Valeria Garzón Betancur

I attribute my success to clear goals, consistency, and the mindset of not letting fear control my decisions. Moving to the United States without speaking English pushed me to grow fast. I had to learn everything step by step, get comfortable being a beginner, and keep showing up even when I felt unsure. That experience built my resilience and discipline, and it taught me to stay calm under pressure, ask questions, and keep improving.

I also believe a big part of success is how you treat people. I genuinely care about others, and I try to be someone who brings solutions, supports the team, and builds trust wherever I go. But I also have to be honest: none of this would be possible without my family. Their unconditional support has been my foundation. They believed in me, encouraged me, and reminded me of my potential when things felt difficult. Knowing I wasn’t alone gave me strength, and it made me even more determined to build a life that makes them proud.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to leave a good mark everywhere you go. Titles and recognition are great, but what truly matters is your performance and your character. How you show up, how reliable you are, what you contribute, and especially how you treat people. I’ve learned that people may forget your title, but they don’t forget how you made them feel or whether they could count on you.

That advice has stayed with me because it keeps me grounded. It reminds me to take ownership, stay consistent, and lead with respect and empathy. At the end of the day, your reputation is built in the small moments, and that’s what opens doors in the long term.

I would tell young women entering administrative and support roles that confidence is one of the most valuable things they can build. Your job matters. As an assistant, you’re often the person keeping everything organized, protecting time, and making sure people can perform at their best. Don’t minimize that. Take pride in your work and own your role.

Be consistent and professional. Learn how to prioritize, communicate clearly, and stay calm when things change at the last minute. Ask questions without fear, because being willing to learn is what helps you grow faster. Also, protect confidentiality and build trust, because your reputation is everything in this field.

And finally, dream big. Don’t let fear of mistakes stop you. Doing things while you’re scared is courage, and courage is what creates growth. Build real connections, be kind, and remember that you belong in every room you step into.

Honestly, one of the biggest challenges is the pace. In administrative and support roles, especially in a busy office, everything can change in a minute. You can start your day with a plan, and then one urgent situation comes up and you have to adjust fast. That’s not always easy, because you’re juggling calendars, deadlines, and people who all need something at the same time. Another challenge is staying on top of details while also protecting confidentiality, which is a big responsibility.

But I also see a lot of opportunity right now. The assistant role is becoming more respected as a true partner to the team, not just someone “helping out.” There’s more space to lead through organization, communication, and problem-solving. And with technology, there are so many ways to create better systems, save time, and reduce stress for everyone. For me, that’s exciting, because I genuinely enjoy bringing structure, improving processes, and making things run smoother for the people I support.

For me, respect and empathy are the foundation of everything. I care a lot about how people feel around me, and I try to treat others with kindness and patience, even when things are stressful or busy. I’ve learned that you can be professional and still be warm, and that balance really matters to me.

I also value integrity and responsibility. I like to do what I say I’m going to do, follow through, and be someone others can trust. In both work and life, I want to show up consistently, do the right thing, and leave a good impression not just through my results but also through the way I treat people.