Hello, Katipuneros! My name is Joelyn “Joe” Valencia and I graduated in June 2021 with a B.S. in Bioengineering. The first two years of college I definitely struggled with loneliness and finding a place where I belonged. I was unbelievably hard on myself when it came to school. For the first two years, all I would really do was go to class, the gym, and back to my dorm or the library to study. The only people I ever talked to were the people in my learning community, and while I can’t thank them enough for everything, I was still searching for a sense of community and those deeper connections. After mustering up all my courage, I joined Katipunan late into my second year and was immediately met with welcoming arms. Katipunan helped me find the balance I needed to succeed in my academic life, maintain a happy social life, and grow closer to my culture. The friendships and support system I gained in Katipunan not only gave me the confidence and drive to succeed, but provided me a safe place that I could call home.
The challenges that come after graduation are unpredictable, yet extremely valuable. A few months after graduation, I moved to Daly City to work at a startup biotech company as a Field Service and Hardware Support Engineer. The best way I can describe my current role is to travel to customer sites to install and repair the company’s instrument, and to test and design new features for the instrument. I achieved everything I could’ve asked for, yet I still had the same sense of loneliness as first and second year Joe. I had lost my sense of balance. Friends that were once a quick 5 minute drive turned into a 7 hour drive. I constantly overworked myself - I could count a handful of days where I started the day at 8 AM and returned home at 7:00 PM. I was hard on myself whenever I made a mistake at work. I fell into the repeated cycle of work, gym, and sleep. I would think about work 24/7 and would feel completely lost when I wasn’t working.
Thankfully, I regained my sense of balance by building a support system in the Bay Area with other Katipunan alumni. They constantly reminded me to make time for the things I enjoy. Whether it be discovering a new restaurant, seeing your favorite artist, playing with your dog, or journaling, taking time for the things you love lets you appreciate all the hardships and daily struggles. Making time for the things you enjoy relieves stress and allows you to discover deeper parts of yourself. Second, they reminded me that there is always someone cheering you on, near and far. Those that love and support you will do what they can to make you feel that. Those that love and support you will always make you feel like you belong and you’re at home. The right support system won’t let you go through hardships alone.
With that being said, I hope you find a support system that gives you the courage to push through each obstacle. I hope you one day find that place where you can breathe, and feel like you finally belong. I hope you make time for the things you enjoy. I hope you find that balance so you can succeed.
