The Endless Search for Knowledge
By Emily Hernandez
B.A. Finance Major
University of Alabama
“A strong woman looks a
challenge dead in the eye
and gives it a wink.” This
couldn’t be true as I look back at my
college experience. As a rising junior at the
College Beat
University of Alabama, I have faced a variety of
difficulties and have overcome more obstacles
than I thought possible. However, without these
challenges and the opportunities, I wouldn’t have
grown into the person I am today.
At first glance, I pictured college simply as a
stepping-stone. More specifically, a tool to help
me pursue my future career in finance. I started by
joining organizations, participating in events that
could improve my networking skills, and overall
enjoyed everything else that came along with it. I
thought I was invincible. At least until I started to
take honor classes. They were much more difficult
than I anticipated, and I quickly became worried
that I might fail before I had the chance to
succeed. Being a student in the Culverhouse
College of Business, reminded me that it was my
job to remain poise no matter how difficult classes
and leadership positions may be.
Instead of being anxious and timid, I decided
to focus my energy on the powerful Latina that I
am. I decided to join the American
Association of University Women and Professional
Women in Communication and Business. They
both help members, like myself, to have a drive
towards business etiquette and political
awareness. I even pursued Data Analytics to
further educate myself on unfamiliar topics. These
three organizations taught me how to get out of
my comfort zone and push myself to learn and
lead within unfamiliar areas. This is what lead me
to attend the Emerging Leaders Institute in
Indiana. While I was there, I did not know a single
soul, and the thought of me leading a group was
daunting at first. As the week went on, I made
friends with other girls and realized that we are
people wanting to improve ourselves.
As my college career perused, I noticed that
we are all not walking resumes. We are people.
College has taught me to balance myself; to do
what I love while still striving to learn new things.
That is when I decided to merge my education
with the rest of my passions. I became the Assistant
Director of Finance at my sorority. This allowed
me to maintain my educational integrity while not
sacrificing my social life. I managed financial
accounts for over 400 members, all of whom I
had a connection with to make my job more
personable and easier regarding communicational
aspects.
All in all, my college experience has taught
me a valuable lesson about having a balanced life.
I am still learning, and I plan on continuing to
search for more answers with each passing year.
Life is an endless search for knowledge, and
thanks to the University of Alabama, I feel like I
have learned so much more about myself and
others. LS
Emily with a friend. October 7, 2019.
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Emily Hernandez. October 13, 2018.
44 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle V ol. 26, No. 5, 2020
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