Jackie Va (she/her) is a Food Aid Manager at Vegan Outreach, a nonprofit organization working to end violence towards animals. Originally from Stockton, CA and now based in Sacramento, CA, Jackie graduated from UCSB with a degree in Geography. Read on to learn more about her educational experiences growing up and the shift she made from Geography to nonprofit work.
How do you identify ethnically?
I identify as Cambodian.
How would you describe the environment and community where you grew up?
I grew up in Stockton, in a neighborhood that would be described as low income and disadvantaged. It did not have the best resources but the neighborhood was diverse. Cambodians were well represented in Stockton, CA. I grew up with other Cambodian Americans in a close community. I was able to go to Cambodian grocery stores and had access to residential resources that catered to Cambodian families.
How would you describe the academic setting as you pursued higher education?
I went to school at University of California, Santa Barbara for all four years of my education. It was not so diverse and a culture shock for me from Stockton, California. I felt like an outsider at many places but was able to form a tight knit Asian American community at the school through cultural clubs and organizations. I felt comfortable at the school because there were many resources for Asian Americans and I still felt represented seeing other Asian students and professors. I was a part of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at my school so I was fortunate to know how to locate resources. My academic goals were primarily in the social sciences category such as art, geography and feminism, which I think made it easier for me to be in diverse and inclusive settings.
Was there ever a time in your educational journey where you felt behind, misunderstood, or confused because of your ethnic identity?
In my freshman year, I remember my roommate telling me that there were a few friends who tried to playfully guess my ethnicity. They described me as being part of the not so typical Asian category, or popular Asian ethnicities such as Korean, Chinese, Japanese etc. It was a surprise for me to realize that most people never met Cambodians before. Education wise, in classes I don’t think I ever felt misunderstood or left behind because of my cultural identity.
How has the model minority myth impacted you and your educational experience? Do you think it’s harmful to our community and if so, why?
I think the model minority myth may have been pushed on me by elder Cambodians in our community, their wish for us was to become either a lawyer or doctor. I remember being told by my uncle to be a pharmacist and he described the career as just simply having to learn to measure and distribute pills. My uncle and many of my other family members have not gone to college before and don’t have much understanding of the education system. It’s sad that many parents and family members expect us to rise up to the model minority myth but they themselves don’t have the understanding of the years of education, funds, and discipline that it takes. The model myth minority is especially harmful for us Southeast Asians, as only a few Cambodian Americans make it to college due to social and economic reasons. The myth ignores the obstacles and inequalities that different Asian American groups face.
How important of a role do you think higher education institutions have in helping to break the model minority myth? What are some ways you see universities and post-secondary institutions doing that?
Higher education institutions have done a good job on funding and publicizing research about different Asian American groups. They have given the space for students to organize and explore their cultural and political identities. I have also seen universities invite diverse speakers to speak at schools and hold educational /social events. The more education that people can get about different Asian American identities, the less the minority model myth holds true.
Why did you pursue higher education?
It felt like a natural progression for me, since my father was one of the few family members who was college educated. I was encouraged at young ages to participate in specialized programs in school like GATE and honor classes throughout my full K-12 years. I always knew I would go to college even though I did not know a lot about it.
What led you to your current career path? Any inspirations or moments that sparked your interest to pursue it?
I graduated UCSB with a degree in Geography and did technical mapping for civil engineering for a few years but got really bored of the profession and environment. I admit I pursued this career for financial stability and I wanted to try something new. I decided to leave that career and follow my passion instead to work for a nonprofit that advocates a vegan lifestyle for the animals, environment and health. I always hosted events in my Stockton community about veganism as a hobby and never thought there was a career in it. I was randomly approached by the nonprofit Vegan Outreach to work for them as an Outreach Coordinator. I was happy to be able to do the things I did as a hobby as a full time career. I think it’s important for anyone to believe that you can have an enjoyable career that you are truly passionate about. Keep doing your hobbies on the side and a career might just blossom from it!
If at all, how do you relate your ethnic identity to your professional role and goals?
My cultural identity directly influenced my veganism and in turn led me to my professional path. Although Cambodian Americans are rarely vegan (unless strict buddhist), I grew up learning about the Khmer Rouge genocide at an early age and it instilled a value for life in me that I took more seriously over the years. I could not be the person to decide the value of life and to decide someone else’s fate, living vegan and advocating for veganism felt like the path that resonated with myself and my culture. As a Cambodian American vegan, I am proud to represent other Asian vegans and show that veganism is possible for everyone. Currently, I am the manager of a program that is sustaining communities with free healthy groceries during this pandemic. We feed communities of color living in the same environments and food deserts like I grew up in. As manager of this program, I make sure that the groceries are culturally relevant and the recipients are treated with consideration. My cultural identity and experience gives me unique insight and skills to better advocate for my community.
Any words of wisdom or tips you have for fellow SEAA students who are planning on pursuing higher education?
Higher education is not just about your major and the classes you take. You are a part of a community with an abundant amount of resources available to support you to become the person you want to be. You have a whole network filled with opportunities for you to discover new skills and make long lasting relationships. There will be a space for you and there will be so many opportunities that will align with who you are. It is such an exciting time and one of the best times of your life for both personal and professional development. I completely recommend higher education for the social and personal experiences alone. I hope you take advantage of every aspect of your educational journey.
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