Pandemic provides incoming Trojan with career path possibilities
The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed public health to the forefront. For Nelson Henriquez Jr., who begins his biological sciences major at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences this week, it also has provided a preview of the possibilities of his desired career path.
As a graduate of the USC Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI) this past spring, Henriquez believes he has been given an opportunity: “I want to do something in medicine, specifically public health.”
Henriquez, who will be the first in his family to attend college, had plenty of support from his parents. While father Nelson Henriquez Sr. provided for the family financially, mother Irma Henriquez made sure to seek out every opportunity to help her children succeed academically.
That began by putting Henriquez in the first-ever Mandarin language program at City Terrace Elementary School. “I wanted to give him every opportunity to learn and grow,” Irma Henriquez said.
Henriquez credits his parents and the program with helping him navigate all kinds of obstacles.
Nelson Henriquez Jr., left, credits his family with providing the work ethic to get through the program. His sister, Sophia, is following in his footsteps.
“My parents’ support was super important — I would not be here and going to USC if it wasn’t for their constant support,” Henriquez said. “USC NAI helped me a lot with academic and personal support. The support helped me get through some tough stretches.”
Years of hard work pay off
Irma Henriquez doesn’t lose sight of the hard work it took for her son to complete his seven-year journey. “He has the opportunity of getting a scholarship, tuition free. For us it’s a miracle, a dream come true,” she said. “This is because of the hard work he did. It was not given to him for free. He earned it since middle school.”
Henriquez’s work ethic and his passion for music — he plays keyboard in his dad’s Latin band — led him to a part-time job at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on the guest services team, even though his parents wanted him to focus on his studies.
“My junior year was the hardest because I was juggling the job at the music center, I was working late and then I had my AP classes, volleyball, on top of USC NAI on weekends,” Henriquez said. “It was pretty tiring, but I didn’t mind it. I like to keep myself busy.”