ES For Reality ChanGERS gRADUATE Daniela(‘18), education has always been more than a goal; it’s a mission grounded in family values and cultural resilience.
“Both my parents immigrated here from Mexico,” Daniela says, “My dad now has his own construction business. But he had only completed third grade by the time he started working to support his family. So when he came here, he was like, ‘I want my kids to have more education because I can’t imagine what a full trajectory of education can do.’
Daniela’s mom was an accountant in Mexico, but she wasn’t able to continue working in the same field in the United States. “It’s really unfortunate,” Daniela comments, “how when you immigrate to a different country, not a lot of that education is valued the same.” Because of this, Daniela’s mother also insisted that her daughter go to college and get a degree.
With the support of her parents, Daniela joined Reality Changers during her senior year at San Marcos High School. “I knew college would help me make a better life for myself,” she says, “I just didn’t understand what that meant or how to get there.”
Over the course of the program, Daniela’s confidence grew. From applying to colleges to understanding financial aid packages, the organization offered guidance and support. “It would have been really scary if I was doing it by myself,” she says. “When the acceptances eventually came out, I was like, ‘how do you weigh what option is best for you?’ It was really helpful to have an instructor. There’s nothing like talking to someone who’s been through the process.”
Ultimately, Daniela chose UC Riverside, where she studied sociology. She was drawn to the resources and support systems of a larger university. Her experience there also solidified her love of mentorship.
At first, Daniela served as a ‘college choice’ mentor – chatting virtually with Reality Changers seniors about UC Riverside. “I really liked doing that,” she says. “Mentorship was helpful to me when I was in high school and I really enjoy mentoring others. So I continued to do it after that.” Daniela next worked with students through UCR’s Collective Mentor program. And she still supports professional & personal growth for young adults, most recently with Ocean Discovery Institute and AmeriCorps.
Today, Daniela is the Communications & Marketing Manager at The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego, where she oversees and implements the digital communications strategy, manages the website, and acts as a PR liaison. She learned these skills through hands-on experience, supporting Marketing and Communications at various previous jobs; including a past internship at Reality Changers!
And now, her formal training and workplace learning are finally coming together. According to Daniela, “[at The Nonprofit Institute,] we communicate the impact of nonprofits. It’s important to make sure that we do ethical storytelling and consider all the factors of the impact that we have on the community. My sociological background really comes in and supports this work.”
In addition to her full-time job, Daniela has started working towards her Graphic Design certificate at San Diego Community College. “I find joy in creating,” she explains, “and I’m seeing the importance of communicating creatively. For example, at The Nonprofit Institute, we do a lot of data visualization with our reports. Design skills are so necessary for that. Having that foundational graphic design knowledge will be so helpful and make me feel more confident in my job.”
The certificate won’t only help her at her current job, however, it’s a stepping stone toward the future. An avid reader, her dream job is “graphic design for the publishing world.”
When Daniela reflects on her experience in Reality Changers, she hopes that others will have the same opportunity to participate in the program. “This phenomenon of being ‘first-generation’ isn’t going away,” she says. “There are a lot of barriers that still exist for communities, mine included. I would love to see a future where no one had to question if college was an option.”
At Reality Changers, we feel fortunate to have Daniela as an alum (and past intern!). We are proud to see her working in San Diego and using her college degree to make a difference in our community