By the Way: A Balancing Act

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: I grew up in the Bay Area and have pretty much lived here my whole life. I went to Ponderosa Elementary, Peterson Middle School, and then Wilcox High School for a couple years, but then I decided to do Middle College for 2 years and that was super awesome.

Q: What made you decide to become a counselor?

A: I went to Menlo College for my undergrad and it was an experience for sure. I grew up pretty middle class and a lot of people at Menlo were super fancy. Whereas I was taking the bus and train to get to school, everybody had a Mercedes and a Lexus and it was a real culture shock for me. [...] My brother also had a really good counselor in high school and I saw how that person influenced him and brought out the good in him. [...] My friend said that San Diego was great so I applied to SDSU without really researching the school and I got in, so here we are. [...] I literally was like I’m pretty good at helping people so then I got a degree in psychology. [...] I lived in San Diego for two years and I decided to come back home and it was really hard to get a job. When I came back, I worked three part-time jobs, one of which was SBS coordinator at Monta Vista, then eventually a position in attendance opened up. I also subbed as a guidance secretary for Mrs. Mueller for a bit and a temporary position as a counselor opened up. While I’m working these random jobs, I was credentialed to be a counselor but it was hard getting those opportunities. I hustled really hard and then eventually I worked my way up to be a counselor at MV. Hard work pays off.

Q: Do you think your previous jobs have helped you as a counselor?

A: I feel like I know a lot about how the school works. I'm very comfortable with a variety of roles and so when it comes to helping people, I’m very quick to jump in and do what needs to be done [...] I also think that hard work and dedication and sticking to the goal has been really helpful for me because I can use myself as an example. While students and families might not be in a place they want immediately, if you stick to your goals you can get there.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about your job?

A: You get to see people over the course of 4 years. As freshmen, you’re just very different from when you’re juniors and seniors. I also work really closely with families so I’m very privileged that people let me into their lives and tell me things that are wonderful but sometimes also very difficult. I get to help people and it’s a wonderful thing.

Q: What are some challenges you’ve encountered as a counselor?

A: I have a lot of students and you know I’m only one person, and I liked to eat lunch and take breaks so obviously I can’t get to everything all the time super quickly. I know for some people that can be super frustrating especially when you have a question and need an answer. How do I be a normal person and be there for all the students I work with?

Q: What’s something you wish MV students heard/believed more?

A: It’s very cliche to say everything is gonna be alright, but most of the time it is. I think a lot of us are so focused on college at the end goal that maybe they don’t enjoy high school as much as they should. It really is 4 years to lay the foundation of who you are as a person. I don’t think that college is the end-all to life, you eventually get a job and have other goals. I think students could benefit from thinking about their life after school is over. Maybe you want to travel, maybe you want to own a dog. Life doesn’t work the way you expect it to be. High school is great, enjoy it, college will be great, enjoy it, but also do things outside of academics because you want to be happy after all of that is over and you’re not gonna be a student for the rest of your life. [...] What I’m trying to say is have a balance. Right now hopefully you do things that you enjoy, like in between classes you’re listening to music or drawing, and have hobbies that make you happy.

Q: Where’s your favorite place to travel?

A: Me and my friends used to pick a place, go for Labor Day, enjoy it, and then come back. I’ve been to Washington D.C. and Boston and I’ve also driven across the country, like a friend and I went from New York to California. There are so many things to see.

Q: On a more serious note, since MV is predominantly Asian American, we wanted to ask about your thoughts regarding what’s been happening this past year with the Black Lives Matter movement.

A: Of course, because I am black, my connection to Black Lives Matter and the movement as it stands is definitely going to be different than other people’s. At the end of the day, when it comes to racial equality and just standing up for black people, I agree with it wholeheartedly. As you see people on the news that are being brutalized by the police, it honestly could be me and it doesn’t matter how much education or how articulate I am, at the end of the day my skin shows something different to some people and it’s a very hard reality to live in. I try to be as positive about it and be the best person I can be. It’s definitely very difficult to see. [..] As a whole, I think people are starting to understand and it’s through action, through voting, through having a curriculum that allows you to see other perspectives and I hope other people at least hear it. I don’t think we all have to agree on everything, but it’s being able to put yourself in someone else’s perspective that’s important.