Spot Light on Local Latinos
Carlos Roldan
Name : Carlos Roldan What is your Profession ? Phlebotomist Your Pais : Colombia
Hometown : Cali
Latin Times : How did you get started in your career ? Carlos : After going through years of immigration red tape , I really wanted a career to further myself for my family . I took some classes and got certified and was lucky enough to find a job in my career path very quickly as an intern first , then grew to run the office within 2 years .
Latin Times : What do you enjoy most about you what you do ? Carlos : The people . I love just interacting with people . I make them laugh in an environment that most find scary ( getting their blood drawn ).
Latin Times : Please tell us about your biggest obstacles , and how you have overcome them . Carlos : Getting my green card 5 years ago after being here since I was a child . That was a big one . I grew from that experience though and it gave me focus to get me where I am today .
Latin Times : What type of people can you help with the services you offer in your job ? Carlos : Anyone really . Most of the people that come to me do not have insurance or have high insurance copays or some don ’ t want certain tests on their insurance . We get children testing for allergies all the way to senior citizens testing their arthritis or glucose levels .
Latin Times : What is your favorite Latin Dish ? Carlos : That ’ s a tough one . I love peruvian ceviche , but being Colombian , I have to have bandeja paisa and sancocho .
Latin Times : Tell us about your family Carlos : My mother and brother are here with me in Tampa . They are my lifeline . I am also now lucky enough to have the most incredible son imaginable . He is my heart .
Latin Times : Who is a hero / role model that you admire ( Living or deceased ) and why do you admire them ? Carlos : Stephen Hawkins . I could sit and watch , read or listen to his ideas on the universe and life every day . I admire him for not just accepting what he ’ s told , but pushing the limits and deciding for himself to investigate what most are afraid to question .
Patricia gomez
Name : Patricia Gomez What is your Profession ? Attorney at Law Your Pais : Colombia Hometown : Barranquilla
Latin Times : How did you get started in your career ? Patricia : As a 16 year-old high school graduate , in Colombia , I had to decide what career to pursue . I really wanted to become an artist but this was not an option . Thus , I opted for law school not really knowing what I was getting into . Luckily , I truly enjoyed studying and then practicing law . Upon relocating to Tampa I had to make a career choice once more . This time , however , I went back to school and became a US lawyer without thinking about it twice .
Latin Times : Please tell us about your biggest obstacles , and how you have overcome them . Patricia :. As an immigrant I quickly learned that I had to reinvent myself in the U . S . Back home I was a “ doctora ” while here my Colombian law degree was useless . At the age of 40 , with English as a second language and young children at home , going back to law school was a daunting idea . However , with my kids and husband ’ s support I was able to do it . I encourage all foreign lawyers to do the same . Studying hard paid off . I graduated with honors from Stetson College of Law and passed the Florida Bar on the first try . I got my professional life back !
Latin Times : Tell us about your family Patricia : When we got married , my husband of 15 years , Mark , had 4 children . I had 2 . Our house is like an accordion that can stretch to fit them all and shrink back when the two of us are alone . Right now we have 4 living out of state , one back with us temporarily between schools , and the youngest still in high school . With these many kids there ’ s a lot of cooking and cleaning and life is never boring . I love it !
Latin Times : Who is a hero / role model that you admire ( Living or deceased ) and why do you admire them ? Patricia : My parents , both deceased , continue to inspire me because of the coherence with which they lived their lives . They were not perfect but they had clear values and were true to them . They were loving and respectful to everybody . They were unpretentious , grateful people , with big hearts . They taught by their actions and not just their words . The older I get the more I value the wonderful example they gave us and hope that I may also live a fruitful life and give back to others as much as they did .