We were lucky to catch up with Eric Rosas recently and have shared our conversation below.
Eric, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I believe my work ethic comes from being born with a birth defect named Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a condition that affects a child at birth in which a developing baby’s spinal cord fails to develop properly. Also, being a First Generation Mexican-American, seeing my parents come to the United States with nothing and working hard so that I can have a better future, all this has fueled me to be the hardest worker in the room.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Eric Rosas, and I am a First Generation Mexican-American. My parents came to the United States from the city of Cueramaro in Guanajuato, Mexico. My story starts with my parents trying to settle due to my birth becoming complicated as I was born with Spina Bifida. A birth defect in which a developing baby’s spinal cord fails to develop properly. Many medical professionals would advise my parents that I was not going to be able to walk, think, and live a “normal” life. Some years later, I believe God gave me the opportunity to live a normal life and gave me the opportunity to work hard on my goals and accomplish many things. My father as a landscaper would push me to go to college so that I wouldn’t struggle as he did. So I did, I worked with him for many years and I realized that God had shown me that my purpose was to make my parents proud. I decided to go to college and pursue a career in Information Technology. Every since I was young, something about computers and all kinds of electronics would catch my attention, I started fixing them at a young age hence why I had to pursue this career. I am completely grateful for this career, it has led me to so many great experiences including the opportunity to currently work with The Walt Disney Company under the ABC-7 Chicago News Station. I am completely grateful for this career that it has given me also the opportunity to pursue more hobbies of mine including to starting my own photography business, Eric Rosa’s Photography. In my IT career, I am able to work with so many talented individuals and hold a platform where I am able to show people that they can achieve great things and that they should have aspirations in life.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I’d like to say that the qualities, skills and areas of knowledge are being persistent, be outspoken, and be the hardest worker in the room. I would like to advise folks to always be persistent with what they are passionate about and never settle for less. Please knock on doors, talk to people. Please always take opportunities that come up to your door even if those opportunities are “small” they will always have a huge impact later down in life. Out of college, all I wanted was the office job working in my field, years later, I am now looking to fill that Director CIO position. Always have common courtesy and humble yourself with everyone, extend your hand to others, this will pay off sooner than later. Last but not least, put your foot down where you need to, as a Latino, I tend to not be quiet and I speak up on situations and concerns I have. We have to be heard, if you don’t speak, God will not hear you.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
I believe the most impactful thing my parents have ever done is to see the struggles they had to overcome raising me with a birth defect. I will forever be grateful for them. Raising me with my birth defect, they were able to raise me into the man I am now and showed me what it is to be humble and hard working.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.linkedin.com/me?trk=p_mwlite_feed_updates-secondary_nav
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erosasphoto?igsh=YWdlaHVxbncxd3ox&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/me?trk=p_mwlite_feed_updates-secondary_nav
Image Credits
Sergio Meza Photography IG: @sergiomezaphotographer
