Story by Mady Neal
Photography by Laura Dudones
There was a momentary silence and all eyes darted uncomfortably to Dania Puente’s face. Puente was uncomfortable but not necessarily surprised. She often heard similar variations of the phrase just uttered by a fellow RedHawk: That Mexicans were uneducated drug dealers who were taking American jobs. The other three study buddies shifted uncomfortably and the silence seemed to stretch longer as each waited for what Puente would say.
There was no way to take back the ignorant microaggression hurled Puente’s way, but Puente decided it was better to let this one slide. Afterall, it was more important to study for her exam (and thereby prove she was anything but uneducated) than correct what at times seemed to be insurmountable stereotypes. Unfortunately, as a Mexican woman, comments about her background and the awkward justifications that follow are something that she has gotten used to after moving to the Midwestern United States. But now, as a college senior, she knows how to handle these situations.
“I’ve had different and more diverse opportunities than a lot of people. And so I will always face ignorance but the only way to fix that is to teach,” Puente says. “If you don’t tell people when they are saying something wrong, they’ll just keep saying it all their lives.” Puente explained that it is also important to be kind and compassionate toward these people, who probably don’t mean to be insensitive but don’t necessarily know any better.
Communication of all kinds is at the forefront of Puente’s life. As a strategic communications major who will begin working with JP Morgan next fall,she has learned a lot about dealing with people.
“Strategic communication is a combination of public relations and learning how to communicate in and of itself. [This major] prepared me in a different way for my job,” Puente says. “I think socially, and I’m not only focused on profits and revenue, I’m focused on making clients happy, which naturally leads to higher revenue."
In addition to her major, which Puente describes as a hybrid that focuses on creativity, business, and community, Puente credits her transfer to Miami in 2017 as playing a big part in her success.
“I went to Michigan State University before, and it was so big; my classes could be anywhere from 100-400 students. I fell in love with Miami after visiting and loved the personalized learning experience here,” Puente says.
The hands-on professors and small, tailored classes provided a basis for her well-rounded resume that eventually caught the interest of corporate giant JP Morgan. Puente is an advocate for anyone who wants to pursue acareer like hers.
“Many people are still surprised to meet a young, Mexican woman in a professional position but JP Morgan is working a lot to emphasize diversity. That said, I still feel the surprise when people realize I’m not American,” Puente says.
Surprisingly, she encounters a lot of people who begin long conversations about where she is really from.
“Many people almost don’t want to believe that I’m from Mexico. People assume I’m from the US and then when I tell them I’m not, they immediately suggest that I must have lived here since I was a child because my accent isn’t very strong.” Puente says.
It is almost as if the strangers she meets attempt to justify her identity in ways that they are comfortable with, in ways that are familiar. But she has learned to develop a thick skin.
According to Puente, regardless of one’s background, anyone can succeed with motivation and hard-work.
“Definitely go to career and success services, and talk to anyone you know who has a job and who has gonethrough what you’re going through. Work hard and pay attention to detail, and apply to as many places as you can,” Puente says.
Dania Puente is living proof that despite many stereotypes that dominate American society today, there is still hope that one can succeed. At first glance, Puente may appear to be an underdog; as a woman of color who only moved to America as a senior in highschool and will not have a business degree when she graduates in May 2020, she has experienced many culture shocks and several critiques along the way. But ultimately, Puente is poised to climb the corporate ladder and demonstrate that what should ultimately matter is how you do the work.
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