Nazareth College is a super cool place full of super cool people who go on to do super cool things after they graduate. This winter, we’re featuring some of our alumni talking about what they’re doing out there in the real world as well as reflecting on their time here at Naz. Our next profile features the ever stellar Yomayra Guerrero.
Major: Communication and Media
Minor: Digital Marketing and Design
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Grad Year: 2016
What are you doing now?
I am a full time Junior Digital Designer at Jay Advertising in Rochester, NY.
How did your experiences at Naz spark your passion?
I am in search of my passion everyday. My experiences at Nazareth – and outside of Nazareth – have and continue to teach me a lot about myself while allowing me to explore areas of interest where my passion potentially lies. But I am in no rush to find it, living in the moment and embracing the journey is by far the greatest sophistication.
What is your fondest memory of your time at Naz?
Wow, this is an unfair question! All that is Nazareth is my fondest memory. From adventurous walks and bike rides in Pittsford Village to traveling to Belize with Dr. Hallahan and fellow peers, mark my fondest memories at Naz. Oh, let’s not forget my days of fame for being featured on the Naz website! Nazareth provided an environment where I was able to embrace my diversity, my ambitions, my drive, and my curiosity to be successful. I am forever grateful for Nazareth and would not trade my time there for anything.
How has your life changed since graduation?
The real fun just started. Life after graduation has been about adapting to a new environment, finding myself in various areas (whether it be personal or career wise), and being open to learning new things.
What’s one thing about life after Nazareth that turned out differently than you expected?
Thinking that I had my life planned out. One of my fears in college was not knowing where I would end up after graduation. To this I simply say, it is okay to not know where you are going to go after Nazareth. Just take some time to reflect on yourself, your experiences, your interests, and your goals. Then, focus and pursue those things with one thousand and ten percent of your ability; you never know where your own drive will take you.
What’s some advice you have for incoming freshman and current students about making the most of this time in their life?
Two words: Initiative and hunger.
Bonus: Don’t forget to have fun!
One of my favorite quotes is from Eric Thomas’s book The Secret to Success, “You have to want it just as bad as you want to breathe, only then is when you will be successful.” Cliche as it may be, it is the truth. You have to want it. Don’t be afraid to take risks, to learn new things, to ask questions (there’s no such thing as a dumb question), and utilize your resources. Most importantly, your journey is for you. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else because you think that is where you are “supposed” to be. Stay true to yourself. Your college experience is what you want it to be. Making the most of your time at Nazareth is a matter of getting to know you, having fun, taking time for yourself, understanding your habits, exploring your interests, and more – all of which will indefinitely prepare you for your life’s work!
Read more of our alumni series here: Karisa Langdon ’16 Physical Therapy, Taylor Wroblewski ’16 Communication and Media, Ben Stracuzzi ’13 Environmental Science
And be sure to check out our series from last year featuring some of our incredible grads from the class of 2015.