Trazando su camino
- La Voz Latina
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Escrito por: Emely Gonzalez 🇸🇻
Mia Benitez, a first-generation student and marketing major, has learned many valuable lessons during her time at the University of Maryland. However, the most significant lesson came from her father’s words: “Tú puedes.”
As the eldest sibling in a family originally from El Salvador, Benitez has taken it upon herself to set an example and make her parents proud. She draws inspiration from her father when he says, “La pala pesa más que un lápiz,” which she has interpreted as a call to carve her own path and strive for better opportunities.
Benitez has actively sought involvement and built a strong community on campus by expressing her creativity and giving back to the community. She has served as the social media manager for La Voz Latina and as vice president of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA).
Her commitment to personal and professional growth led her to an internship at the Bank of America, where she worked in the corporate marketing department at their North Carolina offices.
“Coming together and then being able to create events for people—we work with a company that hosts a workshop. I like putting those together and coming up with a flier to promote the event,” she said. “That’s helped me practice my creative side, and that’s something I really enjoy.”
As the first in her family to enter a corporate role, Benitez initially faced uncertainty but embraced the challenge, knowing that her lápiz was writing a new chapter of success.
“It kind of feels like your parents gave up a lot, and then you had this opportunity, and if you didn't make the most of it, you didn't take advantage of it kind of feels like disappointing,” she said.
Her father has always motivated her to find a job that she would enjoy, as this experience would open the door to that dream for her, one her father couldn’t get.
Though she experienced a learning curve in her studies, she persevered by utilizing available resources and leaning on her supportive community.
Benitez will graduate this year with her undergraduate degree. Additionally, as a participant in the Plus 1 Program, she will also earn her master’s degree in marketing analytics next spring. She plans to use her education to express her creativity and give back to the community.
Most importantly, she hopes to show her father that his sacrifices were not in vain and that this is just one page in the story she continues to write with her lápiz.
“Hoy es un día especial, un reflejo de tu esfuerzo, dedicación y perseverancia. Verte alcanzar esta meta llena mi corazón de orgullo y alegría. Confío en que seguirás alcanzando tus sueños con la misma determinación que te ha traído hasta aquí. Siempre estaré a tu lado, celebrando tus éxitos y apoyándote en cada paso.” - Gladis Benitez
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