As part of its Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 programming, the Institute for Latino Studies along with the Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame, and the Meruelo Family Center for Career Development presented a panel discussion on the “Journeys of Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame.” Join us for an engaging discussion representing a range of disciplines and experiences featuring Lukas Mendoza ‘08, Manuel Davila ‘06, Nicholas Maalouf ‘04, April Garcia ‘05, ‘07 M.Ed., ‘13 MA, Crystal Medina ‘03, and Ruben de Jesús Medina ‘05, moderated by Gregor Arimany ‘04, with an introduction by Dr. Carlos Gomez-Meade ‘01, chair of the Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame National Board.
To explore more from the series Caminos: Stories of Hispanic Alumni, please click here.
To read the recap of the event “Journeys of Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame: Hispanic Alumni Share Lessons on Their Path to Success” by Emily Rodriguez Hernandez, please visit the Institute for Latino Studies website.
How should a professional view academic or career failure?It must be “reframed” from a subjective disaster into an objective opportunity for redirection. Ruben de Jesús Medina ‘05 argues that reframing is the essential tool for navigating a “VUCA” world (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity). By removing the emotion from a crisis, a professional can objectively evaluate new openings that failure has created.
What is the defining characteristic of the current global market?As Gregor Arimany ‘04 noted, we operate in a VUCA environment where the destination Point B is constantly shifting. Success in this landscape requires the agility to change industries or roles without compromising one’s core values or sense of service.
Is AI a threat to the future workforce?AI is unlikely to eliminate jobs entirely, but it will dismantle traditional ways of working. Ruben de Jesús Medina ‘05 posits that AI acts as an accelerant for antiquated industries. Professionals should learn languages like Python not to become coders, but to understand how to apply technology to speed up stagnant processes.
Why is networking considered a superpower in the professional world?Networking is the architecture of trust required for investment and career pivots. For example, when Ruben needed a head of AI, he leveraged the Notre Dame network to find an alumnus in Peru; when he needed hospital contacts in Panama, he found them through another graduate’s family. These connections function because of a shared identity that transcends a resume.
How can a professional differentiate themselves in a high-tech environment?Through genuine, face-to-face human connection. Lukas Mendoza ‘08 and Crystal Medina ‘03 emphasized that while technology is convenient, it cannot replace the trust built through personal interaction. Distinguishing yourself from AI requires empathy, the ability to brief leaders effectively, and a commitment to never seeing a foundational task as beneath you.
“I think our dean is really stressing to our students that real connection doesn’t really happen through technology; it doesn’t really happen through your phones. Having those conversations face-to-face is important to create those meaningful connections.” – Lukas Mendoza ‘08
“Failure wasn’t an option because of what the other option was, which would have been very, very tough. I had no choice but to persevere and kind of break through the barrier and succeed, keeping track of the goal to have a better life.” – Manuel Davila ‘06
“God has a plan for everyone and it’s not our plan, but it’s the best plan for us. It was a roller coaster, from having everything set up to starting basically from zero, and it’s been stressful sometimes, but fun.” – Nicholas Maalouf ‘04
“I’m a warm demander; I will not lower the bar, but you can bet that I will work really hard to make sure every student gets there. That approach was shaped by my own really hard experiences at Notre Dame where I felt like I was on the wrong path.” – April Garcia ‘05, ‘07 M.Ed., ‘13 MA
“Never turn down an assignment that you may think is beneath you because it’s not. Whether it is putting a binder together with the right tabs or following a specific order, that grunt work teaches you how to do things the right way so you can eventually impart those skills as a manager.” – Crystal Medina ‘03
“Networking is a superpower and all of you need to learn to do that, the sooner, the better. The Notre Dame degree will open the door, but you still have to walk through it yourself.” – Ruben de Jesús Medina ‘05
“Keep in mind that the journey from point A to point B is not usually a straight line. Challenges come up, plans change, and sometimes even the definition of point B changes.” – Gregor Arimany ‘04
“Aim as high as possible—I want to be a CEO, a doctor, or reshape the government—and don’t be afraid. No matter what, remember that the harder a goal is, the more worthy it is to fight for.” – Dr. Carlos Gomez-Meade ‘01
