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Stephanie Tavarez Interview About Pursuing Your Passion.

Pursuing my passion gives me a drive that I have never felt before. I did not have a clear sense of direction for what I wanted in life and where I was going, which was why in college I had changed my major 3 times. After realizing that I was pushing myself into majors that I really did not enjoy because I wanted stability I had enough and decided to go for what I really was interested in. 

WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THIS WAS YOUR PASSION?

After falling in love with Business I quickly learned that I did not enjoy just ANY business, I HAD to be in the business of fashion. I was told by so many people throughout my time in college and even after graduation that Fashion is one of the toughest fields to break in to, and after not being able to find a job I enjoyed 9 months after graduation I quickly understood. I almost settled for banking jobs and sales jobs that I had no real interest in, only because I wanted to put my degree to use. I was so unhappy and decided I could not give in as I had seen so many people do, and had to pursue what I love doing the most. I could have easily given up after 3 months of not finding a job in my field, but I didn’t and I found a job in one of the largest retailers in the country. And even that isn’t enough. I’m more than grateful to be working in the field I enjoy but it has continued to give me a drive for more success and more growth.

WHO ARE YOUR MOTIVATORS?

One of my biggest motivators is when I think about everything my parents had to give up in order for me to grow up how I did. If they were able to leave their home country at around the same age I am now, leaving family behind and starting a new life then I have no excuse to get things done. They had no other option but to work in jobs they did not exactly enjoy and had to settle for that just to make ends meet, but they made sure I was given the proper opportunity to go for what I enjoy and succeed so I refuse to put all their sacrifice to waste, and actually live my life how they intended it to be.

DESCRIBE YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT.

My proudest moment was when I came home after having an interview with my current employer and seeing my mother’s face light up when I told her “They hired me on the spot!” Hearing my mother and father tell everyone they know about how successful their two daughters are and how we both have such respectable and impressive jobs makes everything worth it. Not only have I been making them proud, but I’ve been doing it while doing what I love. There’s no better feeling!

ANY ADVICE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID TOO FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS?

My advice would be that there are SO many opportunities for you to lose faith in yourself and feel as though you are not enough, or that what you want is way beyond reach but that is completely false. For those 9 months after graduation I got either rejection or silence from companies I really wanted to be part of. 10 applications a day were not enough, 5 different types of resumes and cover letters were not enough, and keeping to yourself is not enough either. You have to force your mind to think of success only and not feel like a failure once you hear “No.” You have to speak to people doing what you want to do and hear about their experiences, and take in what they say. Don’t think you know everything because there is so much left for you to learn

WHO DO YOU HOPE TO IMPACT THROUGH YOUR WORK?

I hope that I can impact and influence other people who have similar situations as me. I want people who come from families where their parents are immigrants with nothing to see my situation and hear what I’m doing and understand that people like us do not have to aspire for less just because we were not born into wealth and opportunity. If it’s one thing that we learn from our parents is that you need to go out and make that opportunity happen for yourself, and I represent that. You don’t understand how excited and proud I feel when I see people in the office explaining their business while speaking with thick foreign accents because it just proves that we CAN accomplish more than we think. 

Lada: I've known Stephanie since Le Moyne College. She was one of the people who inspired me to create my own website and was always helpful when I had questions. I was so happy when she agreed to do the interview and even more excited to share with all of you.