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JOURNAL

INTERESTS, OPPORTUNITIES, ETC.

  • What are my interests and what opportunities do I see to pursue those at Texas A&M?

    • Besides the academic pursuits I've mentioned on my home page and future goals page, I'm particularly interested in potentially joining Aggie Cinema and Album of the Week due to my vastly long-lived passions for both film and music. I am also looking forward to being involved in the Honors Student Council considering that I was part of my High School's Student Council Board not too long ago and I've really missed the camaraderie. I'm also extremely interested in participating in the Integrated Business Experience as part of the 11-month MS Business Program I plan to attend after my undergraduate degree. Beyond that, I am constantly adopting new interests and consistently looking for more opportunities to advance myself personally and academically during my time here at Texas A&M.

  • What are my long-term plans? How are these connected to my core values?

    • A s briefly mentioned on my home and future goals pages, I plan to complete my Bachelors in Economics with a Minor in Business, achieve my MS in Business, and finish with a law degree based in real estate. I also hope to get my real estate license and financial advising certification sometime during this period. With these degrees and certifications, I aim to establish my own mortgage company and/or law firm. Once I've achieved financial stability, I hope to go back to mentoring and share my knowledge with students who are looking into a career in either real estate, law, or consulting.​

  • What classes, lectures, organizations, communities, events or experiences such as study abroad, undergraduate research, service, or internships have been meaningful to me? How have these reinforced my goals, refined them, or changed them?

    • I would have to say my mentoring organizations have been the most impactful experience I've experienced so far. In the last 20 years, I have had an endless amount of successes, failures, and learning opportunities. Being able to share these lessons with younger individuals continues to be the gift that keeps on giving, seeing their faces of relief when they hear that they're not alone in their experiences is unmatched. I'm so grateful for the opportunities I've been given and I pay it forward by sharing my life experiences and advice with others.​

  • What knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) have I built to this point in my undergraduate career?

    • A s of late, I have been developing my organizational skills, research capabilities, study habits, and of course, my knowledge about economics and business practices. I've learned about the significance of a strong personal brand and resume through the Global Career Accelerator course I am currently taking. I also learned about the importance of financial understanding and planning through my AGLS 235 course. With each class, I've been able to understand and apply each of the concepts I've learned in my day-to-day life, for example, the basics of economics can apply to daily decision making, allowing me to weigh the benefits of each choice I make, no matter how seemingly insignificant.​

  • What papers or projects am I proud of and willing to show off?

    • Under my projects page, I have listed all of the papers, assignments, and projects that have tremendously aided in my academic and personal growth during my time as an undergraduate student. I am particularly proud of my work on the Personal Budget A ssignment for my Accounting 210 course. While completing the assignment, I felt more confident in my capabilities to properly create and stick to a budget, with the use of an Excel spreadsheet, following the completion of my undergraduate studies. The spreadsheet I created can be utilized for myself and others in the future, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to create such a useful tool. I am also excited to have created an HTML website for my ISTM 209 course. Prior to the project, I have always been fearful of coding and anything adjacent to creating something from scratch, but after the website's completion, I am no longer afraid to tackle a project that may require coding or website building. I look forward to continuing to grow my academic and personal capabilities during my final year at Texas A&M.​

  • What kinds of recognition have I received for my accomplishments? 

    • In 2022, I was considered a scholar by College Board for the National Hispanic Recognition Program for my accomplishments on the PSAT. A s a result, I was additionally awarded a scholarship from Texas A&M University for being a part of this National Recognition Program. I have also received the honor of being recognized on the Dean's Honor Roll and list of Distinguished Students. More details about my scholarship and awards can be found under my about me page.

  • What kinds of leadership roles have I taken on?

    • A s detailed in my leadership and involvement page, I am currently part of three mentor organizations, which each require me to assume a sense of responsibility and leadership as I become a role model to each of my students. I am also involved in Texas A&M's National Scholar Ambassadors (TANSA), which is responsible for the recruitment of National Scholars. Within TANSA, I was awarded the role of Marketing Executive, allowing me to creatively express myself through merchandise design, social media design, and website upkeep. I am beyond grateful for the opportunities I've been given and I continue to look for new leadership opportunities every day.​

REFLECTING ON EXPERIENCES

  • Do I think that I am being well-served by these experiences?

    • Personally, I believe that my experiences continue to allow for growth in some shape or form. Specifically, each time I apply to a new position or role, even if I do not get accepted, the process of interviewing and applying continues to serve as a basis for my next application. My involvement in my organizations continue to encourage personal growth, as well as stimulate my need for interpersonal interaction and communication. I take each class, assignment, and project as an opportunity to further my knowledge and plan to apply it at some point in my future, some as soon as that day! ​

  • How am I learning and growing as a result?

    • Being able to take every experience as an opportunity allows me to not shy away from intimidating roles. I've come to learn that rejection is part of life, and rejection alone cannot box me in from other potentialities. I am proud to say that I take any possible opportunities and do my best to try to meet the requirements, whether that is professionally or academically, and if I happen to fall short, then I continue to push forward and pursue my goals, keeping the feedback given back to me in mind.​

  • Am I meeting the TAMU Undergraduate Learning Outcomes?

    • According to the Texas A&M Catalog, I believe that I am successfully meeting A&M's Undergraduate Learning Outcomes. I often practice the material learned in each of my classes on a daily basis, for example, my current internship and summer class requires the use of Excel and other programs utilized in my courses. I also frequently reference previous assignments and projects to ensure proper application of the previously learned information.​

  • What has surprised me in my undergraduate education?

    • During my high school education, there was not a great emphasis put on the economics department, and oftentimes most of the information felt either rushed or not deeply explored. For this reason, although I was interested in economics, many of the basic concepts went over my head, so going into my undergraduate education, I was fearful that I would not be able to grasp some of the more complex concepts. However, I was delightfully surprised to see that not only was I able to successfully understand the basics of economics, but I have proven capable of understanding and applying the knowledge of more advanced economic concepts. â€‹

  • What has caused me to feel excitement or accomplishment?

    • I have noticed that I get excited about new opportunities to expand my leadership and volunteer experiences. Any opportunity to interview and accumulate more formal evaluation experience is one that I am more than grateful to partake in. I also feel accomplished when I am accepted into these leadership and volunteer roles, not only because the interview process went well enough to land me the position, but because I can review what went well during my interviews. â€‹

  • What has caused me to feel concern or disappointment?

    • When I see others my age doing well, on occasion, I find myself comparing my successes to theirs, concerned that I may be falling behind in opportunities and professional pursuits. However, I utilize this concern as motivation to allow me to not be discouraged and continue to apply to internships and jobs. 

  • How have I grown in my awareness of issues/questions/or problems in my intended field?

    • Through my studies in economics, I’ve developed a much deeper awareness of how economic principles influence the world around me, not just in theory, but in my everyday life. I’ve become more financially and economically conscious in my decision-making, from understanding inflation and opportunity costs to recognizing how economic trends impact individual households and businesses. I’ve also come to see how deeply economics is tied to politics and policy, shaping everything from legislation to global relations. At the same time, I’ve realized that economics isn’t always black and white; much of the field relies on applying theoretical models to real-world situations that are constantly evolving. Not every solution is universally proven, and often, multiple interpretations can coexist. This complexity has challenged me to think critically, stay open-minded, and recognize the nuance in economic problems, skills that are essential not only in this field but in approaching any issue with depth and clarity.
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CONNECTING EXPERIENCES

  • How do I see the various aspects of my education, both in and out of the classroom, coming together to help me achieve my goals?

    • ​My education at Texas A&M has been more than just a collection of courses, it’s been a well-rounded blend of academic challenge, hands-on experience, and personal growth. In the classroom, I’ve strengthened my analytical and financial literacy through economics and business coursework, while also building soft skills like communication and time management through group projects and presentations. Outside the classroom, my study abroad experience in Australia gave me a global perspective on leadership, economic systems, and adaptability in real-world settings. My involvement in the Honors Student Council and mentoring organizations has helped me develop confidence in leading others, sharing knowledge, and collaborating with students from different backgrounds. Together, these experiences have prepared me to pursue a career that blends economics, business, and leadership in a meaningful and community-oriented way.

  • What gaps in my knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) do I need to fill?

    • ​While I feel confident in many foundational areas, I recognize the need to sharpen my technical skills, particularly in areas like data analysis, statistical software, and advanced financial modeling. Public speaking is also a skill I hope to continue strengthening, especially in high-pressure, professional settings. I’ve learned that economics often deals with uncertainty and theoretical application, so the ability to confidently interpret and communicate complex ideas is key to closing those remaining gaps.

  • How is (or how will) my capstone project help me build confidence in my knowledge, skills, and abilities as I embark on a career?

    • ​My capstone project gives me the opportunity to combine two things I’ve always been passionate about, movies and economics, into one meaningful and academically rich experience. I plan to explore how economic policy intersects with the film industry, from production and labor dynamics to market behavior, subsidies, and the changing landscape of distribution. It’s exciting to dive into a topic I’ve grown up loving and see it through an analytical, economic lens. This project has already shown me how economics touches nearly every aspect of our lives, even ones we rarely think about, like movie theaters or streaming platforms. By researching such an entertaining and culturally influential subject, I’m not only building my research and critical thinking skills, but also reinforcing just how broadly applicable and impactful economics truly is. This process has helped me gain confidence in my ability to bridge personal interests with academic inquiry, which I know will serve me well in any career path I pursue.

  • How will I celebrate my successes?

    • ​I’ve learned that even the smallest victories deserve acknowledgment. I celebrate my successes by taking time to reflect, share my progress with the people who’ve supported me, and give myself space to feel proud before moving on to the next goal. Whether it’s earning a spot on the Dean’s Honor Roll, completing a project, or getting through a tough semester, I try to mark the moment, sometimes with a quiet break, sometimes with a dinner with friends, and always with gratitude. Long-term, I want to celebrate by mentoring others, just as I was mentored, and by helping students find their path and confidence too.

  • How will I respond to setbacks and disappointment?

    • ​Setbacks, while challenging, have taught me some of my most valuable lessons. Whether it’s a missed opportunity, a tough class, or simply falling short of my own expectations, I’ve learned to respond with reflection, resilience, and most importantly, grace. I remind myself that growth isn’t always linear, and that not every outcome defines my potential. Giving myself grace allows me to process disappointment without getting stuck in it, it helps me refocus, learn from the experience, and move forward with renewed perspective. During my study abroad trip, unexpected moments like travel delays and disrupted plans reminded me that flexibility, patience, and self-compassion are just as important as preparation. I try to treat setbacks not as signs of failure, but as necessary steps in the process of improvement.​

  • What are my next steps in pursuing my long-term goals?

    • ​Next, I plan to complete my undergraduate degree in Economics with a Business minor, followed by pursuing my MS in Business and eventually entering law school with a focus in real estate. In the meantime, I’ll continue gaining practical experience through internships, research opportunities, and leadership roles on campus. I also hope to obtain certifications in financial advising and real estate to broaden my professional qualifications. My long-term goal is to establish my own business, possibly in real estate or consulting, and give back through mentorship and community involvement. Every class, project, and opportunity I pursue now is a step toward that vision.
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