Joseline Valdez Rojas — a 2024 Aspire Leaders Program alumna and Aspire Institute Global Collaborator — inspires others to pursue new opportunities. Currently working as a Lifecycle Marketing Specialist and hobbyist content creator in Mexico, Valdez Rojas harbors a deep passion for cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI). She shares opportunities for those from underprivileged backgrounds, with a special focus on empowering women to pursue careers in STEM. Her journey transitioning into the technology industry, especially as a woman in a space with limited female representation, has become a driving force for her advocacy and content creation.
Picking Her Path and Unlocking Opportunity
Valdez Rojas’ academic journey began at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) studying law and Instituto Politécnico Nacional, where she studied international business. As the sixth child in a large family with limited resources, she felt determined to enter university with a plan.
“In my case, being the sixth daughter, [my] parents didn’t have a lot of possibilities to give me everything,” she said. “But, if you want to achieve goals, you need to search [for] opportunities. In your hands are all the possibilities to [move past] obstacles that come with being the first-generation in your family.”
Valez Rojas asked questions and took on several incredible opportunities outside of her time at university.
A particularly pivotal moment came when she received a scholarship to intern at the University of Massachusetts Boston. This life-changing opportunity helped her realize that with hard work and dedication, anyone can achieve their dreams.
“I realized you don’t need to be a privileged person to be in another part of the world,” she said. “You need to do a lot of hard work, but it’s really possible.”
Once in Boston, Valez Rojas began sharing her experiences on social media. She hoped to motivate others and assure those coming from similar circumstances that it is possible to pursue experiences abroad. Her posts resonated with young people from all over Latin America, especially those from her city of Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico.
Empowering Women to Pursue STEM
Although she initially planned for a career in law, Valez Rojas’ work experiences awakened an interest in cybersecurity and AI.
“You’re going to have some changes in your professional career, and it’s okay,” she said. “It’s most important not to stop your career — it’s really important to be learning all the time.”
Valez Rojas’ passion for cybersecurity grew after a personal crisis involving the misuse of AI. Her phone was stolen and used for digital violence. This sparked a drive to be part of a solution. During the six months she spent taking a cybersecurity & AI course at Google’s WomenCISO, she contributed to developing an app to help victims of digital violence. It was her first experience collaborating with a diverse group of women from professional tech backgrounds.
“I think it’s very important that women start to enter this industry,” she said. “When I entered into the cybersecurity industry, I realized that women [made up a small percentage] in the world of technology.”
Valez Rojas’ goal was to take her experience and figure out how to help other victims of similar situations. This idea, which she submitted to a competition held during the course, won second place. Valez Rojas and her team are currently working to get the app funded.
Leadership Journey with Aspire
Valez Rojas’ involvement with the 2024 Aspire Leaders Program opened her eyes to how hard she worked to get to where she is now.
“From my perspective, I didn’t realize the huge effort that I make being the first-generation of my family in university,” she said. “In the end, you have more obstacles, [so] you need to make more of an effort.”
Through the program, she networked with individuals from all over the world, learned from industry experts, and gained invaluable insights into AI and its social implications. For Valez Rojas, the mentorship, networking, and opportunities offered through the program helped shape her professional aspirations.
She believes that programs like the Aspire Leaders Program prove essential for students from underprivileged backgrounds to build their professional careers, and she now collaborates with Aspire Institute to share the program with more young leaders across Latin America.
“For me, the Aspire Leaders Program was a huge opportunity and an incredible program that I need to share with everyone,” she said. “We are students with a not privileged background and [Aspire is] changing the opportunities that we have.”
Continued Education and Continued Empowerment
Looking forward, Valez Rojas aims to pursue a master’s degree in Law in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. She also plans to continue growing her social media presence to educate others about the importance of cybersecurity and AI. Her goal is to make these complex topics more accessible and encourage more women to enter the tech industry.
Valez Rojas’s advocacy efforts aren’t just about her career. She wants to continue inspiring others, especially young people from her hometown, to strive for greater opportunities. She will continue collaborating with Aspire Institute to achieve this.
Advice for the Next Generation of Young Professionals
Valez Rojas’s best piece of advice for anyone starting their professional journey is to believe in themselves and take advantage of free online resources — particularly for learning English, which can open many doors. She also stresses the importance of sharing your story. You never know who you might inspire help along the way.
If you’re a Latin American university student looking to learn about her path, scholarships, and career-building opportunities, be sure to follow her on TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
