Kelly Ortiz

Welcome back to Stories of Chicago! This month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kelly Ortiz, a Year Up intern working at the tech lounge, commonly known for hardware and system IT support. Kelly discusses her journey in securing an internship at LinkedIn, her passion for environmental advocacy, and her experiences as a woman and Latina in a male-dominated industry.

What event has been so impactful that it changed the trajectory of your life??

Joining Year Up and landing an internship at LinkedIn has been a significant event shaping my life. Despite considering myself an organized person who plans, with aspirations beyond my current role at the tech lounge, I felt lost in college. Uncertain about my career, I found myself lacking motivation and decided to take a break, realizing I had been rushed into it. ?

Looking back, the requirement to apply to at least 10 colleges in my junior year of high school added to my rushed decision, influencing my choice to attend college sooner despite feeling unprepared.?

During my break from school, I aimed to gain work experience and discovered Year Up through a family member, choosing IT for its positive reputation. Despite feeling inexperienced in tech, my exposure to various technical software and applications, especially during middle school in a tech-focused environment, had been extensive and enjoyable.?

Attending a tech school allowed me to learn through video games like Portal and Minecraft, engaging in fun activities such as visualizing molecules in Minecraft blocks. Even though I can't recall all the details, a peculiar learning game in my LABS class, involving alien-looking controllers and a projected game on a white mat, further sparked my interest in tech. It's interesting how my journey has unfolded, considering I never pictured myself in IT.?

I'm curious about your aspirations. Initially, where did you see yourself, and now, four months into the internship, where do you envision your future? Is it still aligned with your Year Up initial plans of a career in IT, or has something else caught your interest???

Yeah, it's still something I'm into. I've got plans to pursue a career in IT. In high school however, my interests were split. There was so much I wanted to do. I mean, back in middle school, I was thinking I'd be a veterinarian. It sounds cliché, but I feel like everyone at that age wants that.?

Fast forward to high school, my thoughts shifted to science-related gigs. I was torn between being a forensic scientist or a marine biologist. Yeah, different paths. My major was biochemistry and sadly, my criminology class quickly shot down the CSI idea. It turned out to be all about statistics, and I couldn't find anything interesting in that. So, marine biology it was – saving the oceans and fighting pollution! It's a cause I genuinely care about, and I wanted to make an impact. But here's the kicker – I had no clue about the variety of jobs in that field.?

The high school counselors were not much help either. They were more concerned about their college application quotas than guiding us to the right classes or schools. Besides that, I’ve always planned on being a writer way in the future. I plan to publish books someday, but let's be real – writing is no walk in the park. I mean, you understand, juggling articles in your busy schedule. It's intense even for one article a month. But that's where I'm at right now, balancing my passion for the environment and becoming a writer, even if that's way down the road.

Regarding high school students forced into a college decision, it's a tough, lifelong choice. Personally, though not forced by my school, my mom insisted on college. Looking back, I'd have given myself more time. It's a complex decision leading to financial burden especially from where we come from. Some alternatives or resources for those unable or needing a break would be valuable. What are your thoughts??

I find it irresponsible for schools to pressure students into blindly applying to numerous colleges, prioritizing staff quotas over providing essential resources and cost transparency. Even if not initially considered, college trips?create a misleading excitement. In my school, GPA requirements for these trips suggested a preference for 'serious' students.?

I went twice, getting excited about new spaces and independence, but it felt forced, lacking discussions on studying, tuition, and practicalities. This approach seemed reckless, especially for those unsure of their path and facing financial constraints. While they assisted with FAFSA forms, guidance on scholarships was limited.?

There's this phrase I've seen online about how at 18, they expect us to make this big life decision when just a few months ago, we had to ask to go to the bathroom. It's frustrating – they treat us like kids and adults at the same time. At that age we should be receiving alternative resources like trade school or community college.?

Although my mom preferred me to attend college, she didn't pressure me. Financial concerns influenced my decision to leave. Without clarity on my goals and lacking motivation, I didn't want to waste money. Early care and guidance for students are crucial, sadly lacking in my experience.?

I strongly support free public education for undergraduates. Grad school or professional degrees could involve payment, but making undergrad free would allow more exploration without financial pressure and room for major changes. Transitioning from high school to college is a significant jump, and more resources and transparency on tuition costs would ease the challenges young people face. Regarding your earlier aspirations, do you see your purpose in life as helping the environment?

Absolutely, it's still a cause that resonates deeply with me. During the COVID pandemic, there was a lot of talk about how, with fewer people going out, the environment was starting to heal itself. You could see the differences – like in Venice, where the water became remarkably clear because people weren’t littering.?

I vaguely remember the Green New Deal being a policy at some point. I don't know all the nitty-gritty details, but I recall a lot of pushback from both people and our government, questioning whether we had the money for it or not. It's infuriating when you look at the big environmental disasters over the years, with the skies becoming red, and people just brushed it aside.?

Honestly, it makes me more sad than mad. I've always had this deep love and appreciation for nature, and it's disheartening that the government and politicians don't seem to share that sentiment at all. The signs have been there, but it feels like they've been ignored for far too long?

I often reflect on the prioritization of non-essential spending over crucial needs like healthcare, free public education, and climate change. It's frustrating, especially when politicians prioritize personal agendas driven by money in politics. As a millennial, I've witnessed the impact, and it's disheartening to see the decline caused by dismantled policies. I empathize with my generation and even more so with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, facing escalating costs for necessities.

I wanted to touch on what you mentioned earlier about wanting public education to be free. I completely resonate with that because even if you're not thinking of it as a career, I've always had this desire to explore other classes that have nothing to do with my major. The reality is, I can't afford to do that. I must narrow my focus, and even though I'm eager to learn about different things, it's just not feasible.?

Especially in our country, I feel like we're falling behind in education compared to other nations. We tend to focus on memorization to get good grades, just to pass rather than truly learning and absorbing the information. It's not ideal in the long run, and it really holds us back.?

I appreciate this conversation, as our values and morals align. Originally, I aimed to be a forensic pathologist in college but realized biology wasn't my fit. Being a visual learner, I struggled with memorization-heavy classes, but excelled in chemistry and math due to their formulaic nature.?

Now, onto my last two questions. Firstly, what's it like working as a woman, especially as a Latina, in the IT field? Is your identity important, and how do you leverage it in a male-dominated industry???

Yeah, it's something I'm aware of every day – being a woman and Mexican. When I joined Year Up, the significant majority of men was noticeable, not surprising, though.?

While I knew sexism is not uncommon, I sometimes forget it’s going to happen to me on occasion. For example, some men in my class made comments that were considered microaggressions. I have thick skin, so it didn’t bother me. What gave me the ick was the fact that they were comfortable enough, thinking because we were on friendly terms, it meant they could disrespect me. I simply ignored the comments, focused on my work, aimed for my internship, and planned to excel in my career. It’s all you can do besides speaking up if the comments become extreme.??

Women and men are equal, that much is true but the way we think is very different which is why all fields should ideally have a balance of all genders. Many don’t consider this because there’s a misconception that women are emotional beings who can’t make tough decisions. But if you look back at world history, it’s not women who started wars. We handle emotions differently, better even. And as the eldest daughter, we often carry a lot of responsibility, physically and emotionally. It’s frustrating because we grow up maturing quicker, expecting to be treated like we know what we’re talking about, but we aren’t.?

It's understandable that some men might not see what they're doing, but it’s ridiculous that we have to teach them. Ideally, they should have learned this from their parents or at some point in their life; they should have figured out how to treat everyone with respect.?

To conclude, what advice would you offer to someone in a similar position??

I guess, in general, my piece of advice would be not to let time pass you by. Also, don't force yourself into anything unless you have a plan, however detailed it may be – whether it's a few dotted lines or a step-by-step daily schedule. A plan is better than none. Make sure you're skilled at something you want to do, not just what you think you should study. It's about being willing to put in the work, ensuring you won't hate it and give up halfway through. I learned that the hard way.?

Take the time to consider both time and money for all the significant steps in life. It's good to take risks, but it's also crucial to weigh certain aspects beforehand. Overall, your 20s are meant for making mistakes and growth. Enjoy them while you have fewer responsibilities, but also make the most of them. Do not just let them slip away.?