Choose Your Fellow: Analiz Ochoa
Meet Analiz Ochoa, 2022 VFC and RBC Fellow. She is currently working as a UXDesigner at OwnSpace, a platform that bridges buyers and real estate developers to build better living spaces.
What does being a lifelong learner being to you?
To me, it’s about always looking for new things and facing new challenges. An example would be taking a master’s degree, as that is something I’m currently doing.
In summary, being a lifelong learner is having something inside of yourself that’s always hungry for new and more information. Whether it’s to gain new skill sets or something you’re naturally curious about.
What things do you engage with to keep you inspired and motivated?
I read a lot of different things, from Spanish literature to English literature. I enjoy reading books on history, as it’s something that I’m curious about. The more I see the world through books and traveling, the more I’m keen on learning new perspectives and mindsets that I could potentially apply to my life.
I have a background in architecture. So fiscal spaces are also something that I enjoy identifying with.
What’s one piece of advice that you would leave for someone who’s trying to step into becoming a lifelong learner?
Find whatever makes your curiosity itch. We’re all curious beings, especially when we were kids, and it’s important to never let that flame die. Find what that is and gravitate to whatever lights a fire up your butt.
For me, it’s reading and traveling, and seeing and feeling new spaces. For another person, it might be a completely different thing. Find your niche interest and follow it.
How do lifelong learners thrive in entrepreneurship?
Being a lifelong learner is essential for entrepreneurs, or for people like me working at start-ups. Because you’re constantly having to cope and solve challenges at work.
You need to figure out how to resolve those problems or issues. At times you won’t have anyone that’s holding your hand and telling you what steps to take. So lifelong learners thrive in having a mentality of wanting to and being disciplined enough to keep learning new things. The more that they learn the more that they’re exposed to and aware of new perspectives and solutions.
