Antonia L. Martinez Gavarrete

My name is Antonia L. Martinez Gavarrete, an undergraduate student who wants nothing more than to finish up my Bachelor’s Degree. Here is a short recount about the influence that my Hispanic heritage has played on my career goals. Also, I will write about my short term and long term career goals. For understanding ones goals and tracing a track to get to it, has always been one of my greatest concerns.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to go to elementary school for many children around me could not. With the help of my parents who also went to school, I was able to finish my elementary schools and some of my high school years in this city. My last two years of High School, I studied it in the United States. Moving to the United States was a new challenge, I did not speak English therefore I was not accepted into regular high school. Instead I was advised to take the GED and so I did. The problem with that was that most of my classes were in Spanish and it limited me to learning English. However, this did not stop me, for I understood from the very beginning that learning English was a requirement of continuing a higher education so I took private classes to improve my understanding and so I was able to get into college.
Presently, I am working on my bachelor’s degree. I am Studying at the University of InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico. I am studying for Sociology on Criminal Justice, Photography, painting and graphic design. I chose sociology because I like to learn about different cultures, and the way each are affected by the surroundings and behaviors within it. I have always been passionate on observing such behavior and linking it to the different culture, always wondering what can be done to make societies better. I also chose photography because is another passion of mine and on the other hand it’s a requirement for my major on Criminal Justice.
My Short-term goal is to become better in and to achieve my bachelor’s degree. My long-term goal of getting my Master’s degree on layer depends on finishing it; therefore, I am very committed and strong in participating in every mean possible to achieve it.

During my primary education I stood out by participating in various types of activities such as: sports, cultural events, the environment, helping the community. I continue to participate in high school as a leader in the organization of various projects and clubs. I also had the opportunity to collaborate in social activities such as helping the sick and elderly.
When starting my high school education I had the opportunity to participate in different extracurricular activities such as a multicultural fashion show, art programs, and childcare programs. Also on many non- for profit foundations and among others of which I received certificates of participation, which I mention below: I received certificates for participating in the Child Foundation Sampedrana "Sheltering Children of Honduras." Here, we would bring food and toys for sick children throughout different hospitals, schools, and other childcare center. I received a certificate for participating in the 5th Annual Multicultural Fashion Show. I received diplomas for completing 480 hours of volunteering in Early Childhood Education. In all of this I received a perfect attendance diploma.
Another volunteering certificate that I received recently was from the American University of Puerto Rico in the Honors Program. I received this from participating in various activities such as giving gifts to the children of Haiti, marching against breast cancer and for being a child vigilant. I have found a warm family feeling doing this type activities, a feeling much needed for I am residing by myself in Puerto Rico away from my family.
Presently, I am a volunteer at Maria Luisa de Moreno International Foundation in which I offer my computer skills, photography and other activities. I teach a class on basic computers to the elderly. Furthermore, I am in charge of taking pictures at the social events they offer. I am in charge of editing the pictures and making blocks for the different events offered to the community. Another fact is that this foundation is multicultural; people from different countries come seeking for all sorts of help. And for this, I am always ready, to listen and help in any way possible.
Helping the community has always been a great pleasure and a bright learning pathway. In all these activities, I have learned many skills, and I am now more agile in some things that before were very difficult. I have also learned to have very good communication with the different cultures and people in which I come across and meet. All of these, summing up to the desire and continue of studying Sociology and Criminal Justice. I am currently doing my undergraduate studies at the University of Puerto Rico in San German, where I am doing my degree in sociology with a specialization in criminal justice and a minor in photography.
To conclude, volunteering has taught me a lot as a person and as a professional. I have learned; to be very communicative, punctual, an understandable and a reliable person. It is true that there are no financial rewards but it give me the satisfaction of reaching out to others.