Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions and accomplishments of Department of Commerce employees in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15—October 15).

Guest blog post by Jennifer Pineda, Budget Analyst, Office of Budget, Office of the Secretary

I was born in New York, but I moved to Pereira, Colombia at the age of three. Colombia is an extraordinary country located in Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea. Colombia is enriched through its agricultural opportunities and natural resources. Being raised in Colombia has shaped me into the woman I am today possessing strong core values, a strong work ethic and a strong belief in the importance of education. Upon completion of high school, I returned to the United States where I started my federal career and completed college.

I proudly started my devoted career in the federal government in 2002 in New York with the Army National Guard. Upon completing my undergraduate degree in economics with a minor in accounting from Queens College, NY in 2011, I had the pleasure to join the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Department of the Treasury. I served as a budget analyst until 2017, where I learned the fundamentals of and value of federal stewardship. In 2017, I continued my role as a budget analyst and joined the Department of Commerce’s Office of the Budget within the Office of the Secretary. This job has given me the opportunity to be a part of an amazing and diverse team of budget analysts. In my role, I am responsible for managing the portfolio for one of the diverse agencies within the Commerce Department—the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA).

In addition to my time with the Commerce Department, I am still a part of the Army National Guard. Serving in the military for the past 16 years, has allowed me to get to know people from different parts of the world. Historically, the military is about being a leader in opportunities for diverse people with different backgrounds and heritage.

After spending so many years away from Colombia, I am thankful for what my parents taught me. They have been my inspiration and taught me to learn from my mistakes and to always have a back-up plan. As I child, I remember seeing my parents working late to provide for me and my sister. Now, my parents can proudly say that they have raised two professional women.

Hispanic Heritage month gives us all the opportunity to appreciate at greater detail the meaning of caring for others and working hard to achieve your goals. Every new day has a new teachable moment. Every minute that passes is an opportunity wasted. As Latinos, we need to be proud of everything we have accomplished and excited for the things we have yet to achieve.