Born to Break Barriers: The Life of A Multifaceted Woman

Written By: Grace Gonzales

From a young age, I have never been one to allow for labels to define me. Whether it was regaurding my interests, my strengths, my weaknesses, or even my sexuality, I knew I held power in being a person who likes to explore. This way of being has led to many challenges, mainly due to the fact that I am a woman and a person of color, but also because the world we live in tends to value specialization rather than diversity.

There is a pressure to conform that begins early in life. For example, encouraging kids to pick their favorite color, school subject, or animal when they're young. Expecting high schoolers to have an idea of what major they might want to study in college and encouraging them to"gain experience early" to make for stronger candidate. In college we are directed to continue our studies with a specific focus and given very little opportunity to explore outside that realm. This cycle only gets worse trying to break into a career path.

Unfortunately, this ideal of specialization is not something that caters to everyone. People with more challenging life circumstances, most the time, do not even have the time or resources to dedicate to just one sector of their life. In order to create more inclusive and diverse spaces, people really need to wake up and recognize the importance of being multifaceted.

As a woman, this is an extremely hard barrier to break through as we already face so many negative stigmas when it comes to our place in the workforce. It is crucial to understand that women, more specifially BIPOC women, are underrepresented across various industries, especially in higher-ranking positions. This is why it is important for us to be multifaceted and to find new ways to represent ourselves.

This need for multifaceted representation becomes even more critical for recent college graduates like myself, currently navigating the job market. Having allowed myself to explore a variety of skills, I am equipped with a diverse range of experiences. This diversity enables me to tailor my resume to different job opportunities and showcase the unique blend of skills I possess.

In a world where job postings often emphasize specialization, it's empowering to recognize that a multifaceted approach can open doors to various career paths. Embracing and highlighting this diversity of skills becomes a strategy for success in a job market that is slowly shifting its focus towards inclusivity and recognizing the value of a well-rounded individual.

As we continue to challenge societal norms and advocate for diversity and inclusion, it's essential for individuals, especially women and people of color, to celebrate their multifaceted identities. By doing so, we not only break through barriers but also contribute to a more inclusive and dynamic workforce that values the richness of diverse experiences and perspectives.