Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Reyes.
Diana, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I feel very lucky to be who and where I am. I grew up here in San Diego, specifically in Alpine, with parents and a brother who constantly made me feel loved and supported. Their unceasing support gave me the sense that I could do whatever I put my mind to, personally or professionally. For that reason, I sometimes think my parents gave me and my brother a little too much confidence (haha!). I have always been academically driven and loved the structure that came along with school. I’m definitely more so right-brained in that respect. However, I also love engaging in the arts, humanities, and creative thinking through hobbies, so maybe I’m not completely “square.” It’s hard to strictly compartmentalize parts of any person into one box, people are much more complicated and complex than that. But school-wise, I definitely fall more so to the right. Particularly, I have always enjoyed the sciences. I was fortunate that my high school offered a Medical Pathway for students interested in healthcare careers. The pathway was essentially a specific list of required courses, volunteer hours, and internships to complete before graduation. This sent me on the path towards a profession centered around health. I decided to stay local for college and choose to attend the University of California, San Diego. I just recently graduated with a bachelor’s of science in public health and am now figuring out my next step professionally. While personally, I’m interested in traveling, spending time with friends and family, developing fulfilling hobbies, and figuring myself out (haha!).
Has it been a smooth road?
I am incredibly fortunate to have lived a largely carefree life compared to many others (knock on wood, of course). I do not pretend to be naive in that respect. However, I, like many other women, often find myself struggling with self-doubt and anxious thoughts. Sometimes, I feel guilty for these struggles because I have been lucky in so many ways. But, in my opinion, being open and honest about these matters makes me feel like they have less control over my life. My favorite quality in a person and one I strive to have myself is authenticity. Authenticity does not come without honesty and being open about not just the successes in your life, but also the worries. My advice for women struggling with these issues is to reach out to trusted friends or family members, find outlets for your stress (exercising, reading, painting, etc.) or talking to a therapist, which I think everyone should try at least once! I also recommend finding absorbing books, podcasts or documentaries that really resonate with you and your interests. It’s surprising how common these struggles are and also surprising how much of a weight is lifted when you find out you’re not alone in that experience.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into your business story. Tell us more about the business.
I studied public health (major) and political science (minor) at UCSD and I am currently figuring out what my next step should be. I absolutely love public health as a discipline. I think striving for a healthier society and planet (mentally, physically, and environmentally) is beneficial for everyone across the board and I am excited to have a career that is rooted in that mindset. Originally, I had goals of becoming a healthcare practitioner, whether that be a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. However, I’m not so sure anymore. I think that the administrative side of the healthcare field may be a better fit for me. Possibly a healthcare administrator, a public health lawyer or maybe an organizational/industrial psychologist. Currently, I’m looking for a full-time job in healthcare administration or a similar field to see where I stand in the branch. There are so many choices, it can be quite overwhelming. But as I am often reminded by trusted friends and family, I have my whole life to decide exactly what I want to do and there’s always room for change. Plus, I know I’m not alone in this post-graduation identity “crisis!” And if you’re reading this, thinking you’re alone in this odd, little space of unknown, I’m right there with you! No matter what, I’m sure I will go back to school and continue my education in whatever specific field I decide on. I look forward to a career rooted in the pillars of public health and, more than anything, I’m excited to see where my professional curiosities take me.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
Books:
The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz
Better by Atul Gawande
My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem
Podcasts:
WorkLife with Adam Grant
Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness
All We Cannot Say with Camilla Ruth
Other:
CreativeMornings (free monthly breakfast lecture series designed for creative communities), this event was recommended to me by my creative friends, Summer Williams and Mackenzie Hansen, both of whom are local graphic designers.
Contact Info:
- Email: dfreyes@ucsd.edu
- Other: www.linkedin.com/in/diana-reyes-588b22166
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
