A Mini-Interview: Ximena Mondragon
soy la misma newsletter
There's nothing more satisfying than getting off a call with the most amazing humans I know. I've been feeling more communicative and energized to connect with people this summer, and I thought, "Why don't I reconnect with a few friends from back in the day and check in and see if their twenties are just as turbulent as mine." So, if there's one thing you should walk away from at the end of this newsletter, it's calling up friends you haven't touched base in a long time and check in with them!
I've invited my friend, Ximena Mondragon, for the first min-interview series this summer! I met Ximena as an IGNITE Fellow in 2018-2019. Her smile, laughter, humbleness, and authentic self drew me to her. She's a rad Latina with an even more rad story.
Andrea: Let's go back to undergrad! Where did you go, and what did you study?
Ximena: I went to St. Mary's University (a small, private Catholic University in San Antonio, Texas; I'm from Houston). I studied political science.
Andrea: Want to elaborate on your undergrad experience?
Ximena: When I applied to college, I was under DACA. My undergrad degree was a little tougher to obtain, but St. Mary's gave me a good financial packet. It was a great experience. I don't align much with the religious aspect, but the values were community-oriented. I was first-gen, and during that time, my mom was still in Mexico because she was deported. And so I needed that close community; I felt supported by every professor, department, and student.
Andrea: I, too, attended a small private arts Catholic school and felt the same way about the tight community I found and how precious it was to me. Are you attending grad school or planning to?
Ximena: I'm studying for the LSAT. There's a lot of toughness around that too. As a first-gen, low-income student, it's been taught to climb the corporate ladder, return to school, and maintain a full-time job. But it all takes time and many resources.
Andrea: Good luck!! I've been through that, and it's insanity. Tell me, are you currently working at a place that ties to your study?
Ximena: Yes, right after undergrad, I got an internship at the Texas Capitol. I started doing legislative work, but I was never interested in Texas politics because, you know, Texas. I then got hired in college education-related legislation. After the legislative session, they let go of interns or those who are not essential due to budget cuts. And so, I got the great opportunity to be a district director for my community state rep in Houston-- I did that for three years. I left because the pay wasn't there, which took a toll on me. And you know, you start seeing how much you're valued in the workplace. Because it's our first opportunity, we take the minimum. I got a job at a non-profit, was a student engagement manager, and then went to the school district. I was a policy analyst for the school district and was doing local, state, and federal policy (though it was getting pretty ugly at times). So just a few days ago, I started a new role as the Director of Community Relations for the University of Houston system - I oversee their department. I still get to do community and policy work, which I love putting together. I always have to find how to connect policy and legislation work to the community because there's such a gap in giving community people more access to that work.
Andrea: That's so important! Let's back up again after undergrad -- do you recall the transition to the real world?
Ximena: The biggest shift is how your community changes. When in college, the community is so close, like friends, advisors, and others. When you leave there, you have to restart creating a new community because you can't take all those friends and advisors with you. You also start seeing the pressure of money because you know things are expensive. I started getting paid $45,000 a year, but in Houston, can you realistically live with that? And the pressure of family, being first-gen is hearing, "Well, you have a college degree!" But as we know, having a college degree doesn't mean getting paid a lot of money. I had the idea if I worked hard in college, I'd get paid well after college, but that's not the truth. Finding a job is tough -- truthfully, it's who you know. If your family doesn't have connections, especially in the policy realm, how do we make strong connections to ensure we can be in those spaces? And then a shift happens where you start feeling all mixed emotions: Am I behind? Am I doing the right thing? And then feeling rushed and becoming burned out. There are a lot of things we have to figure out.
Andrea: I so giggled at the college degree comment from immigrant parents about money and college degrees because that's so real. Now, when you left undergrad, where did you live, and what was the experience of going back home?
Ximena: I stayed in Austin but always knew I wanted to go home but with a plan. I moved in with my parent's after leaving a relationship (we lived together for about a year) in Houston. The dynamic of living at home as a grad and a career woman is like obviously being an adult but not so much viewed as an adult by your family. There is also the guilt of wanting to leave again (and having a place to yourself) because I'm the one everyone relies on. I'm also close to them, and I've always been a caretaker, but I'm still struggling to break away from feeling guilty because it's important to go on your own.
Andrea: Yes! I'm living at home, but I want my place. Though my parents, especially my dad, can be so weird about it that it creates this inner guilt! Next question: as an immigrant, what's been the most rewarding thing you've learned since out of undergrad?
Ximena: The most important thing is understanding that we're worthy of what we've done and that school is not the only thing we are good at. Sometimes there's a narrative there that immigrants should be good at school because it was "handed" to us, but it was never really handed to us -- we had to work for it! Our parents worked for it, too; my mom worked more to help me out when I couldn't by myself. We're working hard for these things. Therefore, we are worthy of those things.
Andrea: What has kept you motivated in the real world? What's the fire that keeps you going
Ximena: Girl, it's so hard (*laughter*), honestly. It's tough out here because you see the ugliness of it. In policy, I saw the ugliness of it. For example, the governor has been doing awful things on the border. I used to work with a group of immigrant mothers and like their stories are powerful. I would take them to hearings and places they felt they didn't belong. I always think about them because of their stories, their struggles, and the fighting they keep doing with a full heart and positive attitude. I'm more privileged because of my education and where I've worked; their hope reminds me not to get so down about things. Sometimes it can feel like nothing will change, but the small things help keep going. I'm in a WhatsApp chat with these women still, and they're still doing great things and getting involved with their children's education. Those genuine connections are so valuable. There are the inner people you chat with all the time, and then there is the outer people/community that will still chat with you after many days/years because you built those relationships. It's important to keep those people around, too as they can uplift you.
Andrea: I love that! So, after all these years post-school, have you ever had second thoughts about what you should've done while in school?
Ximena: I'm 26 now, and I think about what if I had gone to law school at a much earlier age (not saying you can't do it at an older age). But at the same time, I knew I wasn't ready for a full-time school commitment right after undergrad. Now, I feel more ready to go—a decision that is my own and not of my parents. Throughout these years, I've created connections that are helping me towards where I'm going. I wouldn't have them if I had gone straight to law school. I believe this is where the universe wants me, and I have faith in it.
Andrea: Any advice you have for immigrants/children of immigrants living in their twenties?
Ximena: Only accept PAID internships! It's gonna be tough out there because it'll feel like you're starting with nothing, but you can do it. Also, if you start feeling burned out - listen to yourself! You hear about it, but when you start experiencing it, you question it. So I do wish I would've listened to it myself earlier because it only worsens. You must listen to yourself; if you need a break, take a break. There's no shame in that! And don't feel guilty for being you and wanting things for yourself (like getting a nice apartment away from your parents). I still struggle with listening to what I need instead of my expectations. And go for all the opportunities; I always say, "Have the confidence of a white man." As Latinas, we sell ourselves short, but we are more than capable of doing "hard" things and have the ability to be in all spaces-- so go for another degree, go for things you really want. Have confidence. Never forget where you came from and have an appreciation for it. The real world is tough, but you'll make it -- many of us are making it. Lastly, you define your success. No one else does.
