the general norm. She dislikes it when people ask her mockingly why she’s different but towards the end of the show she starts to own her individuality.
Now when people ask me to choose to be either American or Mexican, I counter with a poco me quieres normal? (Oh really, you want me to be normal?). The reaction I get is priceless. I can tell they hadn’t even considered who I’d be if I wasn’t myself. So be yourself and accept all of your sazón! Goza! Enjoy your life! You don’t have to choose between being Mexican, American, or Mexican-American, if you don’t want to. Whether you’re a first, second, third or sixth generation Mexican-American enjoy your diverse culture! I think I was hiding underneath a rock when Bomba Estéreo came out with their single ‘Soy Yo.’ I heard it yesterday for the first time and I most definitely accept it as the brown girl anthem. Cheka esto, Sarai Gonzalez, the star of the music video, told NBC Latino that “the message of this video is just to be yourself and not care what anyone else thinks no matter what.” Entonces recuerda, you are enough – you are more than enough and se tu! Ahora, a bailar! 
Un Café. Better Make That Two. 