Ana Hernandez is a graduate of Making Waves Academy who currently attends Diablo Valley College. Ana is majoring in Allied Health.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Is there anything in particular that motivates you as you go through college and prepare yourself for a career?

A: My family is a big motivation in my life as I go through college and prepare myself for a career. They remind me every day of how important it is that I value my education because it’s a privilege that not many have been able to pursue. I am a first-generation college student so I know that I’m not just doing this for myself but for them. Their support and encouragement push me to dedicate everything I have to being successful.

Q: When did you first realize that you were college-bound?

A: I’ve always known I would go to college. It was always a part of my vision whenever I thought of my future because I viewed it as a bridge connecting me to the various interests I considered pursuing as a professional career. Though, I’d say it really hit me that I was a college student when I failed my first exam because it made me reconsider the way I’ve been doing things. It was a turning point for me since I had to take a new approach and find a way to immerse myself in the material in order to ace the rest of my exams. From then on, I realized that I would have to do this a few times in different aspects of my life now that I’m in college which has allowed me to grow a lot.

Q: How has Richmond Promise played a role in your education?

A: Richmond Promise has played a significant role in my education. I come from a low-income household so the financial help that Richmond Promise offers through their scholarship has provided a lot of relief. It has allowed me to focus entirely on my education without worrying about the expenses of tuition or textbooks adding up. I’ve also been able to connect with other RP Scholars that I’ve encountered on my campus pursuing careers in healthcare. If not for Richmond Promise, I may not have even interacted with them.

Q: Why did you choose to apply for RP Leads, and what are you hoping to take from the experience?

A: I chose to apply for RP Leads because I felt it was time that I started taking initiative in preparing for the next phase of my life. Once I graduate college I will enter the workforce so I believe that the RP Leads program will help me build and strengthen the skills necessary to be successful. I am hoping to gain professional experience from the program through internships in the healthcare field. It is a competitive field and I plan to pursue a career as a nuclear medicine technologist so the exposure and networking opportunities I can get from the RP Leads program are a great help.

Q: What do you want to contribute to Richmond and/or the world?

A: I want to contribute to helping the Latino community in Richmond feel seen and heard in healthcare. Though the system does already take into account and work towards bridging the gap in communication through interpreters, it does not always help patients feel comfortable during some of their most vulnerable moments. I hope to provide quality care to Latino/Spanish speaking patients in nuclear medicine to ensure they are able to communicate with me directly and feel reassured. It is important to me to give back to my community and my way of doing so is by making sure that they are not overlooked in healthcare.

Q: How has your current college experience gone, and what has been the best part?

A: My current college experience has gone very well. I have had so much support from so many people so I’ve rarely felt like I was going in blind. As a first-generation college student it means so much to me to have this support and guidance. The best part has been proving to myself that I am capable of accomplishing my goals. Whenever I look at my transcript after a difficult course or I pass a lengthy exam I can see my progress so I know that my hard work is paying off. I’ve also greatly enjoyed forming connections with peers who are pursuing similar paths because it reminds me that I’m not alone and it creates an opportunity to share my journey with someone who understands.

Q: What challenges have you overcome to get to where you are today?

A: The challenge that I’ve had to overcome to get to where I am today is my introversion and lack of initiative. I was very withdrawn in high school and kept only a small circle of close friends. This hindered me a lot because I wasn’t allowing myself to realize my potential. It took a lot of courage for me to slowly start taking on leadership positions in sports, participating in volunteer opportunities, and applying to programs that required frequent interaction with others. It started off small but as I did more my experiences built upon one another, pushing me to put myself out there and to step out of my comfort zone. I have become more confident in myself and my capability which has led me to where I am today, making progress towards my personal goals and the change I hope to accomplish in my community.

Q: What advice would you give to a first-year Richmond Promise Scholar who is just heading off to a new college or CTE program?

A: My advice to Richmond Promise Scholars would be to form connections with others. It is pretty easy to convince yourself that you’re doing things alone, especially when you’re a first-gen student, so finding people who are navigating college alongside you is a big help. More than once, the friends I’ve made in my classes have helped me better understand the material we’re learning or put me on to resources I wasn’t even aware of. I would also recommend taking advantage of all the support available to you whether it’s being offered by your college or Richmond Promise because it is there to help you succeed. The majority of my college journey so far has been made easy because I am utilizing the support offered to me such as meetings with mentors, covering school expenses with my scholarships, registration support from college programs, etc.

Q: What are you looking forward to doing after finishing school?

A: After finishing school, I look forward to working as a nuclear medicine technologist. I am really excited about being independent and building my own life doing something that combines my interests in science with patient care. The feeling of accomplishment that will bring me is a big motivation. I’m also looking forward to seeing my growth as a person when my schooling is completed since I’ve already changed a lot just being in college for a year.