Summer of 2019

The moment I decided to move out to Ohio was bittersweet. For a young woman who was born and raised in California I wondered how much discrimination I would face in the Midwest. With the diversity of immigrants that has built LA, the Midwest scared me. But I focused on my goal, which was to complete my masters in structural engineering and be back home in LA ASAP. Plus, having received a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati (UC) was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. However, like most of us know - things don’t always go as planned.

Now almost four years later, I still live in a high rise apartment in Downtown Cincinnati, OH. Who knew I was going to be offered a job right after graduation and now my commute is a nice two block walk to work. The only down side for me is not having my beautiful California to hike, to paddle board, to experience, and of course - I don’t have my family.

Point being, I am not sure where life will take me next but I know I have made the right decisions for my current growth by taking the opportunities that will get me closer to my goals in life. Let fear of the unknown drive you not paralyze or stop you because if you let it, you’d never know what you are truly capable of accomplishing.