Iris Guevara M.A. Ed

I attribute my success to never quitting and having a determined mindset. I'm a big believer in the quote that if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go further, go together. I truly believe you can achieve more when you are set for success within a team, within a program, within your family, and in your life. You always have to know who's with you. Having my support village has carried me through many hardships, ups, and downs. That's what has carried me through, knowing that I'm not alone and I'm not doing it alone.

The best career advice I've received is to do something that you love and ensure that you're aligned with what you're passionate about. My career progression is a perfect reflection of this because throughout my different roles and positions, I've always been geared towards education and children's services, which I'm passionate about. Children have always been my passion. Another important piece of advice is being comfortable with not knowing it all, being flexible, and open to learning and growing. I believe that's a skill that will get you to the next level. As flexible as you are, the more you will grow. And always being focused on problem-solving and innovating constantly, because the world is always changing, and you have to be open to be part of that innovation as well.

I would say just to keep going, even when it gets hard. Don't take things personally. Focus on your value and what you can deliver, your skill set, and where you are good at. Kind of hone in on that and really develop those strengths.

One of the biggest challenges I've faced has been dealing with poor management at times, where you see things falling through the cracks, and you wish you could do more. However, because you rely on higher management, you're somewhat limited in what you can do. Funding has also been a challenge in my current field, where grants and funding for carrying out programs have been cut short, and programs need to pivot and problem-solve to keep things running, not to mention having to overcome the uncertainty of job insecurity. Being a young female leader has been another challenge faced in my professional journey. Lastly, I would say that families and children face barriers in obtaining services needed due to either desert service areas lacking providers, eligibility requirements, or a lack of availability of services in multiple languages. As for opportunities, I want to thank all of my current and former leaders who have believed in me and allowed me an opportunity to grow, and my family, friends, and colleagues for their support. I am grateful for the providers who are willing to network and be part of the initiatives servicing families and children, especially those who accommodate their needs. I see myself as having the chance of growing into higher management within the same organization or other organizations that provide similar services. As an innate leader, I always think that there is more, so if I have the opportunity to own my own program or business, that's probably going to be the next step I'm considering. I feel that I am prepared for something bigger, and I'm just starting; therefore, I'm continuing my journey with the focus of progressing and accomplishing more every step of the way. In my current field, there are ongoing opportunities, especially when it comes to children and families in need of services and support advocacy. I look forward to networking with new providers that can target the gaps and streamline the service provision for the most vulnerable populations.

Setting healthy boundaries is definitely one of the most important values to me. I think that's very hard to do, but in both a work setting and personal life, having the proper boundaries in terms of knowing what your limits are, what your strengths are, and where you reach your pausing point is very important to prevent getting overworked or burned out in both personal and professional contexts. This is also when self-care becomes a key element in life. Another key value is balance, maintaining a balance in all aspects of life. You cannot do so much of one thing because on the other side, something will fall. Just keep balance so you can conquer more in a longer period of time. Faith has also been a very important pillar in my personal journey, as I have learned to let go and let God.