By Dafreisy Veras
If there's one thing I've learned over the past few years, it's that trying to balance school, work, family, and personal goals is not easy. There are days when I feel like I have everything under control, and then there are days when I wonder how I'm going to get everything done.
But one thing about me is that I have always wanted more for myself and my future. Not necessarily in terms of material things, but in terms of opportunities, growth, and being able to accomplish the goals I set for myself.
I'm currently pursuing my bachelor's degree in Business Management at Southern New Hampshire University while working in healthcare and building my career in real estate. Sometimes, when I think about everything I'm doing, I realize how much I've taken on. But I also remind myself that each of these things has a purpose.
Going Back to School and Staying Committed
My college journey started at Northern Essex Community College, and I later continued my education at Southern New Hampshire University.
Going to college while working has definitely tested my time management skills. There have been plenty of nights when I've come home tired from work and still had assignments, discussions, or projects waiting for me.
And I won't pretend that I'm always motivated, because I'm not.
Some days, I just want to relax and not think about another deadline. But I know that finishing my degree is something I've worked hard for, and I don't want to give up on it.
One of the things I'm proud of is earning recognition on the Dean's List and President's List. Those accomplishments mean a lot to me because I know what it took to earn them while balancing everything else.
I'm not just going to school to earn a degree. I'm doing it because I want to understand business better, become a stronger leader, and eventually apply what I've learned to businesses of my own.
What Working in Healthcare Has Taught Me
I've spent several years working in healthcare, starting in administrative and patient-support positions and eventually moving into leadership.
Today, I work as a Clinical Operations Supervisor at Vitra Health, where I help oversee daily operations and support a team of more than 30 employees.
If there's something healthcare has taught me, it's patience.
Working with different people, personalities, and situations every day has helped me understand how important communication really is. Not everything goes according to plan, and sometimes you have to make decisions quickly or figure out solutions to problems you weren't expecting.
I've also learned that being in a leadership position doesn't mean you know everything. There are still things I'm learning every day, and I think being willing to listen, ask questions, and improve is part of becoming a better leader.
Looking back, I can see how much I've grown professionally, and I'm grateful for the experiences that helped me get here.
Why I Decided to Pursue Real Estate
Even though I've built a career in healthcare, I've always been interested in business and finding ways to create something of my own.
That's one of the reasons I decided to pursue my real estate license in Massachusetts.
In 2026, I became a licensed real estate professional and joined The Henry Advisers.
Real estate is a completely different experience from healthcare, but I've realized that many of the skills I've developed throughout my career still apply.
Communication, organization, patience, and understanding people's needs are important in both industries.
One of the things I enjoy about real estate is knowing that I can help someone through an important decision in their life. Buying a home is a big step, and I want to be someone my clients can feel comfortable asking questions and turning to for guidance.
Being bilingual in English and Spanish also gives me the opportunity to connect with more people, especially those who may feel more comfortable discussing important decisions in their first language.
I'm still at the beginning of my real estate journey, and I know I have a lot to learn. But that's also what makes it exciting.
Trying to Find Balance
I think one of the biggest challenges of having multiple goals is figuring out how to give everything the attention it deserves.
Between working, attending college, pursuing real estate, and spending time with my family, my schedule can get pretty full.
I've learned that I can't do everything at once, no matter how much I want to.
Some days, school has to come first. Other days, work needs more attention. And sometimes, I need to put everything aside and focus on my personal life.
I'm still working on finding that balance.
Something I've had to remind myself is that being productive doesn't mean I have to be busy every second of the day. Rest is important too, even though it can be difficult to slow down when I have so many things I want to accomplish.
I've also learned to stop comparing my progress to other people's.
It's easy to look at someone else's accomplishments and feel like you should be further ahead. But the truth is that we all have different responsibilities, opportunities, and timelines.
I'm learning to appreciate my own progress instead of constantly focusing on how much more I still have to do.
My Interest in Entrepreneurship
One of my biggest goals is to eventually own and manage multiple businesses.
I have a strong interest in real estate, financial services, taxation, and business management. I enjoy learning about different industries and understanding how businesses operate.
I know that wanting to own a business and actually running one are two very different things.
There's a lot that goes into it, including planning, managing finances, working with people, and being willing to take risks.
That's why I'm trying to take advantage of opportunities to learn as much as I can now.
Whether it's through college courses, professional training, or hands-on experience, I see each opportunity as something that can help prepare me for the future.
I don't expect everything to happen overnight, and I know I'll probably make mistakes along the way. But I'd rather try, learn, and improve than spend years wondering what could have happened if I had started.
What I Would Tell Someone in a Similar Position
If you're a student who is also working, raising a family, or trying to build a career, I understand how overwhelming it can feel sometimes.
My biggest advice would be to take things one step at a time.
You don't have to have your entire future figured out right now. It's okay to have different interests, change your plans, or take longer than you originally expected to reach a goal.
I also think it's important to give yourself credit for what you've already accomplished.
Sometimes we're so focused on the next goal that we forget to appreciate everything we've done to get where we are.
And don't be afraid to start something new just because you don't have all the answers yet.
There will always be something else to learn, and sometimes the only way to gain experience is to actually get started.
Looking Forward
When I think about where I want to be in the next few years, I have a lot of goals.
I want to finish my bachelor's degree, continue growing professionally, build my real estate career, and eventually turn some of my business ideas into reality.
I know there will be challenges, changes in plans, and moments when things don't work out the way I expected.
But when I look back at where I started and everything I've accomplished so far, I'm proud of my progress.
I'm still learning, still growing, and still figuring out what works best for me.
And I think that's an important part of the journey.
I may not be exactly where I want to be yet, but I'm working toward it. And for now, that's something I'm proud of.
