When Dulce Aguilar graduated from Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in 2020, she carried more than a diploma. She carried confidence, resilience, faith, and a deep sense of belonging. Today, those qualities are guiding her as she begins a new chapter in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Dulce recently launched her career in Human Resources Development through PNC Bank’s rotational HR program. The opportunity has been exciting, humbling, and stretching.
“Moving to a new city on my own and stepping into corporate spaces has pushed me out of my comfort zone more than I expected,” Dulce shares.
As she navigates professional spaces, she has experienced moments that remind her how far she has come.
“There are moments when I look around a room and realize I am the only Latina there. I would be lying if I said it didn’t sometimes feel strange. But in those moments, I remember exactly where I come from. I remember the confidence, professionalism, faith, and resilience that Cristo Rey instilled in me. I remember being taught that I belong in every room I step into, not by accident, but by preparation.”
That preparation did not end at graduation. While preparing for interviews and considering her move to Pittsburgh, CRSM helped connect her with professionals in the area who offered guidance and encouragement.
“This community does not just prepare you and send you off. It continues walking with you,” she says.
Now that she is building a new life in a new city, Dulce is especially grateful for the sense of community she experienced at Cristo Rey.
“Community was never just a word. It was something we lived daily. And now, I am intentionally trying to build that same sense of belonging here.”
Because of Cristo Rey, Dulce says she had the courage to take this leap and the confidence to walk into rooms where she may feel different. The foundation she received continues to shape how she shows up professionally and personally.
She hopes to one day return to campus to share her journey, especially with students who may be the only Hispanic person in the room and need the reminder that they absolutely belong there.