Thank You For Being Such A Vital Part Of Our Team, Cristina Taylor. We Look Forward To Sharing More About You So Others Can Get To Know You Better!
What or who inspired you to pursue your major/career?
My father inspired me to pursue my major in Anthropology. My Mexican culture has influenced the way I look at the world and learning about other people’s cultures made me realize how important and complex our society is.
What is one thing you are most proud of achieving in your life?
I was able to graduate college in 3 years with a major in Anthropology and a minor in Religion.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
My parents were my number one support system. If I was having a bad day or a good day I would always call them. They would just listen to me vent about my day and that was the support I needed. When I decided to go to therapy, get my dog, changing my major, they supported me regardless of their opinions.
Is there something exciting you are working on now? What is it and why did you choose to start it?
I started doing branding identity in graphic design and it has been really fun. It is something I saw online and was really interested in. I decided this is something that I can continue to perfect and add to my resume. I’ve been able to make such great connections already through different Instagram accounts and it’s been one of the greatest challenges and decisions I have made.
Share one professional development goal and one personal goal you have for the upcoming year.
A major goal I have is to really focus on my graphic design career and see where it takes me. I want my art to be the main focus of my career. I love working on creating something new and challenging myself every day.
Why did you choose to be an intern for Educate. Radiate. Elevate.?
The mission for E.R.E. is so important to me. E.R.E. is making sure students are heard and getting the support they need academically. The school system makes it really hard for some students to make it through and E.R.E. makes it possible for those students to keep pushing. I wanted to be a part of that change.
What about the Educate. Radiate. Elevate.’s Purpose, Mission, and Core Values speaks most to you and why?
The vision of making sure our youth have a successful future all around them is beautiful. Younger people are always treated as though they have no place to voice their opinions. However, E.R.E. does the opposite. They make young people the main focus.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Art is one of my favorite hobbies. I continue to teach myself so many different things. I started drawing when I was younger and then I moved to painting. After painting, I started digital art and even taught myself to crochet left-handed!
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? What is it and why did it resonate with you?
Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky, was the book that will forever hold my heart. Everything about it made me feel seen and understood. The first time I read it was 10 years ago, and, to this day, I will still cry and still feel understood. Now, it reminds me of my childhood, how far I’ve come, yet how I have barely changed. It gives me peace.
Please share your favorite Life Lesson quote. How is it relevant to your life?
“Nothing I accept about myself can be used against me to diminish me.” It really is all about self-love. I have had such a hard time loving certain things about myself, but as I grow older I realize that I have a long way to go with myself. I need to start learning to at least accept who I am.
