Side by Side: Great Expectations of a Young Latina
by Luz Loera Posted August 8th, 2006
luzeve1Lado a Lado: Una Gran Expectacions de una Joven Latina. Luz Loera.
Translation by Evelyn Constanza
Click “more” to see in both English and Spanish!
Side by Side: Great Expectations of a Young Latina
by Luz Loera Posted August 8th, 2006
My name is Luz Loera. I am a twenty years old Latina and speak both English and Spanish. I grew up in the south side of Chicago, Little Village I am the first out of seven in my family to graduate high school and go to college. I had a daughter when I was nineteen and have managed to work and take care her on my own.
Currently, I am attending DeVry University and am majoring in Health Information Technology. I decided to return to school after several jobs I had were a disaster. One was at a restaurant near the downtown area. It helped that I spoke both English and Spanish. I worked five to six days a week without a scheduled break or a lunch. I had to eat lunch whenever I had the chance. There were only three women working there including myself. The majority of the customers and employees were men, and many were very disrespectful, even the ones who didn’t work there! I had no insurance, and wasn’t allowed to miss a day of work. I did a lot of work and for not enough pay. I was hired as a cashier. However, I also took orders, made them, packed them, and answered the phones and waited on people. There were always a lot of customers. It was a lot of work for just one person to handle, especially in lunchtime. . I really hated that job, and it was one of the reasons why I quit and returned to school full time.
After I graduate and receive my degree in Health Information Technology, I expect to be able to get a good job with good wages and benefits. I want a flexible schedule, so that I can take my daughter to the clinic if it is necessary. But, most importantly, I want respect on the job.
*“Side by Side” is a new column in our newsletter to express the views of young Latinas, which is also translated to reach a wider readership. The article and translation can be read in full on our website.
luzeve1Lado a Lado: Una Gran Expectacions de una Joven Latina. Luz Loera.
Translation by Evelyn Constanza
Mi nombre es Luz Loera. Soy latina y tengo veinte anos de edad. Hablo ambos idiomas espanol e ingles. Creci en el sur de la Ciudad de Chicago llamado “little village”. Soy la primera de siete hermanos en mi familia que se gradua de la Secundaria y que asiste a la Universidad. A mis diecinueve anos de edad tuve una nina y he sabido llevar el control de trabajar y cuidar a mi hija.
Actualmente, asisto ala Universidad Devry y mi Maestria esta basada en “Informacion Tecnologica en Salud”. En todos mis trabajos era un desastre y por eso decidi regresar ala escuela. Uno de mis trabajos fue en el area del centro y el haber sabido dos idiomas fue de gran ayuda para mi. Yo trabajaba de cinco a seis dias a la semana sin tomar descanso, nunca tuve un horario fijo para comer siempre tenia que hacerlo cuando hubiera una oportunidad. Eramos solo tres mujeres trabajando, la mayoria de los clientes y empleados eran hombres y muchos de ellos eran irrespetuosos inclusive los que no trabajaban ahi. Aparte de no tener beneficios no podia perder ni un solo dia y era demaciado trabajo por un pago minimo. Mi puesto era cajera pero a la vez tenia que tomar, hacer y empacar ordenes,contestar telefonos y recibir a los clientes. Siempre habia demaciado trabajo que manejar para una sola persona. Yo realmente odiaba este trabajo, y esta fue una de las rasones por la cual renuncie y regrese a la escuela por tiempo completo.
Despues que me gradue y reciba mi diploma en “Informacion Tecnologica en Salud.” Espero consegir un buen trabajo con buen salario y buenos beneficios, quiero un horario flexible asi podria llevar a mi hija a la clinica si fuera necesario, pero lo mas importante quiero que me respeten en mi trabajo.