Hector Mujica
Google.org
San Diego, CA USA
"Continue to be bold and continue to be curious in your journey."
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Hector's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Business, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
I went back to school for my master's degree because I listened to that bug in your ear that society won't value you as greatly if you don't have one. I've come to realize that that's not inherently true. I do think that formal education is very valuable and is the right pathway for many people. But that doesn't mean that it's the only pathway. We need to find an equilibrium and provide other pathways for people to find meaning, mobility, and substance in life.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
International Business
Florida International University - School of Business
Certification
Social Entrepreneurship
Stanford University Graduate School of Business
Graduate Degree
Public Policy Analysis
University of California, Berkeley
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I’m originally from Venezuela—my family immigrated to the U.S. when I was very young.
2.
In high school, I thought I was going to become an architect—I went to a technical school where I studied architectural drafting but I came to realize that it just wasn’t my passion.
3.
In college, I discovered an interest in politics and studied international business, interned for a member of Congress, and did a fellowship with the U.S. Department of State.
4.
I ended up stumbling into tech when an opportunity opened up at Google.
5.
I started at Google in a business function role but felt like that wasn’t the right fit for me, so I started trying to figure out where else I could go in the company—that led me to social impact.
6.
I spent some time doing social impact work at Google and then decided to go back to school for public policy.
7.
I thought I was going to pivot out of Google and into public service, but decided to go back to Google because I was excited about their goals to open up more equitable economic pathways into tech.
8.
I’m currently serving as head of economic opportunity for the Americas at Google.org.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
If you don't have a master's degree, you're not as valuable or meaningful.
How I responded:
I went back to school for my master's degree because I listened to that bug in your ear that society won't value you as greatly if you don't have one. I've come to realize that that's not inherently true. I do think that formal education is very valuable and is the right pathway for many people. But that doesn't mean that it's the only pathway. We need to find an equilibrium and provide other pathways for people to find meaning, mobility, and substance in life.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
My family and I immigrated to the U.S. when I was very young. Watching my parents adapt to a new culture, succeed in their own lives, and help others has been a huge inspiration for my own journey.