Finding belonging as a first-generation professional at Bain
Finding belonging as a first-generation professional at Bain
An office services associate shares her journey as a first-generation student
Roxabel Pérez, an Office Services Associate in our Santiago office, has built her career on resilience and connection. In this Q&A, she reflects on her path as a first-generation professional and how Bain’s inclusive culture has helped her feel seen, supported, and inspired to thrive.
To anyone from a background like mine: trust your voice. Trust your resilience. You belong.
Roxabel
Office Services Associate
What was your early life like growing up?
People see me as bubbly, full of energy, always smiling. But behind that smile is a long journey of resilience and healing. I grew up in a hostile home, surrounded by domestic violence and financial hardship in northern Chile.
Neither of my parents had access to higher education. My father had a vocational degree, and my mom worked as a hairdresser after years as a stay-at-home mom. Despite everything, she always told me, “You’re not what happens to you. You are what you make with what happens to you.”
How did education become an important part of your journey?
From the seventh grade, I knew education was my way out. In Chile, the public and private school systems are starkly unequal where private schools offer better opportunities, but they’re expensive. So, I applied for scholarships early – first to access better schools, then to attend university. I earned a full scholarship and studied English pedagogy and translation. Teaching came as a surprise. I only enrolled because I loved English but the moment I stepped into a classroom, I discovered a passion I never expected.
I spent nearly a decade teaching, most recently in a preschool. But after a divorce, I decided to start over. I moved to Santiago with no corporate connections – just determination. That’s when Bain came into my life.
Sunny rappells down the rock face of Pigeon Spire in the Bugaboos, British Columbia.
Sunny skiis along the Yukon River, about six hundred miles into the one-thousand-mile journey to Nome.
What has your experience at Bain been like so far?
As an Office Services Associate at Bain, I make sure the office runs smoothly from the air conditioning to coffee and mobility benefits. I’m also a proud member of First at Bain and Pride at Bain. Being LGBTQ+ in Chile’s corporate world isn’t always easy, but Bain is different, it values who you are.
Outside of work, what helps you stay grounded and creative?
Art has been my anchor. I sing opera, Latin, and rock. These days, I sing in an LGBTQ choir, where we explore everything from classical to Cuban music to Chilean children’s songs arranged like fugues. I also draw and paint, and dance. These creative outlets have helped me heal, especially after being diagnosed with lupus at 25, a condition linked to early trauma.
What advice do you have for others with a similar background?
To anyone from a background like mine: trust your voice. Trust your resilience. You belong.
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