Angelique Maldonado is a mother of three boys who also worked full-time as she pursued her master’s degree in water resources. Her hard work has paid off as she will be graduating this semester, an example of success she plans to use to motivate her kids one day.
“(It was) definitely challenging, but rewarding at the same time,” Maldonado said. “It keeps me busy, but I’m pretty driven so it’s kind of nice to be able to set a good example for my kids and let them know the importance of school.”
Maldonado works with Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, which has been flexible as she worked on her studies, she said.
“They have tuition education assistance, and so they have given me educational leave to go to school,” Maldonado said, adding that they covered a majority of her tuition as well.
Maldonado, who graduated from West Mesa High School in 1999, said she plans to go on to work on a doctorate.
Maldonado intends on staying in the government, with a focus on local government so she can provide community service in the pursuit of improving the quality of life in the area she grew up in.
“I feel like providing quality water to the community is so important,” she said. “Super critical.”
But Maldonado doesn’t just want to work locally; her desire is holding a position of leadership, saying that she wants to pursue an executive position in an organization that deals with water in Albuquerque or the surrounding area.
Maldonado began to intern for the water utility in high school, where she began to foster a passion for the water division, she said. The interest has deep roots for her.
“I always had aspirations to work in that department. My mom actually used to work for the water utility since I was in elementary school, so I was always kind of inspired,” Maldonado said. “I really like the idea of working for a purpose.”
Maldonado also always knew she wanted to pursue higher education, she said.
“I just kind of went for it and never stopped, even as I had kids and my career got more intense. I always wanted to pursue those goals and not finish until I was done,” Maldonado said.
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Despite pacing herself by doing more part-time work instead of full-time to help compensate for the rigors of her studies and raising three boys, Maldonado said her family has always been supportive of her.
“My mom and my dad recently moved out to Belen once they retired, but they’re still very supportive, and help me with my kids,” she said.
She said her final semester has left her with mixed emotions, but she is still very driven to sustain a high GPA.
“It was pretty demanding for being my last term, but I was very excited because I could see the light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.
Her overall experience at UNM has been very educational and very rewarding, she said.
“I kind of always wanted to be a Lobo. My boys always enjoyed going to the the Lobos basketball games, so I’ve always kind of had that school spirit,” she said.
Maldonado gave credit to the professors, adviser and administrators who helped her along the way, keeping her engaged and motivated. As for her fellow students, her best advice is to not give up or get discouraged, she said.
“Definitely keep your motivation,” she said. “The reward is much more exciting than the hard work it takes to get there. The end result is a motivating factor, so definitely don’t give up.”
Nichole Harwood is a news reporter at the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Nolidoli1.
