Alfred Hijar, Registered Nurse, BSN
Esteemed members of Project ARRIBA, my name is Alfred Hijar and I am a proud nursing graduate of the UTEP class of Spring 2019. I am here to tell you a little about myself and my journey throughout this program. How I must, without a doubt or moment of hesitation, absolutely credit this organization with my success in obtaining this degree.
I was born and raised here in El Paso, Texas. I grew up in the northeast part of town, where as far as I can remember, becoming a doctor was my dream. My mother eventually moved us to the eastside of town where I graduated from Eastwood High School in 1993. Following graduation, my father sat me down and explained to me how medical school would take me more than 8 years to complete. He knew how good I was in math and he talked me into pursuing an electrical engineering degree at UTEP. It sounded like a good idea at the time; I was only 18 and anything my father told me regarding my future sounded like a good idea. I began attending UTEP immediately after graduation, but two years into the engineering program, I knew that becoming an engineer was not what I wanted. I started to feel a little lost and disengaged. I changed my major to health sciences and had no idea where that was going to take me. It was then that I decided to leave UTEP in order to pursue aspirations that included a wife and children. I began working full-time as a Teller Coordinator at Bank of America in order to provide for my family. Five years later, in 2003, I returned to UTEP to continue in my academic endeavors. I completed my bachelors of science degree in 2007, and looked onward to other options and opportunities then, as Medical School seemed like an unobtainable dream. Any medical program would take me outside of the city, and I was not willing to leave my children.
With my degree, I began working at a medical device testing laboratory here in El Paso gaining experience testing all types of medical devices. This prospect helped me gain insight as to how hospitals and medical equipment operates, is tested for microbiologicals, and then is sterilized and ready for use. After working there seven years, I reached my full potential at the lab and decided it was time to move on. I left that position and began working at the Quality Assurance Lab for the Coca-Cola Company. At this position, I similarly tested for microbiologicals in the Coca-Cola product. While the work itself was interesting and challenging, within four years, I realized my passion for medicine and working with patients in a hospital was still apparent and I had to look into the possibility of pursuing it.
Going back to school was not an easy decision in the slightest as I had so much more to be grateful for but on that note, so much more to consider as well. I was blessed with my wife, two kids in high school, and two little ones. I had many doubts about returning to school, including financial concerns, care for my children and the financial weight imposed on my wife and what that truly meant. My wife, first and foremost, gave me all the incentive and support I needed, but I was definitely blessed to receive help from extended family and friends. The initial sacrifice was in thinking of paying and sustaining my home. The initial blessing came in Project ARRIBA accepting my application and taking the time to sit and discuss with me what the program entailed and offered. Ms. Herminia (Mimi) Duran had the utmost of patience and compassion in explaining everything to me in the manner I needed to hear and understand. I still knew of the sacrifice and hardships to come, yet, thanks to Project ARRIBA, it was a huge relief to know supplies, books and tuition assistance was to come. I was overwhelmed with an abundance of gratitude.
Then there was the obvious concern with matters of care for my younger children. With both my wife and I working, we could afford care for them, but now in the face of only having one income and both of us being preoccupied, this was a huge dilemma to face and one that definitely made me second guess my academics and pursuit of. It is then, through mentorship and guidance of Project ARRIBA that assistance was offered. I need to clarify when I say assistance; they completely covered the cost of my children to be cared for. The children I left asleep most mornings to go to school and study, and came home to sleeping, so I could study some more.
I was able to focus my attention on my studies and becoming a nursing student role model. I joined the Texas Nurses Student’s Association (TNSA) and was voted into an officer’s position. I surpassed the record of most community service volunteer hours by any member with close to 300 hours. It was not an easy road, and my family and I have sacrificed a lot to be here today. Without the help and assistance from Project ARRIBA, this accomplishment would not be possible. Thank you, Project ARRIBA, for all you do!
I was born and raised here in El Paso, Texas. I grew up in the northeast part of town, where as far as I can remember, becoming a doctor was my dream. My mother eventually moved us to the eastside of town where I graduated from Eastwood High School in 1993. Following graduation, my father sat me down and explained to me how medical school would take me more than 8 years to complete. He knew how good I was in math and he talked me into pursuing an electrical engineering degree at UTEP. It sounded like a good idea at the time; I was only 18 and anything my father told me regarding my future sounded like a good idea. I began attending UTEP immediately after graduation, but two years into the engineering program, I knew that becoming an engineer was not what I wanted. I started to feel a little lost and disengaged. I changed my major to health sciences and had no idea where that was going to take me. It was then that I decided to leave UTEP in order to pursue aspirations that included a wife and children. I began working full-time as a Teller Coordinator at Bank of America in order to provide for my family. Five years later, in 2003, I returned to UTEP to continue in my academic endeavors. I completed my bachelors of science degree in 2007, and looked onward to other options and opportunities then, as Medical School seemed like an unobtainable dream. Any medical program would take me outside of the city, and I was not willing to leave my children.
With my degree, I began working at a medical device testing laboratory here in El Paso gaining experience testing all types of medical devices. This prospect helped me gain insight as to how hospitals and medical equipment operates, is tested for microbiologicals, and then is sterilized and ready for use. After working there seven years, I reached my full potential at the lab and decided it was time to move on. I left that position and began working at the Quality Assurance Lab for the Coca-Cola Company. At this position, I similarly tested for microbiologicals in the Coca-Cola product. While the work itself was interesting and challenging, within four years, I realized my passion for medicine and working with patients in a hospital was still apparent and I had to look into the possibility of pursuing it.
Going back to school was not an easy decision in the slightest as I had so much more to be grateful for but on that note, so much more to consider as well. I was blessed with my wife, two kids in high school, and two little ones. I had many doubts about returning to school, including financial concerns, care for my children and the financial weight imposed on my wife and what that truly meant. My wife, first and foremost, gave me all the incentive and support I needed, but I was definitely blessed to receive help from extended family and friends. The initial sacrifice was in thinking of paying and sustaining my home. The initial blessing came in Project ARRIBA accepting my application and taking the time to sit and discuss with me what the program entailed and offered. Ms. Herminia (Mimi) Duran had the utmost of patience and compassion in explaining everything to me in the manner I needed to hear and understand. I still knew of the sacrifice and hardships to come, yet, thanks to Project ARRIBA, it was a huge relief to know supplies, books and tuition assistance was to come. I was overwhelmed with an abundance of gratitude.
Then there was the obvious concern with matters of care for my younger children. With both my wife and I working, we could afford care for them, but now in the face of only having one income and both of us being preoccupied, this was a huge dilemma to face and one that definitely made me second guess my academics and pursuit of. It is then, through mentorship and guidance of Project ARRIBA that assistance was offered. I need to clarify when I say assistance; they completely covered the cost of my children to be cared for. The children I left asleep most mornings to go to school and study, and came home to sleeping, so I could study some more.
I was able to focus my attention on my studies and becoming a nursing student role model. I joined the Texas Nurses Student’s Association (TNSA) and was voted into an officer’s position. I surpassed the record of most community service volunteer hours by any member with close to 300 hours. It was not an easy road, and my family and I have sacrificed a lot to be here today. Without the help and assistance from Project ARRIBA, this accomplishment would not be possible. Thank you, Project ARRIBA, for all you do!