Vanesa Lagunas
“When you start to embrace the challenges you will discover your hidden strengths”
Vanesa Lagunas
Country of Origin: Chile
Occupation: Customer Service & Content Moderation Team Leader at Seek
State of Residency: Victoria
Favourite place in Australia: Melbourne
Upon arrival: Surprised by seeing people walking barefoot in the streets of Queensland
Edited by Cristina Ponce-Abela. Socials by Juan Camilo.
Vanesa is a woman who has consistently devoted a significant amount of time to advocate for the rights and well-being of migrants in Australia. Her dedication lies in raising awareness and emphasizing the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. She previously volunteered for Women of Colour Australia, a not-for-profit organisation run by women of colour for women of colour. She currently works at Seek as a Customer Service & Content Moderation Team Leader.
TELL US YOUR STORY
Robert & Vanesa's Wedding in El Carmen, Chile 2020
My journey started in 2015 when I embarked on a year-long adventure as a working holiday visa holder in the sunny city of the Gold Coast, located in the heart of Queensland. My initial purpose for this journey was to fully immerse myself in an English-speaking culture, with the primary aim of improving my fluency in the language. Little did I know, life had an entirely different course in mind. Shortly into my trip, I crossed paths with my now-husband, Rob, a Brisbane-born Australian who had grown up on the Gold Coast.
To make a life together, Rob and I faced important decisions, including the pursuit of a partner visa that would allow me to relocate to Australia. Starting a new life from scratch with no professional connections, posed one of the most challenging aspects of my migration journey, exacerbated by the grief of leaving behind my family, my culture, my career and my friends. Transitioning from working as a successful administrative executive at international organisations in my home country, to serving as a waitress and taking on minimum wage jobs in the Gold Coast was a big adjustment.
Later, an opportunity emerged, and I spent some years working as a Cashier at Woolworths supermarkets. This customer-facing role enabled me to refine my spoken English and gain a deeper understanding of the Australian working culture. My professional path only truly re-commenced after relocating to Melbourne with Rob, where I gradually found my way back into the administrative field. This journey involved years of hard work, getting out of my comfort zone and facing my deepest fears by introducing myself to strangers and attending networking events, all of which were instrumental in establishing new professional connections, strengthening my English proficiency, and finding new life-long friends and mentors along the way.
Moving to Victoria proved to be a wonderful opportunity to reside in a vibrant city, where there was so much to do. As a migrant woman, Melbourne turned up to be a great place to interact with people from other backgrounds and cultures as well as to engage with multicultural organisations, leaders and communities in which I saw myself reflected. This is when I started volunteering and participating in different social projects and where I discovered my passion of advocating for equity, diversity and inclusion driven by the urge of raising awareness and amplify the voices of marginalized individuals.
Our move not only opened up exciting career prospects for both of us but also granted us the privileged opportunity to purchase our own property. Recently we celebrated two years of homeownership and my Australian citizenship, symbolising the culmination of significant sacrifices and leaps of faith into the unknown. Reflecting on my Australian journey, there were times when uncertainty clouded the path ahead, and I questioned my decisions. However, I kept my optimism and I continued to work relentlessly in the pursuit of my dreams and aspirations. I have always trusted that life would lead me to where I truly belong and Melbourne, without a doubt is that place.
Participating in the "Voices of the North" Writing Project at Glenroy Library & Merri-Bek City Council 2023
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to share this beautiful life next to my loving husband, all the while receiving unwavering support from our families afar, who visit us whenever possible. Both of us continue to focus on our professional careers, and in my free time, I remain actively engaged in extracurricular activities, such as participating in community events, supporting multicultural organisations and working on personal development. Lately, I've been dedicated to enhancing my public speaking skills through the organisation Toastmasters, viewing it as an investment in my future.
Currently, I work at Seek as a Customer Service & Content Moderation Team Leader, a role that has not only allowed me to grow but also to exercise and develop my leadership abilities.
CHALLENGES
Lack of support and the loneliness - Despite being with my partner, I had no personal friends or professional connections, and adapting to a new culture and language was a daunting task. I often felt like a complete stranger, making it tough to build a new life while trying to assimilate into Australian culture.
Professional setback - Migrating to Australia meant my professional career took a setback of at least five years in terms of advancement and progression, resulting in frustration and a sense of isolation. Being from a different background automatically placed me in a less privileged community with limited opportunities. My Latin American looks and accent led to immediate categorisation as a less favourable candidate when applying for jobs and seeking career growth within organisations.
Racism and discrimination - These concepts persist in developed countries, including Australia. Despite being initially drawn to Australia's beauty, quality of life, and safety, my experience has not been absent of discriminatory experiences in various settings, including professional ones. This underscores the ongoing seriousness of this issue. I'm committed to addressing these structural problems in Australian society, raising awareness, and combating the injustices and struggles faced by people of colour who stand out due to their appearance, accents, or unconventional names.
CONTRASTS AND SIMMILARITIES
Celebrating my parents visit to Australia, 2018
Strength and resilience - A defining trait within the Latin community is our remarkable strength and resilience in the face of adversity. A significant number of us originate from developing countries where we've had to work hard to earn a livelihood and obtain a solid education. Witnessing the sacrifices made by our parents and grandparents to provide us with a decent life has left an unforgettable mark on us. Our greatest aspiration is to make them proud and demonstrate our capability to thrive in foreign environments. This aspect has profoundly reshaped my work ethic and the determination I channel while reconstructing my professional career in this new setting.
Family and community values - Latin individuals engage with their neighbours, invest time in the community, and often live with parents into their late twenties. In contrast, Australian culture typically sees children leaving home after high school, with greater reserve in interactions. Fortunately, I've found Latin-led communities here that share our cherished values, providing a profound sense of empowerment and belonging.
Working life - In Latin America, long hours, extended work commitments, and lengthy commutes are common. Moreover, factors like road conditions, public transport, traffic, safety, pollution, and population density in large cities often result in a lower quality of life compared to Australia. I've noticed that in Australia, there's a greater respect and value placed on the balance between work and personal life, which significantly benefits our mental health. Many workplaces encourage taking holidays and discourage working late. This is something I appreciate about Australia and wish our countries could adopt and emulate.
PIECE OF ADVICE
Plan in advance - In Australia, having strong English skills opens up more opportunities. I recommend anyone considering a move to Australia to learn as much English as possible beforehand. This will help with job hunting, making friends, and building professional networks. Additionally, saving money before arriving is a good idea since the cost of living is relatively high compared to other countries.
Keep working hard - My parents instilled in me the value of hard work, and it's proven to be true. I've dedicated myself wholeheartedly to every job I've had in Australia, making significant sacrifices along the way. This determination has brought me to where I am today. Migrating initially feels like leaving behind everything you know and facing your biggest fears, but as you open up to new possibilities and discover your true capabilities. When you start to embrace the challenges you will discover your hidden strengths. This is the journey towards becoming a success story, finding your inner strength.
Be true to youself - When you work hard to fit into a new culture, it's easy to forget who you really are. The key is to stay connected to your roots, values, and what brings you happiness. We're all unique, and we're here giving life our best shot. Acknowledge the effort it took to get where you are and take a moment for self-care. Remember the resilience of your Latin heritage; our ancestors faced even greater challenges. You're more capable than you realise—don't give up!
Networking Event with PMW (Professional Migrant Women) 2022
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS…
Vanesa’s primary goal is to drive social change and make a meaningful impact as a Diversity and Inclusion professional. She plans to go back to study next year and that fills her with excitement and hope. Although the prospect of balancing work and education is daunting, she is passionate about this path. It's not just about promoting fairness and inclusivity in workplaces and institutions, but also about paving the way for future generations and giving a voice to marginalised communities.
If you want to know more about Vanesa, find her here:
Instagram, Linkedin
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With love and gratitude - Latin Stories Australia team