Echoes of Resilience

Navigating the future of work through generational wisdom and mentorship.

I am sure you have heard the adage that every generation hopes the next generation will do better than they did. As we grow wiser, we more fully understand the ups and downs of life and wish to share wisdom with the younger generation. We hope our actions and insight will help uplift and improve our family in the future.

As I reflect on the ever-changing landscape and future of work, I understand that we need to move into this new era with a spirit of resilience. We need to embrace the changes to be successful. This may mean learning new technologies or finding success in a work environment that may be virtual or hybrid versus the in-person setting we knew in the past.

It is the resiliency needed for this new world that led me to think of a key role model in my life. We all need to find role models, people who push us to places we would never think to go. Role models see things in us we are unable to see for ourselves.

The Impact of a Key Role Model
My first major role model was my grandmother, Esperanza Moreno, who grew up in Tyler, Texas, working in the country fields. She only had a third grade education but made her way through the world with confidence, never letting you know she lacked an education. I saw my grandmother bargain with shop owners and always prevail with the best deals. Despite circumstances in her life surrounded by lack of money, she created her own stability by working multiple jobs and saving wherever possible.

As I was growing up, I was never in discussions on professions and future roles. My family was just trying to make it week to week, and were hardly able to lift up their heads to plan for the future when groceries, utilities and other bills hovered in question. My family was supportive where possible but overwhelmed with life. My parents lived with a pattern of fear that ran week after week, trying to survive paycheck after paycheck.

During these times, it was my grandmother who raised questions with me about what I wanted to be in life. What do you want your future to look like? It was also my grandmother who instilled the confidence in me to think of my future and overall plans. Through her, I learned there were other paths to take in life, and she ultimately led me to break the cycle of paycheck-to-paycheck poverty and low education.

One of my fondest memories is when my grandmother took me to a nonprofit organization in San Antonio that helped potential students understand how to apply for college and receive financial aid. I remember walking in to see friendly faces eager to help.

I walked away with many important pieces of paper that started my educational journey. My grandmother gave me the hope that there was a better opportunity for me and not to give up. I always saw it fitting that her name was Esperanza, which translates to “hope.” She always gave me hope that everything would work out, and I knew she was cheering me on in everything I did, so I worked extra hard just for her. When someone believes in you it can be contagious, as you may then start to believe in yourself. The key is to surround yourself with those who are a positive influence and believe in you. When you embrace that confidence, then you will see many doors of opportunity open. I also found that goal setting and maintaining a good, positive and supportive network for feedback and advice is important in all stages of your career.

Embracing the Future, Mentorship and Giving Back
As I fast-forward to my multiple degrees (B.A., M.B.A. and J.D.) and nearly 20 years on Wall Street, I think about my humble beginnings as a first-generation college student and the rocky path that was only bearable due to strong mentors and sponsors whom I met throughout my school and work career.

This all started with the seed of hope that my grandmother Esperanza planted and that was watered along the way by many others. This path continues amidst many changes in our workplace requiring new insights and an openness to new ideas to achieve a successful work environment.

As president of the Financial Women’s Association (FWA), I have been able to network with many people in different areas in financial services who have shared new ideas.

Through the FWA we were able to review courses in AI security and learn of new technology trends. I have also been able to make a difference in the lives of others as a mentor and have spoken to high school and college students, sharing my upbringing and letting them know what is possible in their lives. This experience has been very fulfilling.

As we embrace the future of work and this changing landscape in employment for our students, I have found that we can speak to students and give them honest insight into our career experience and advice on how to embrace this new world successfully. Giving these students the attention and speaking honestly about our education and career paths provides them with insights they may not have access to in their family.

The ability to work with students has always driven me as I believe in the principle of giving back. As I think back to the many people assisted me —from my family, school and career — I am thankful. I also understand that there are many students who need that encouragement and guidance. If you are looking to give back, being a mentor is a wonderful experience. Mentors are greatly needed and we have so many students who are also facing hurdles as first-generation college students who need guidance they may not be able to obtain from their families.

The art of mentorship requires honesty on your career journey and creating a dialogue that allows great question and answer opportunities with your mentee. You can also be a connector where needed to guide your mentee to others who can share their experiences or provide information on a career path. This relationship can spark opportunities for mentees as they move forward to find their career path in life. It is always a wonderful experience to see a past mentee moving into great careers, and I am most proud when I see them serving as a mentor themselves.

I appreciate the fact that even though I was the first in my family to attend college, I was not the last, as both of my sisters, Elizabeth and Katherine, graduated from college. It led me to realize that we can all make a difference starting in our own families.

As I think back on my grandmother Esperanza, I know she would be proud of me knowing that I have moved forward in my career. She would also be proud that I never forgot my roots and speak excellent Spanish and that I truly enjoy helping others.

As we think of the future of work and what it requires, we understand that it will need effort from us to learn something new. This is the age of curiosity and we need to bring the questions to the table as we learn how to be more efficient and effective in this new world. I recall in previous roles changing a process that was manual to automated and seeing fear in people’s eyes as they were not comfortable with the unknown. I helped them embrace the change and learn new skills in the process. The future of work needs a can-do attitude that will lead us to a successful transition.

In conclusion, the future of work reminds me that I am continuing the learning process that will allow me to progress in my career. All of this is from the promise for me that only happened through the hope and confidence provided to me by my grandmother Esperanza, and for that I am thankful. May we all have an Esperanza in our lives who inspires us to find our purpose and meaning in this world. May we then pass that hope by guiding others in their own journey and make a difference that will be remembered and shared.

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This article originally appeared in the Spring 2024 issue of In the Lead magazine, from Stillman School of Business’s Department of Management and the Buccino Leadership Institute. The bi-annual magazine focuses on leadership perspectives from the field of health care, with content that is curated from leaders across the industry who share lessons learned from real-world experiences.

Categories: Business, Science and Technology