Throughout the upcoming weeks, GiveTeens20®®interns are discussing their ideas of the American Dream and how their potential career relates to this. In addition, a video from the organization GROCO highlights how successful individuals in their career field have helped broaden their American Dream.
I moved to the United States from Mexico with my parents when I was just four years old. We moved here with the intention to live a better life full of endless opportunities. It was not easy being a young boy having to adapt to a whole new world, but looking back, it was the best decision my parents could have made.
It is no secret that we all have goals and dreams, but what is not commonly known is that every dream requires a sacrifice. The sacrifices we make are what keep us going because we know the end result will pay off. We all fight for a dream, but some immigrants fight for the American Dream. As children, we are told that the smarter you are and the more money you make, the happier you will be. To some, that is the American Dream. To me, the American Dream is being successful, whether that be mentally, physically, emotionally, financially, etc. The American Dream is using your platform to uplift others. It is making sure you are happy as well as those around you.
To me, the American Dream is being successful, whether that be
-Andy Contreras Tostado, GT20 Internmentally , physically, emotionally, financially, etc. The American Dream is using your platform to uplift others. It is making sure you are happy as well as those around you.
I didn’t know anything about the United States when I came here; it was a culture shock. Coming from a place of very little upward mobility, I always heard my parents talking about all the opportunities available in the USA. Now that I have grown older, I am finally able to understand what my parents would talk about. The number one thing my parents constantly pushed on me was to do well in school, get good grades, and always keep learning because that alone will get you far. Being told that constantly became annoying, especially because I did not understand why learning was so important. Now, having graduated high school and being the first in my family to attend college, I realize how important education really is. It is the gateway to everything in the world (More education, job opportunities, relationships… you name it!).
Highlighted in the GROCO website, Jenny Oaks Baker emphasizes the importance of developing your own talents. Developing your own talents allows you to share your skills with others and be an example for someone of what it means to be persistent and successful. Along with Baker’s ideas, also highlighted on the GROCO website is Dirk Lorenz, owner of Fremont Flowers. Lorenz is a great example of how learning and giving back makes up the American Dream. Like Lorenz, many people go through different careers until they find the right one for them. Education and learning every day and using your skills to uplift and teach others is what the American Dream is all about.
With the help of people like Baker and Lorenz, we can create a diverse and better life for all and make our communities better.
Jenny Oaks Baker
https://www.groco.com/radio/jenny_oaks_baker_developing_talents.aspx
Dirk Lorenz
https://www.groco.com/radio/maintaining_relevance.aspx
Andy understands what it is like to stand outside the norm. Having moved from Mexico to the United States at the age of four, Andy had to adapt to a whole new lifestyle. Andy is currently majoring in Journalism/Mass Communication at De Anza College in Cupertino, CA. He loves to watch Netflix, go on adventures with friends and family, and make people laugh. Without those people, he would not be the person he is today.