Contribute to Diversity -- 2023
Contribute to Diversity
Inclusivity and diversity are core to supporting a community of people with an intersectional understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Share how your educational, familial, cultural, economic, social, and/or other individual life experiences will contribute to the diversity of perspectives and ideas at Georgetown University.. (500 words max)
I grew up in a gated community in Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela. Thanks to my father’s prominent role in the widget industry, I had access to the best educational resources and the security of the compound walls. However, just beyond the compound’s secure confines, it was a different world: an impoverished community of crowded, collapsing clay houses, whose residents were grappling with extreme socio-economic hardships. For me, this economic disparity was a call to action. I frequently spearheaded school-wide initiatives, rallying students to contribute essential resources like clothes and food for the surrounding communities, and volunteered at grassroots NGOs. These early-life experiences inspired me with a sense of responsibility and commitment to the well-being of others.
Transitioning from this sheltered existence to attending university in Barcelona, Spain was initially overwhelming; I felt like a small fish in a big pond. However, mingling with my multicultural classmates from Europe, South Asia and China, brought forth a rich mosaic of perspectives, challenging my preconceived notions, opening my eyes to a world beyond my own. Engaging in tough conversations around global politics and social equality panel discussions, was a conscious effort to bridge my small-town roots with the cosmopolitan fabric of a European university community. This exposure to diverse perspectives and lifestyles ingrained in me a profound respect for cultural and political differences, influencing my interactions and decision-making in personal and professional life.
My choice to reject a well-paid position at my father’s widget plant for a lower-paid role at a global IT company jumpstarted my professional and personal growth. I led enterprise digital transformation projects at telecommunications companies in Eastern Europe, China, and the US. Working with peers from various cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds not only expanded my technical expertise but also enhanced personal growth, reinforcing the values of diversity, inclusivity, and ethical leadership, beyond geographical borders and cultural nuances. For instance, in 2019 while leading a digital transformation project with Bulgaria Cellular, my team faced major language and cultural challenges. Acknowledging these difficulties, I organized cultural sensitivity training and team-building excursions to enhance team interaction and collaboration and led to a successful engagement.
At Georgetown, I will contribute to the diversity of perspectives by seeking a leadership role at the Georgetown Tech Club, mentoring students in building technical skills and sharing my experience in the real-world application of AI, while counselling them for successful careers in the tech industry. I envision organizing casual Lunch and Learn sessions, and panel sessions in collaboration with alumni, such as last year’s Tech Club Panel Session on IT industry trends and insights. I will contribute my multicultural perspective to McDonough’s international community through the Latin American Business Association. Leveraging my experience in fostering inclusivity, I will collaborate with identity clubs like Out@MSB to organize impactful discussions, such as panels featuring queer/gender-fluid students from South American cultures, where gender equity is often still a work-in-progress. Guided by my commitment to social equity, I will seek out and support diverse voices to enrich inclusivity at Georgetown.