Ivonne Herńandez / El Salvador
I came to the United States at the age of 8 with my mother from El Salvador. Los Angeles was a very strange place different cultures, people of light skin, dark skin and brown skin. It wasn't easy to adjust to life in a different country learn a different language and make new friends. It was lonely.
But I persevered my mom and I moved from Los Angeles to Simi Valley when I was in 5th grade. Still learning English it was a predominately white city at the time. I had one friend who spoke Spanish at that time, however not having people to speak Spanish to helped me develop my English speaking skills. I competed elementary school middle school and night school in Simi Valley.
I wasn't always sure of what I wanted to do in life. I decided to attend community college and get a general degree during that time I discovered that I liked numbers. A school counselor talked to me about pursuing a degree in business administration. I transferred to CSUN and completed my bachelors and graduated with a degree in business administration. I was the first generation to graduate from college.
After college I took a job as a clinic administrator for a county affiliated clinic. I have had a successful career growing the clinic from 5 physicians/20 office staff to 22 physicians/80 office staff.
I'm also the proud mother of 3 children.
I appreciate the opportunities that this great nation provided to me as an immigrant and I truly believe that the American Dream is available for anyone who is willing to work hard for it.
But I persevered my mom and I moved from Los Angeles to Simi Valley when I was in 5th grade. Still learning English it was a predominately white city at the time. I had one friend who spoke Spanish at that time, however not having people to speak Spanish to helped me develop my English speaking skills. I competed elementary school middle school and night school in Simi Valley.
I wasn't always sure of what I wanted to do in life. I decided to attend community college and get a general degree during that time I discovered that I liked numbers. A school counselor talked to me about pursuing a degree in business administration. I transferred to CSUN and completed my bachelors and graduated with a degree in business administration. I was the first generation to graduate from college.
After college I took a job as a clinic administrator for a county affiliated clinic. I have had a successful career growing the clinic from 5 physicians/20 office staff to 22 physicians/80 office staff.
I'm also the proud mother of 3 children.
I appreciate the opportunities that this great nation provided to me as an immigrant and I truly believe that the American Dream is available for anyone who is willing to work hard for it.