We recently had the chance to connect with John Paculdo Koenigshofer and have shared our conversation below.
John, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Since graduating college in June, I’ve found more time to pursue my non-work-related hobbies, particularly in music. I’ve been learning how to DJ for the past few months, which has been a challenging but rewarding journey that stimulates my creativity in a unique way. I hope to eventually reach a level of skill where I can share with my friends the joy I find in DJing!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a 22-year-old political organizer, policy advocate, and recent graduate of UC San Diego. While I’m mainly based in San Diego, my work has taken me to various other areas of the state and the country: from organizing in Orange County and the Bay Area for community-focused candidates to lobbying in Washington DC for student-centered policy priorities and fair higher education funding. The majority of my work focuses on elevating the perspectives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs)—a mission heavily influenced by my background as a Filipino-American and the child of a first-generation immigrant.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
It may be cliché to say these days, but too much time on social media plays a big role in tearing people apart. Algorithms feed off of mistrust, loneliness, and other negative emotions to keep us addicted to their platforms; all the while, our relationships and our mental health suffer. The best thing we can all do for ourselves and each other is to know when to log off: go outside, talk to your loved ones, strike up a conversation with someone new, or check out events in your neighborhood. Face-to-face interaction is the antidote to isolation; bringing our communities back together starts with you.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I think I would say, “Have more trust in yourself.” It’s easy to get trapped in the cycle of self-doubt at any stage of life, but especially when you’re making that transition from adolescence to adulthood. That insecurity and uncertainty was something I dealt with a lot towards the end of high school and even the start of college. But even though it took some time, I found my way into a career that allows me to find both personal fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment by helping out my community. It turns out we know a lot more about ourselves, our aspirations, and our abilities than we think; so when you’re thinking of pursuing your ambitions, no matter your stage in life, have a little faith that you have what it takes to make it work.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
While she may be one of San Diego’s newest members of the California State Assembly, the reason I admire Dr. Darshana Patel isn’t because of her title; it’s because I’ve seen her ardent commitment to giving to the people around her and making her community a better place firsthand. Dr. Patel has been a valued colleague and personal friend to me even before she was elected, and she always listens with an open mind to everyone in her community—even younger folks like me. Her authentic, honest leadership and analytical approach to public policy are highly admirable qualities in a public servant, and reflect values that I aspire to embody myself as my career in organizing and advocacy continues to develop.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
My community would remain. The reason I got into advocacy work has always been, and continues to be, bringing up the people around me. At my core, I believe that every person should have the fair opportunity to pursue passions that allow them to find fulfillment in life, and that everyone should have a strong system of support around them to help them reach those goals. Community-building is a foundational piece of that: I want a community that I can rely on to take care of me even if I truly lose everything, and I want everyone to be able to hold that same trust in the people around them. Even when things get difficult for us as individuals, our communities will be there to help us through the hard times.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/johnpaculdok
- Instagram: @votejpk
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-paculdo-k/
- Twitter: @JohnPaculdoK
