Some Americans don’t realize that the dream can be theirs.
A few years ago, after I shared my life and career story at an annual American Association of University Women Career Conference, a Hispanic student came to me and said, “Thank you for encouraging me to see that the world needs more women like me in a profession in which I can be successful and be able to spend time with my family.”
In that moment, I came face-to-face with the biggest hidden obstacle for young women who suddenly realize that there are opportunities far beyond what they see in their daily lives.
The presumption of the “American Dream” is that achieving it only takes some hard work and ambition.
It’s not that easy. I’m living proof.
My family came to this country as refugees from war-torn Cambodia with little education, fluency in the language or financial resources. Today, I am a home and business owner with savings, no consumer debt and free time to spend with my loved ones. I’m building a financial advisory practice with business partners I respect and trust.
But I had my “aha!” moment in that noisy auditorium, talking with that young woman as others gathered their things and streamed past us to the next conference session.
In that moment, I realized that it’s not a lack of effort or resources that prevent some from achieving the American dream, but rather a false perception that having the dream is simply not possible for them. Why would these young women, all first in their families to pursue college, think that the dream can be theirs?
I was there to share about the purposeful life I’ve built helping others, while showing these students how I was able to financially support a family and have flexibility in my work schedule to raise my daughter as a single mother.
The details show how the dream plays out every day. I schedule my workday around drop-off and pick-up times, school performances and while my daughter sleeps. Why not trade off leaving at 3:00 p.m. to attend a school performance for answering emails after you’ve put the children to bed?
In the face of that young woman who shared her new perspective on a career in finance, I saw that achieving the American dream is about more than the resources that may or may not be available to make it happen. For them, it’s about connecting with those who are just a little older, just a little further along in life, who have a bit more career experience, who can share what that dream looks like and that it’s possible for them, too.
For me, this echoed the truth that representation, does indeed, matter.
I share the background and traits of so many struggling communities — as an immigrant, woman, single mother, child of parents with little education and few financial resources. However, one of the biggest hurdles I faced was overcoming my own fears about whether I could achieve the success I saw others attain who didn’t look like me or share my background.
This has been the driver for me to educate, support, and encourage more underrepresented communities to consider this career option. It is imperative that we not let women miss out on a profession that can provide purpose, financial stability and scheduling flexibility to be present for their families. This is how we build generational wealth — by not only paving a path for financial stability, but a path toward a balanced life — where emotional well-being enables us to show up for our families and communities in the most positive way possible. I believe that is the American dream.
Ask yourself: Have you achieved the American dream only for yourself, or helped others to achieve it as well?
Sathya Chey Patterson is managing partner of Arise Private Wealth.
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