Being the youngest in the family, Aurora "Au" Enriquez, felt she received so much attention when she was growing up that she decided to take up a college course that would prepare her for a caring profession.
Au considered becoming a nurse, but eventually, found herself at the University of the Philippines - Diliman taking up B. S. in Social Work. Her course opened her eyes to social realities— the poor, the oppressed and the disadvantaged—which further deepened her resolve to be in community service.
At UP she met her best friend and eventual husband, Victor, who would eventually change the course of Au’s life. He left for New York to finish his college studies, while Au stayed at UP.
Upon graduation, Au worked with the Philippine Red Cross, where she encountered children with special needs. These children were abused in their homes. They had to be taken out of their conditions and brought to Department of Social Work and Development and to some non- government centers. At that time, the temporary homes did not offer any alternative education for those children. Such sad realities inspired Au to design and implement new alternatives to regular schooling. She enrolled in UP’s Master’s Degree Program in Special Education with focus on Behavioral Disorder. While she was working at the Philippine Red Cross and while pursuing her master studies, she was nurturing a long-distance relationship with Vic—who later on offered her marriage. Au followed her heart, she accepted Vic’s proposal.
In 2002, when Au boarded the plane that would take her to the US, she had mixed emotions. She was excited to be with Vic yet she was sad that she would leave her home country. Au consoled herself with the thought that given her local teaching license, she could keep the door open to the Philippines for her to continue in the future her work with disadvantaged children.
Today, Au is a Special Education teacher in New Jersey, where she helps high school students with cognitive impairments. She and Vic now have four children, whose smiles remind her of the youth on the other side of the Pacific, still waiting for her return someday.
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| Au Enriquez, with her husband and four children. |
Au’s pointers for new college graduates:
• Learn to listen. One of my favorite pieces is Desiderata, from which I find a line resonates in me:
“Listen to the dull and the ignorant. They too have their story.”
Take this to heart. In any type of work and in any setting, you will meet different types of people: who have different sets of values, beliefs, history and cultural backgrounds. Do not be quick to dismiss their personal narratives and life stories. There is much to be learned from other people, especially the ones who have no tolerance of human differences. Remember, you may one day find that you have turned into the exact person you vowed never to become. Close- minded people were once open minded- but became set in their ways.
• Seek out experience. Find out what you are truly passionate about and try to get as much experience in that field as possible.
• Establish a good work ethics. Early in your career, regardless of any industry, come to work on time and finish projects before due dates. This will establish you as a hard worker that is dependable and professional.
Read more about Au's pieces of advice for those aspiring to have a career in Education.
"Pointers for New College Graduates" by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at Fully Booked, St. Pauls and Paulines Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.
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