Education, in my opinion, is a central pillar of human development and a powerful force for transformative change. My own scholarly trajectory and professional path are a testament to the importance of academic empowerment as a key to success, for my commitment to intellectual pursuits allowed me to make the transition from being an underprivileged student in an under-resourced municipality in the countryside of Brazil, to becoming the first in my family to attend college, later graduating as class valedictorian from São Paulo State University, one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in Latin America, from which I earned a B.A. in Languages that opened the doors to my current career.
My parents, a housewife and a metal worker,
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In this position, I provided assistance with homework assignments, use of computers and preparation for tests, creating a safe and welcoming environment for academically struggling students to build confidence and smiles, as well as enhance scores and skills, which, in turn, empowered them to believe in their own ability to succeed regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds. Being myself a foreigner, a public-school product and a first-generation student like most of my tutees, I felt uniquely capable to act as a positive role model and strived to encourage the youth to pursue higher education, helping them discover their strengths and improve performance. This formative experience opened my eyes to the plight of displaced and stateless individuals and the need for increased effectiveness in facilitating their long-term inclusion into their host countries, fueling my desire to work to further support systems and programs to promote cultural adjustment for life beyond the asylum. Upon returning to Brazil, I finished my degree and continued to make a difference by sharing my time and knowledge with the less fortunate through ‘Translators Without Borders’, a non-profit organization that connects skilled linguists …show more content…
But as life sometimes goes, this dream had to take a back seat to the need for a 9-to-5 job to pay the bills and contribute to my family’s finances, and my path was redirected when I was presented with an exciting opportunity to join a USA-based multinational firm specializing in technology-enabled translation and interpretation solutions. Ever since then, I have been working as a Localization Project Manager dedicated to help brands create multilingual content that is culturally relevant and commercially appealing, which equips them to expand their reach to target audiences worldwide. While I enjoy what I do, the global outlook and world-mindedness obtained through my experiences overseas – as a student, a volunteer and an employee – have deepened my long-held ambition of putting my professional acumen and intercultural competences to use in a setting where I can benefit society at large, as opposed to working in a purely profit-driven environment. Ultimately, turning vision into action relies on the efficient management of projects and operations, which is a skill I have honed over the years due to my occupation. The chance to build upon my existing qualifications and gain new insight into the complexities of the international system for a cause that ignites my passion, all the while delivering real-life outcomes that have