Rubi Hernandez Ochoa has always been passionate about creating and strengthening community, and wants to inspire others to take opportunities within their reach and explore new things.
University Communication and Marketing had a conversation with the advertising and public relations major from Harvard, Nebraska, about the impacts she's made through mentoring other students and her internship with the Hastings Museum.
What originally drew you to your major?
I realized advertising and public relations was right up my alley because being able to use my perspective and insight to draw attention to events or businesses sounded amazing to me. I've been creative my entire life, so incorporating my artistic talents only made it more exciting. Since high school, I've loved creating graphics, doing photography, writing, and creating art for events for my school.
As of right now, I hold the public relations position for the Mexican American Student Association here on campus. It's a blast being able to use social media to connect with those in the (Recognized Student Organization) and campus overall. In the public relations aspect, I enjoy creating connections with others and helping create a sense of community throughout my involvement at UNL.
In the future, I hope to incorporate my bilingual skills and do advertising and public relations for an agency or business whose mission I can align with. I hope that with my love for creating community, speaking Spanish and creativity, I can be an asset to my future workplace. Although I'm one person, I hope to make a big impact. I hope to be a voice for the Hispanic community with my experience, but also contribute the skills I am passionate about. Getting to travel or meet new people would be a dream for me in a future job.
Talk about your experience as a first-generation college student. Did that experience impact your wanting to mentor other Huskers through William H. Thompson?
Coming into college as a first-generation college student felt intimidating at first — but it became a community I could fall back on. As a student in the William H. Thompson community, I got to meet a group where the majority of students were first-gen. It felt comforting to know that they were experiencing similar obstacles. My parents and siblings have always been a great support system, and that gave me more confidence to continue excelling in college.
Through being first-gen, I learned to grab every opportunity I could. It's paid off amazingly. My experience as a first-gen student greatly influenced my decision to become a mentor for other Huskers. Having been in their shoes just a year prior, I knew that I'd love to mentor first-year scholars and support their academic transition. Transitioning from mentee to mentor has been extremely fulfilling, and it's clear that those in the WHT community are passionate about their students.
How has being a William H. Thompson Scholar impacted your college experience?
The group provides an amazing community on campus. When I first entered college, I felt much more confident knowing I had a mentor and support team to go to if I had any questions. Throughout the week, WHT held Study Cafe hours, and I got to connect with other students and do my homework at the same time. Our community engagement events and one-on-one meetings with mentors really let us know that we had a community to support us. I've made some amazing friends and coworkers through the WHT learning community, and I'm grateful to be a part of it.
Talk about your internship this summer with the Hastings Museum.
This summer, I interned for the Hastings Museum through the Rural Journalism Internship Program with the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. My internship was nothing short of amazing. I got to learn so much about advertising, public relations and marketing.
I coordinated the Museum's first-ever Spanish-language event. In the event, we showed a Spanish movie and provided Spanish tours of the museum. I was the tour guide! I also spoke with a Spanish radio station, Fiesta 94.5, and featured on Telemundo Nebraska. In the feature, I spoke about the Museum and what it was doing to widen accessibility for Spanish speakers. I translated materials such as their museum map and created a Spanish audio tour that can be used through QR codes by exhibits. Doing translations and working to widen accessibility to Spanish speakers was fulfilling and I'm extremely thankful the museum let me spread my wings and do a little bit of everything.
I also did all of their social media marketing for the summer and created graphics for them. I knew that the community was there, and I wanted to make sure they knew they were welcome at the museum. My internship strengthened my passion for creating and strengthening community.
Is there anything you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?
I hope to make a big impact with my experiences in the advertising and public relations industry. I know that wherever I choose to work, I'm going to make sure I never stop growing. I'd like to consider myself a self-starter, so if I could do it all at my career — public relations, social media, creating graphics, creating connections, be a leader — I would be happy.
Inclusivity is really important to me. I hope that I can help make those with experiences like mine feel seen and heard. In my lifetime, I hope to help others feel confident in pursuing any opportunity in their reach. It's a blessing to have those opportunities, so taking them is the least one can do.
What or who inspires you?
Having grown up in an immigrant household, I have seen the sacrifices that were made for me to be where I am. My family inspires me. I acknowledge the blessings in my reach and my family inspires me to grab them. Seeing my older siblings attend and graduate college as a child made going to college a no-brainer. My family's ambition and drive to seize new opportunities inspired me to do it myself. Their support has been a huge driving factor in why I want to learn and grow more every day.
What is your advice to other students looking to make an impact on campus?
If an opportunity is in your reach, take it. Fear of failure will only hold you back. To every student who is driven and looking to make an impact, remember that you are capable. It's never too late to grow and make things happen. Despite the nerves, accomplishing something you never thought possible is only going to make you more ready for the next big goal. You've got this. Keep pushing.
