I left everything behind at 19 and came to the US with dreams. After landing in a new country without speaking a word of English and encountering trials and tribulations. But even though I was just starting out and quite new, a random meeting with an incredible woman in my first job interview would leave an imprint for life. Her empathy, the warm glow of hope she inspired, led me towards a path that could have opened the door to everything.
I arrived at the office building for my first job interview on a sunny morning, a nervous wreck. To my relief, as I entered the room, a kind-looking woman greeted me with a warm smile, who would soon become a centerpiece in my life. She gazed at me with a kindness and concern that immediately set my nerves at rest. What I didn’t realize was that her complete confidence in my potential would help steer my path.
The pressures of my sparse English vocabulary and sheer panic threatened to drown out my resolve as the interview progressed. But this empathetic interviewer recognized the void behind my struggles. She saw the flame that was in me, the desire to advance even in the face of everything going against me. She didn’t reject me for being inexperienced and lacking the language skills.
In that life-changing moment — answering unsuccessfully — she reached out a rope of hope. How she believed in me lit a fire in my belly that I would consume my entire life pursuing. A job was not just what she opened up for me, she opened up the opportunity for me to be better, rise above what I thought was possible in a new country as an immigrant. That act of compassion was the seed. Resilience would be the sprout. Determination would be the lift.
As we neared the end of the interview, she leaned in, eyes brimming with kindness. “Give me a hug, como los buenos cubanos que somos,” she said smiling. With that simple embrace, she reminded me that I am not doing this alone. Her kind action had crossed language, culture, and professionalism. A reminder that we’re all just human beings and we need each other. Being enveloped in the warmth of her embrace awakened a sense of strength within me and brought forth the feeling of acceptance and safety; that I was going to be okay.
Disregarding the date, to that interview my life was an absolute set of growth and achievement. I have several degrees, worked in management roles for some very well-known companies, and have made a success for myself. But in every success, I still carry with me the memory of that empathetic interviewer. Believing in me has continued to push and drive me throughout this process despite the nerves and anxieties that accompany each successive interview.
As I look back on the journey I have taken, I am thankful for the woman who gave me an opportunity when my potential was concealed behind my shortcomings. This person showed empathy and compassion toward me, and it molded my own growth both personally and professionally. It reminds us that even a little act of kindness can change a person’s life for the better.
To only conclude, the benevolent interviewer who unlocked the doors for me will always remain in my remembrance. A spark of hope that has guided me through the struggles of being a 1st generation college student who is living BASEMENT from tunnel vision and 70+h work weeks. I am continuing to navigate life professionally while.