My name is Veronica "Ronnie"
Venture.
I'm a first generation
professional from Guyana and I'm
currently the Deputy Officer for
Civil Rights and Civil
Liberties.
I'm the director of EEO and
Diversity at the Department of
Homeland Security.
As with most parents but
especially immigrant parents
education and having a better
life and more opportunities then
they had was very important.
Although my parents wanted the
best for me, they're educated in
Guyana and didn't know how to
help me navigate through
college.
I distinctly remember how
unprepared I was with college.
When I showed up to my dorm room
with only two suitcases and none
of the dorm essentials like
sheets.
College was difficult as I
battled the imposter syndrome,
had very little money and often
feeling out of place as I was
embarrassed to bring friends
home on break and could't afford
spring break vacations like most
of the other students.
Some of whom had Porches.
Since then I've learned to
overcome the shame associated
with my humble beginnings even
though I still live in fear that
one day someone will notice that
I'm not as smart or as capable
as I think I am.
So Law school taught and
prepared me for a lot of
unwritten rules in my career
such as judges expectations,
etiquette, dress and appearance,
and communication skills.
So when I started my career as a
law clerk and became a trial
attorney, I was much better
prepared than had been for
college.
My mentors and social networks
were not only important in
showing me how things worked,
but also pushed me to my full
potential and provided necessary
encouragement.
I had a boss who took me under
his wing and pushed me to take
up a lot of leadership roles.
He guided me, had faith in me,
recognized my capabilities, and
gave me more responsibilities
when he thought I was ready and
taught me to be an effective
supervisor.
Whether because of a knowledge
gap or feeling fear as F. G. P.
I still find it hard to self
advocate for myself in these
situations.
But it's important for FGPs to
remember, you are worthy, you
are capable, and you do have the
qualifications.
I hope this intiative will lead
to programs and workshops that
give other FGPs a similar
experience that I had in regards
to my support system.
Whether that be a mentor,
colleague that will help FGPs
navigate right off the bat and
enable them to fully leverage
the qualifications they bring as
well as the grit and tenacity
from overcoming obstacles and
challenges.
