12: “No Hay Mal Que Por Bien No Venga”: Learning Your Worth, Learning it Is Okay to Ask for Help, and the Importance of Finding Your Circle

Embarking on a path toward an academic career can be a solitary experience, stirring inner turmoil and frequently giving rise to imposter syndrome. This journey varies significantly for each individual, yet it often incorporates recurring themes that thread their way throughout the process. As a Latina in the academy, these feelings can be heightened and lead to burnout as we may find it more difficult to delegate, set boundaries, and ask for help, as we do not want to seem that we are not capable of accomplishing the tasks set forth or that we are not prepared for the position we may hold. More often, as a Latina in the academy, we may be the only one who looks like us in a department, contributing to our feelings of imposter syndrome. Throughout our collective 36 years of experience, we have learned that it is okay to ask for help, that we must not diminish our worth and demand equitable compensation and experiences, and that it is okay to walk away. We will also discuss the importance of finding a circle of support, those individuals who will uplift you, fill your cup, bounce ideas off of you, and tell you when you are wrong.