Q&A: Erica Solis
Social Work major Erica Solis is one of ten featured on The Signal’s 10 Most Fascinating People of UHCL of 2018 list. Read The Signal’s Q&A with Solis below and see the complete list here.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, on both a personal and professional/educational level?
A: I am a native Houstonian (and proud), a mother of three, and a wife to my Veteran best friend of 22 years! I love education, people, learning about different cultures, and social justice issues. I’m passionate about working with ‘at-promise youth’ and teaching teens and young adults about leadership and what it means to “find your voice.”
I’m currently the student-representative for LLAS (Latinx Latin-American Studies Program) here at UHCL, and the Public Relations Officer for H.A.C.E.R. student organization here at UHCL as well. Professionally, I currently work for 24 Hour Fitness where I have been a Group-X fitness Instructor for over seven years. I love this role because I can teach individuals not just the class, but more importantly the importance and power of ‘believing in yourself.’ I can also help change mindsets or break stereotypes of what fitness looks like…don’t judge a book by its cover! For me lifting weights and physical fitness are very, very similar to life and education….mental toughness!
Q: Why did you decide to pursue a degree in social work?
A: I honestly never knew anything about social work. I originally transferred to UHCL with my Associates in Teaching. My major was Literature/Education because I wanted to be a high school English teacher. However, mid-way through I felt like something was just not right deep within my heart. I knew I had to switch my major. That’s when I met Dr. Stephen “Arch” Erich, and with his mentoring along with others here on campus, I found social work. It was really crazy because I had honestly been a social worker starting when I was a teenager, and just didn’t know it. I remember at 13 writing poetry about changing stereotypes and racism (still have those poems too). I found social work by accident and it just felt like home, and it has changed my life. With my Bachelor’s in social work, I plan to continue my education and transfer to the Graduate College of social work at the University of Houston-Central campus and earn my Master’s.
Q: What do I plan to do with your degree?
A: I don’t have a definite answer. I know that I want to make a difference in the world. I dream of helping those individuals and communities whose voices never get heard or often times get overlooked. They are what drive me because I am one of them.
Q: Earlier this year you organized two gun reform rallies on campus. What motivated you to put these events together?
A: Phewww, those were something. What motivated me to put those events together was literally compassion. I remember hurting so bad for those parents in Parkland who would not be able to EVER physically hug their sons or daughters ever again, not just at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, at Pulse, and just all of them really…it had grew too strong inside me. I KNEW that I had to do something. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t at least try. I remember sitting on my sofa sobbing and thinking if I didn’t do anything then that made me a hypocrite, and I couldn’t live with that. I didn’t care how much work went into it, I didn’t care about assignments, I didn’t care about time or cost. I just lost all sight of fear, or any of that. I knew it would all work out. I just wanted to make a small difference that bad.
Q: When you look back on 2018, what are some moments that stick out to you as achievements or challenges? How have those moments impacted you?
A: This may sound silly but I really have a hard time seeing the achievements. For example, it literally baffles me that I was even selected as someone who is “fascinating!” Honestly, #ENOUGH A Call For Change was big. I didn’t realize how big it really was and meant until months afterward. I sat back and remember thinking one day like, “wow…..did that just really happen? Did I really just orchestrate that? Is that how grassroots movements start and work? Like if one person can start that, can you imagine the power and mobility if more came together!”
It really was such an educational experience for me as well as a testament to the power of human strength and determination. I also think being selected as a student representative for LLAS was an achievement for me. To be the voice or offer the “student perspective” for the minor program was big for me. Not only was I being pushed out of my comfort zone, but I was able to help my campus, professors, and most importantly the students. Both of these moments taught me how to be vulnerable, to seek help and support from others, and that you don’t need fancy titles or degrees to actually make a difference in the lives of others.
As for challenges, 2018 has taught me that there are a lot of things that are out of my control and that it doesn’t reflect me. That there are a lot of political things that go on not just in our government, and in our districts and our cities, but at University levels as well. To foster a “ya win some, ya lose some” attitude because it really is in those defeats that you learn so much about yourself, and about systems. At the end of the day I will leave here, and it is in these lessons (at this level) that will teach me how to fight a little better out in the communities in which I serve. It will help me dismantle the systems that don’t always have my best interest at heart.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given or would give?
A: To trust your gut, and have the courage to trust yourself. That has been huge for me. Once you learn that you (as you are) are enough, and your life experiences and knowledge has merit and weight, then it really is uphill from there. The challenge is to believe it and not needing validation or others to see it and point it out.
Q: Is there anything you would like our readers to know?
A: I would like our readers to know not to be motivated in your educational journey by “cords” around your neck or accolades. People can smell inauthenticity a mile away. Work from a place of passion and character. To let your passions drive you, let that be your motivating force here at the University level, and in family, relationships, and life.
Also published on Medium.