Interview is edited for length and clarity.
What inspired you to major in Spanish?
After taking AP Spanish in high school, I knew I wanted language to be a part of my career; I just didn’t know how to incorporate it. At the time, Simmons offered a major where you could study Spanish with a focus on literature. I knew that was a point of interest for me.
Simmons’ other liberal arts programs offered me multiple avenues to explore other disciplines through electives. It allowed me to see how my passion for Spanish could be paired well with other fields and translate into a host of career opportunities.
What impact did Simmons have on your journey through higher education?
Attending a women-centered institution helped me focus on key factors I use every day in my career. These include inclusivity and awareness of the different challenges faced by minority groups and any group that may face barriers to accessing institutions like higher education.
I had many positive experiences in classes where I could see the intersectionality of all students, including women of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and any other group within the institution. Seeing how important it was to create an uplifting culture and an environment that exposes students to new ideas prepared me for life after college.
How did your participation in extracurricular activities grow your sense of community?
I was active in campus organizations. While I was attending Simmons, COVID-19 was at its worst, and I wanted to stay connected while everyone had to stay apart. I was a reviewer for Sidelines magazine, a member of Her Campus, and helped found the Transfer Student Organization since I came to Simmons in my sophomore year.
I found Sidelines to be a unique group because of my role as a reviewer. I was able to see all of the work, which was submitted anonymously. It was a great chance to see what members of the community were working on in their free time. Being able to see it without the risk of judgment and bias was refreshing. Since those clubs were able to continue working on projects, I was able to channel my passions constructively. Ultimately, it helped me feel less isolated while I lived off campus and completed classes remotely.
How did Simmons support you as you prepared for graduation?
I graduated at a highly unusual time. However, Simmons was a positive presence through COVID-19 and still gave us the resources we couldn’t gather in person. I was lucky enough to work with America Learns, which is an organization that goes to local schools and provides tutoring in reading and math to elementary students.
From that experience, I gained a solid understanding of the needs of the community, especially in the field of education, during a time of great stress. My mentoring with America Learns truly opened me up to developing clear communication with students, peers, and possible employers.
What advice would you give to a student interested in studying Spanish?
If someone is interested in modern languages, like Spanish, definitely put your whole self into your coursework and take advantage of Simmons’ options for electives. Try out things that you think you might not be good at, like I did. I never expected to pick up coding as much as I have, and now I am looking forward to the future of AI in my work.
See how a passion for language skills in the humanities can pair with other disciplines through some of Simmons’ bigger programs like nursing, social work, or other topics in STEM. No matter how much technology develops and can support learning, it is critical to learn language skills because they will never go out of style, and they can present so many opportunities in careers.