Jocelyn Villalobos is a social welfare major. As we honor Latinx social workers during Latinx Heritage month, the LCOEBH asked Jocelyn a few questions about her work with Latinx communities and how her identity informs her perspective on social welfare.
What part of your Latinx heritage and culture are you most proud of?
I am proud to be Mexican because we are resilient and self-sacrificial for the people we love. These characteristics I was able to find in my parents as they are my first teachers in my life. Growing up, it was difficult for my family to make ends meet. My dad would work from dawn to dusk shoveling and doing heavy laborer work, yet at moments it was not enough causing us to live paycheck-to-paycheck. As I grew older, I now understand and see the damaging effects of economic injustices and the exploitation of workers. My parents sacrificed their bodies, health, and time for our family. All in the name of love and survival. They are the key factors in my life that displayed resilience and sacrifice. I want to show them that the fruits of their hard labor are worth it and it has helped me develop grit when I have academic challenges and difficult life events.
Why did you choose to major in social work?
Growing up, my Catholic faith has influenced my outlook on life and my commitment to public service. I was deeply inspired by the social teachings on love, human dignity, and caring for the vulnerable, which began my journey in social ministry. My experience volunteering at food kitchens, shelters, and homeless outreach at the Tenderloin District opened my eyes to the severity of the food and housing insecurity crisis and many social injustices. Being able to break bread with others, help people meet their basic needs, and practice relational ministry has been the most intimate and life-changing experience. It's always about people, and enhancing the holistic well-being of individuals and communities — that's all I want to do. I choose to study social work because I want to help alleviate social injustices in my community and make my client's experience more humanizing. Also, I love how the field of social work is so broad because of its diverse needs. Inside the classroom, I love how caring and honest my professors and classmates are. We create a safe space for us to talk and be real with each other. Overall, I am beyond grateful to study social welfare at UC Berkeley because I feel like I am part of a community of scholars that really strives to transform the system that perpetuates poverty and social disadvantage.
As a social work student, how do you hope to uplift Latinx communities?
I want to uplift Latinx folks by including them in conversations, change the power dynamic in social work practices, and increase scholarship. It is not easy to be in academia and only hear the dominant discourse. It was discouraging for me when the "key figures" in my studies did not look like me. Frankly, I felt like my culture was not embraced or important. I want to be able to create and advocate for spaces where different cultures and identities are welcome and not hidden in conversations. When I do become a social worker, I hope to practice cultural immersion and bilingualism. The only way I can find out the needs of the Latinx community is by making space to listen. We all belong at the table.
What advice, if any, would you give to a Latinx individual considering a major in social work?
To any student who is Latinx or a first-generation college student, don't feel so pressured to figure things out right away. I learned that if I focus too much on the future, I lose sight of the present moment. There will be moments where you will feel pressure to figure things out, but I promise if you put your heart and mind to it and when the right time comes, doors and opportunities will open. Divine timing. Genuinely enjoy the process and along the way find your "niche." College can offer you much more than a degree. It is a self-discovery journey. Knowing who you are, should be the first step when trying to figure out what you want to do in your future career. It wasn't until I met people who looked like me and entered into spaces such as the Latinx Center of Excellence in Behavioral Health, that I started to believe I had potential and received guidance to achieve my personal and career goals. Community is so important wherever you go. As a transfer student, it was difficult to establish that because I knew nobody but I had to get out of my comfort zone. It made the journey less lonely because we are not meant to do things alone. I encourage students to find mentors and create intentional and authentic friendships. It will truly shape and influence your journey here at Cal. Matter of fact, I encourage students to apply to the La Red de Apoyo Mentorship program. It was the first place where I received guidance and support when I had questions about social work and helped me gain internship experience.
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your time at Cal?
Working hard can be a key to achieving goals, but do not let it push your limits. Be mindful of your holistic health when you are in college. There were times where I felt the workload was too much to handle and there wasn't enough time in the day to accomplish my tasks. I would encourage students to prioritize their health take care of their precious minds, body, and soul. It's something I had to learn at Berkeley and unlearn what working hard really means because I don't just want to just pass my classes but I want to thrive at Cal. Dealing with anxiety, stress, and depression are something that they don't often teach you at school, but I am beyond grateful for my professors at Cal who introduced me to mindfulness, mediation, and breathing exercises. Practicing mindfulness truly liberated me. It is not that I intentionally wanted to neglect my body, but I did not create space to listen to my holistic health. Being attentive to the needs of my mind, body, and soul helped me become more resilient as a student.