How did you discover your passion for what you do, and what opportunities have helped shape your career?
As a college student, I was not exactly sure what I wanted to do long-term. I only knew that I wanted to work with people in my community and find something that was both interesting and challenging The opportunity presented as a federal probation officer was a unique one, in that I could directly impact individuals by working to help them make positive changes to their lives. I also appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with people from all over the country, while maintaining my South Texas roots and working specifically in my own community. I became passionate about working with people in the criminal justice system and seeing them be empowered in changing their lives in a completely positive and different way, despite their own adversity. I am proud to say I absolutely love my job. The opportunity to aide in the success of others gives me such a huge sense of fulfillment I cant imagine ever doing anything else.
Who has been an invaluable mentor for your professional career? What did you learn from them?
While I was in college, I met a professor who was working as a federal probation officer. I didn’t fully understand what that meant but I quickly learned that it gave people ways to be positively supported in their efforts to change their lives and be better people despite past mistakes. I realized that mistakes do not have to define who you are or who you strive to be. This professor taught me how to be a good listener. She was the expert at everything in the job and faced adversity early on in her career in an ultra conservative male dominated field. Her success paved the way for female staff to excel in the field, and now the field has more women than ever. Her guidance and support have been with me since the first class I took with her, and she has and continues to be my cheerleader and compass throughout every step of my career. I would not be where I am today without her.
How do you make sure you stay connected with your professional network?
I stay involved by making it a point to communicate and check in often personally with friends and family and professionally with coworkers. maintaining connections, even if it is just to say hello, goes a long way in this virtual world where we don’t see each other in person as often. Every check-in is a meaningful showing of support and invaluable to maintaining positive professional and personal relationships.
How have friendships helped you professionally? Is there a friend (or Delta Zeta sister) that has been behind you every step of the way on your career journey?
I am so blessed to be able to have had more than one person supporting me every step of the way professionally and personally. I have a very strong network of sisters (in all age groups) around the country that I can talk to at any time. I have mentors for every aspect of my Delta Zeta, professional and personal life. The support I have received from my Delta Zeta sisters has shaped me into a better person. I can’t imagine I would have come this far, in anything without the many sisters who have taken the time to push, support and encourage me or simply shown me what good leadership looks like through their roles as professional, empowering, servant leaders. I truly do not know what I would do without my girl gang, sister-friends and every member of this sisterhood who has ever taken time to help shape me.