I attended the orientation for my master’s program last week. I was sitting in an auditorium observing, and as I looked around at all the other students, I was overcome with emotion. I’ll admit my eyes became teary eyed, I was one of the few minorities in the room and I thought to myself, “I’m not supposed to be here”. Looking back, I remember my senior year of high school and the feeling of not knowing what was next or where I was headed in life. I recall my peers applying to different colleges and talking about their intended plans/majors. I didn’t even know where to begin this process or thought I had the resources necessary to attend college. I felt like a fish out of water. My parents, two undocumted immigrants from Mexico, wanted me to pursue an education. However, coming from a different country, they were not aware of how to navigate the educational system in the United States.
Currently, I am serving as a third-year Adviser while attending graduate school for school counseling. I have a deep appreciation for the College Advising Corps because I did not receive that professional backing prior to this position, I did not have that parent/relative or family friend to turn to that had already been through these processes. This position allowed me to grow into the professional I am today and has ultimately provided me with a foundation that I will continue to expand into the future.
Despite my parents’ background and my upbringing, I was able to overcome many barriers in the educational system. I saw the challenges associated with having parents from a different status and how difficult it can be to navigate the educational system in this country. I felt that each step along the way there were additional challenges that were presented to me because of my parents’ status. So when I think, “I’m not supposed to be here” it is not because I don’t think I deserve it or feel pity on myself. It is because I feel that many children from similar backgrounds are never given the resources and opportunities they deserve. I aim to show children from disenfranchised backgrounds that no matter where they start, where they grew up, or however many challenges they’ve faced that it is possible. That they can accomplish their goals and anything they put their minds to.
Looking into the future, hopefully, one day, I’ll become a school counselor, and students from similar backgrounds will see a familiar face when they come into my office. Hopefully they’ll feel that they can connect to me and place trust in me. Hopefully they’ll see that they can also do these things and hopefully I can inspire them to be great.
By Alex Rangel, Alexander Central High School adviser
Alex Rangel
