The Journey to Success

by Margarita Ortega
February 24, 2010

With a newly acquired college diploma in hand, what is next? Students graduate from high school and enter college as the following step in the process of accomplishing their lifetime objectives. Some graduates want to become doctors, teachers, engineers, or even the next President of the United States; a paper that classifies a person as educated is not enough to achieve that set goal.

Certain careers have large obstacles to overcome, however dedication and persistence will be determining factors that will enable everyone to reach their goals and be successful. Differentiating themselves from the crowd and taking self-initiative will secure the dream job a student hankers to obtain. “This is a long process of training and high performance. My recommendation is that you always achieve the highest grades during school; and during your work experience, make the most possible effort to be the best. The level of competition among government agencies, businesses, and corporations is very high, therefore it is imperative that one differentiates from the rest,” said Antonio Ortega, Commercial Counselor for Mexico in Michigan and Trade and Investment Representative for Hidalgo and Estado de Mexico, during one of our conversations.

Many students, like me, want to pursue a profession that is not necessarily common and requires a lifetime commitment.

I want to become a prominent ambassador to my country. Specific prerequisites and a challenging background, stated in Chapter IV of the Law of the Mexican Exterior Service (Ley del Servicio Exterior Mexicano), come adhered to my goal. Even though the requirements are challenging, the burden I have imposed on myself to promote the prosperity of Mexico and its untapped intelligence and talent weigh more than any other barrier that may come along my journey.

Living in a border city like Juárez has enabled me to experience the desperation of people from South Mexico and Central America. These people come to Juárez to attempt to illegally enter U.S. borders, in the hope of having a brighter future for themselves and their families. People still believe that “the grass is greener on the other side of the River,” and do not take into account that they will jeopardize their life and their family’s wellbeing by walking long days in hot deserts or traveling inside unventilated trailers as cargo before they reach the green grass. Why is it that immigrants do not stay in their country and prosper with its country’s resources? Is it the government’s inefficiency of creating jobs for its people? Or is it the people’s attitude?

When Hernan Cortes first landed in America in 1504, he noticed that the Mexican soil was rich and fertile, thus fought against anyone for the acquisition of such land. Mexico has excellent resources available to exploit and generate jobs, enough jobs to put bread on every Mexican table.

Illegal immigrants in the United States have an important role in the nation’s large economy. According to the Urban Institute, immigrants constitute 34% of the labor force in the domestic sphere, 23% in agriculture and fishing, 21% in assembly operations or machinery, and 18% in services. Immigrants contribute greatly to the success of foreign countries’ economy, although the economy of the immigrant‘s country is affected by the hard working immigrant that left. The USA Today could not be more accurate when on July of 2001 it stated, “USA just wouldn’t work without immigrant labor.”

Former U.S. President George W. Bush also had his opinion on immigration. Bush said, “Immigration is not a problem that needs to be resolved. It is a signal of a secure and successful nation… Foreigners should be welcomed, without prejudice and resentment, but with appreciation and courtesy.”

I want to be a part of Mexico’s economic transformation. I want other countries to see the potential filled in Mexico’s citizens. Many Mexicans have a strong desire to work hard for the wellbeing of their family. Hiking through deserts and working long hours for a poor salary in a foreign land demonstrates the immigrants’ determination and willingness to build a better future for their children.

My goal to change Mexico will certainly be difficult to obtain, but the passion and love I have for Mexico will get me to where I desire to be. A student’s story might be similar to mine, or their expectations might be higher, it does not matter. If somebody is determined to fight for his or her dream, the process will not be tedious, but exciting.

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Margarita Ortega

Ortega is a freshman Economics and International Business major at the University of Texas at El Paso. She is a first year member of the Regional Economic Development Association. Ortega's goal is to become a Mexican Ambassador.