Thank You For Being Such A Vital Part Of Our Team, Emelyn. 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?
From an early age, I knew that I wanted to help people and create a positive impact on the lives of others. Opting for a degree in the healthcare field, I currently work as a sonographer at a hospital where I perform imaging exams that help physicians diagnose various conditions. While I love my profession, working with numerous patients has made me realize that I want to do more than just find illness. I want to help prevent it. I chose to pursue a master’s degree in public health to explore career options where I can work outside of a clinical setting and beyond individual patient care to improve the quality of life for others on a much larger scale.
What is one thing you are most proud of achieving in your life?
Pursuing a life outside of my little island in the Pacific is one of the things I am most proud of. It involved taking a huge step out of my comfort zone. I was seventeen when I left the island of Saipan to attend a university in New Jersey. I had to adapt to a different environment and overcome immense culture shock and homesickness. I’ve accomplished and learned so much since moving away from my home. I became a first-generation college graduate and am even just a couple of months shy of receiving my master’s degree.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
I would not be where I am today without my husband. While I was in New Jersey working on my bachelor’s degree, he was stationed in Kansas, then South Korea, and then Washington. Despite the distance, he supported me during my undergraduate years, not just financially, but emotionally as well. He got me through some of my toughest days. He was and still is my biggest cheerleader.
Is there something exciting you are working on now? What is it and why did you choose to start it?
I am excited to be starting this internship! I found this internship to fulfill course credit for my master’s program. Although I am looking forward to using this opportunity to apply what I’ve learned in a practical setting, I am also eager to improve my writing skills. I have not had much experience with grant writing before and I know I’ll have some challenges along the way. However, I know that grant writing could be a helpful skill to have, especially in the public health sector, a field I am currently working towards transitioning to.
Why did you choose to be an intern for Educate. Radiate. Elevate.?
A common phrase in a Filipino household is “mag aral ka nang mabuti” or “study hard”. The importance of education has been drilled into me since I was a little girl. I was from a low-income family and knew that escaping poverty meant I needed to be successful academically. I chose to be an intern for Educate. Radiate. Elevate. because I want to be part of an organization that gives students the tools to reach their fullest potential, regardless of their socioeconomic background, so that they are set up for success and more opportunities to improve their lives and break cycles of disadvantage.
What about the Educate. Radiate. Elevate.’s Purpose, Mission, and Core Values speak most to you and why?
E.R.E.’s core value of “Empathy” speaks the most to me. Empathy helps in understanding the needs, challenges, and perspectives of others. Whether in personal connections or work environments, empathy improves communication, fosters collaboration, and allows for more effective responses to the needs of others. It encourages compassion and understanding, creating more caring communities. It helps us to become the best advocates for the most vulnerable.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love spending my free time with my husband watching movies and basketball games together. We’re huge foodies so we enjoy going out to eat or cooking at home as well. When I’m alone, I spend a lot of time reading on the Kindle app or listening to true crime podcasts. I also enjoy being active and different forms of exercise such as running and lifting weights. Additionally, I live in the beautiful state of Washington, so I like to go on hikes and relish being outdoors.
Tell us about an amazing trip you took. Where did you go and what did you enjoy most?
The day after I completed my sonography program and received my bachelor’s degree, my husband and I made the long drive from New Jersey to Washington. We drove through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho. This was during the wintertime, and it took us three days. We didn’t explore any new places and we only made stops for gas, food, restroom breaks, and to sleep. I had the absolute time of my life. I had good company, good snacks, and good music. This trip also marked the end of having to live across the country from my husband (Five years was too long!).
The road to success is difficult and requires tremendous dedication. What advice would you give to a young person who aspires to follow in your footsteps and emulate your success?
I know it’s been said that the road to success can be lonely, but I don’t think it has to be. I believe it is necessary to surround yourself with people who inspire, motivate, and uplift you. They don’t necessarily have to have the same goals as you do, but they should be a positive presence in your life. Throughout my journey, I’ve kept a lot of my old friends and made some great new ones. I’ve also had amazing professors and mentors who have taught me so much. As someone more inclined towards introversion, stepping out of my comfort zone has always been a challenge. Yet, doing so not only helps create a support system but also establishes a network crucial for long-term development.
Please share your favorite Life Lesson quote. How is it relevant to your life?
I heard someone refer to our 20s as the “panic years” and I don’t think that description could be any more accurate. Sometimes it feels like I’m racing to figure out the rest of my life before I hit 30. I find myself constantly thinking, “What’s next?” or “Where do I go from here?”. A quote that comes to mind whenever these questions begin to plague me is from the 2018 film Christopher Robin (one of my absolute favorite movies). In the movie, Winnie the Pooh states the obvious, “I always get to where I’m going by walking away from where I’ve been.” This quote has stuck with me and has served as a reminder that every step I’ve taken to get to where I am today has involved having to choose a path of some sort of change, discomfort, and unfamiliarity. It has helped me realize that moving forward in life and growing as a person cannot take place without any action.
