Q&A: Flor Gonzalez
Flor Gonzalez, biology major and student associate in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership, is one of the women featured as part of The Signal’s #HawkHerStory coverage, celebrating Women’s History Month. This special coverage focuses on the stories and perspectives of the various women within the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) community.
Read The Signal’s Q&A with Gonzalez below and see the other Q&As conducted with students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni here.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, on both a personal and professional/educational level?
A: Hello! My name is Flor Gonzalez and I am currently an undergraduate at UHCL pursuing my BS in Biology with a Pre-Health/Physiology Specialization. I would love to work in forensics, specifically becoming a medical examiner.
I am currently a Student Associate in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership, and I specifically work as a peer advisor for the Hawk Leadership Institute.
I was born in Mexico but moved to Texas when I was 3.5 years old. I am the oldest of four, and I will be a first-generation college graduate. I love watching movies (Fun fact: I once watched 52+ movies in one year). I also enjoy going to concerts and supporting the arts. I love going out, traveling and trying new things, whether it be food or a new experience, but I also like to stay in bed and play video games or watch Netflix.
Q: What are three things you can’t live without?
A: Three things I can’t live without would be: my car, concerts, and spending time with my loved ones.
Q: Are there any female role models today you wish you had growing up?
A: Growing up I was always surrounded by loving, powerful women. My mother is a single parent of four. She owns and manages her own business, makes sure we are taken care of, and loves us unconditionally. My grandmother has instilled patience, love, humility, and understanding in us. They both raised, guided, and supported my siblings and I through very difficult times. They are the most strong, hardworking women I know, and I will be eternally grateful for all the sacrifices they have made for me. As I was growing up, I have looked up to different women in different periods of my life. I believe they all played a significant role in that specific moment in time, and I wouldn’t want to change that.
Q: What are some problems you anticipate/have encountered as a woman in your field?
A: Being an immigrant Latinx woman in STEM, I anticipate having to work harder for recognition, attention, promotions, and respect that men so easily get. I expect peers to overlook my work and question my abilities and my knowledge. I also expect the typical, everyday sexism.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
A: The best piece of advice I was given would be “It’s okay to say no.” People will constantly ask you to do things for them, or if you are interested in taking on big projects. I used to always say yes to anything someone asked me to do or offered me. I soon became overwhelmed, and I started to neglect my mental health and priorities such as school. I was constantly worried about disappointing others, that I forgot to take care of myself. You and your mental health should always be your number one priority!
Q: Is there anything you would like our readers to know?
A: We all need to be aware of our identities and their intersectionality. We need to look for ways to be an ally and to empower those less privileged than we are. Thanks for taking time to read this!
