Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Fernandez.
Hi Erika, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was starting third grade when I immigrated to the United States from Mexico. I was excited to come and learn English, make new friends, and live out the American Dream that was often seen on my television.
I was enrolled in ESL classes until I reached my freshman year of high school. Truth be told, I was nervous and scared of making the transition to an English-speaking class.
Nervous and scared that I would be picked on for what I considered to be an inadequate grasp of the English language. Turns out, I did better than I expected and regretted not making the change sooner.
As I completed my high school years, I didn’t really consider college. I figured I would get my diploma and marry my high school sweetheart then start our lives together. It was my mother that convinced me to give college a try. Luckily, I listened to her and ended up enjoying college and learning so much. While attending classes and at the ripe age of 20, I secured a loan from my mother-in-law and started my own business for a children’s show.
Parents would hire me to be the MC and entertainment for their children’s birthday parties. I would work on the weekends and go to different party halls or to customers’ homes and conduct my show. I continued my business throughout my college years. This is what made me get out of my shell and get rid of my fear of speaking in front of others since I had to dance, tell jokes, and play games with the children and their parents.
Although I have always been an extroverted person around my friends and family, I would get shy speaking in front of others or in big groups. I would imagine people who know me now would find that hard to believe. I graduated from college in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Correctional Administration. I chose this path because I was able to learn about the criminal justice field through my high school magnet program and I found it fascinating.
For a time, I considered going to law school because everyone around me encouraged me to do so and would tell me that I was good at making arguments and have a strong sense of fairness. I was feeling what I assume many college students feel at some point in their undergrad, uncertainty. I was starting to consider switching to business since I had the experience with my own personal small business, but I decided to stick it through since I was so close to finishing my program.
After graduation, I decided to look for a job in criminal justice but it was hard even getting an interview since I was lacking any experience being a fresh undergraduate. I became discouraged about future job prospects and felt a little lost. While trying to figure out the next big step in my career, I momentarily worked at a call center for a year. Soon after, my husband proposed to me and I decided to quit my job to plan our wedding.
Now, newlyweds, we moved to Laredo, Texas in 2010 where my husband was stationed. The change of cities was bittersweet. I was excited to start a new life with my husband but I had to let go of my small business. I ended up selling it and walked away with all the experience and pride that it gave me. I attempted again to look for a job in the criminal justice field but was unsuccessful.
My husband was doing well with his career and made it possible for me to take my time and figure out my next big step. At that time, my favorite tío, who always tries to encourage his nieces and nephews to pursue knowledge and a skill set, randomly bought me a jewelry-making kit. I figured, “Why not?” and started my own little jewelry business which I would sell to my friends and acquaintances.
In 2013, we started our own family and welcomed home our son. We decided that I would postpone my career search and raise our son for his first four years. In 2017, we decided to sell our house as it was getting close to my husband’s transfer back to Brownsville, Texas. We rented an apartment where I later ended up working as a leasing agent.
That’s when I realized how much I enjoyed working in an environment where I got to meet new people every day and connect with them. My husband finally got the transfer in 2018, but I stayed to finish our lease and moved on December back in Brownsville. It was hard to move back, I for once felt I was doing something I liked even though it was not within my field of study.
When I moved back, I was dedicated to being a full-time mom as it was a new change for my son. Then in 2020, the pandemic hit. During this time, I was stuck at home like everyone else and took an interest in TikTok. I instantly fell in love with everyone’s creativity and openness on this app and it became my outlet for my creativity and pent-up energy. I started uploading videos and making connections all over the world.
I have met great people who I’m friends with now and visit frequently. These new friends have been a blessing for me and encouraged me to be positive. They came at a moment in my life when I wasn’t even aware that I needed them. I know this small article about me may paint me as someone who has plans of doing it all; acting, dancing, litigating and running a business. I know how hard it can be to take me seriously when I don’t have my mindset.
But I also realized that I haven’t had so much fun or have been so motivated to work towards my goals as I have felt with TikTok. Making people smile and meeting new people makes me happy. Although realistically, TikTok isn’t a career choice for most, so I decided to put my time to more practical use and made the decision to go back to school for my Master’s in Business Administration.
My family was concerned about this new goal of mine. I understand that from their perspective, all my extra energy and time should be with my son. They are coming from a place of love, but sometimes you have to take a leap of faith with yourself and begin the first few steps of a new journey alone. I applied for the Master’s Program, got accepted, and started my first semester in October of 2020.
The first semester was the hardest because I hadn’t been in school in 13 years and now being a mom and having my son do remote school was very challenging. These reasons alone made it difficult, now toss in that it was also a completely new field for me where I had to learn the simplest business terms made it feel at times impossible. The courses were online with pre-recorded lectures.
It felt like I was teaching myself many times. In the first semester, I took statistics and finance, two of my hardest classes in the whole program. I felt out of my league and everything was above my head. I was worried that I wasn’t going to pass. I was doubting myself as I did in high school. But just like in high school, I met and surpassed my personal impossible feats.
As a 35-year-old mom who decided to go back to school after 13 years for her master’s, I was letting myself grow and not letting fear hold me back. I graduated with my master’s this May and am now in pursuit of a position where I can use my creativity and people skills.
Currently, I am focusing on possible careers in digital marketing or public relations.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest struggle was going back to school while my son was doing remote school. I had to sit and watch over him throughout the class to make sure he was also on task.
I still wanted to uphold my duties as a mother and wife, which only provided the evening for my school work. These were long days, and I am very proud that I was able to juggle these different roles.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m currently an Amazon Influencer, and digital content creator, and like to inspire others through my Instagram. I like editing videos for collaborations as I try to show people something different and unique. It’s an opportunity for me to be creative and continue growing my editing skills as it could serve me in my future job.
I just finished my master’s in business and currently looking to join a marketing or PR firm. I am great at talking with others, getting to know them, and building rapport. I would say most would know me as someone with a strong drive, determined, and positive. I’m most proud of taking a chance on myself and continuing to work on myself.
I say what sets me apart from others is my strong positive outlook. I’m a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and in God´s timing. Now that I graduated, I plan to pick up where I left my handmade jewelry and work towards growing it. Instagram (@eyr_jewelry)
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I would say the most important lesson I’ve learned is to never give up on your dreams no matter your age or what others think of you.
People tend to get discouraged because of an age factor or what people might say or think and it’s never too late to pursue what you desire. I am lucky to have a husband and family who support me. Also, I learned that we cannot let fear be the biggest factor in making a choice.
Fear can stop you from achieving a better life. Learn to take a chance on yourself, and know that failure isn’t something to be embarrassed about, it shows you have a drive and had put yourself out there. Be proud of that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-2201db65
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika.3yan/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwUZkPVmEUvMCEA_p5Ryqbg
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@erika3yan
