Acculturation and Finding Your Place at the Table

By: Nayeli Del Real Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like you didn't belong there? I’m referring to your big corporate job or the leadership role you always wanted and finally landed.

Not because you weren't qualified. Not because you hadn't earned your spot. But because that little voice in your head convinced you that everyone else was somehow more deserving, more prepared, or more capable than you.

Many successful first-generation Latinos experience this feeling, especially as they reach new milestones in their careers. They find themselves sitting in meetings they once dreamed of attending, working alongside people they admire, and stepping into leadership roles they worked incredibly hard to achieve, Yet despite all of their accomplishments, they still wonder, "Do I really belong here?"

The truth is, many of us grew up without seeing ourselves represented in these spaces. We didn't always have family members who could explain corporate culture, professional networking, or what to expect after college. We learned as we went. We figured things out through trial and error. So when we finally arrived in these spaces, it's natural to feel a little out of place.

And honestly? That feeling doesn't disappear overnight.

The challenge often begins after graduation, when you're navigating professional environments that are completely new. Little by little, though, something starts to change. With every meeting you attend, every opportunity you accept, and every conversation you contribute to, you begin to realize that you do belong. Your ideas matter. Your perspective matters. Your experiences matter.

It's a lot like exposure therapy. The more you allow yourself to step into situations that feel uncomfortable, the less intimidating they become. At first, your anxiety may tell you that you don't belong there. But as you continue showing up, you gather evidence that says otherwise.

You start speaking up more.

You start trusting yourself.

You start recognizing your own expertise.

And before you know it, you're no longer wondering whether you belong in the room. You're contributing, leading, mentoring, and helping create space for others.

So if you're struggling with impostor syndrome today, I want you to remember something:

You did not get here by accident. You worked late nights, navigated systems that were not always designed with you in mind, and kept going even when things felt impossible. You earned your education through sacrifice, perseverance, and probably lots of tears (plus late nights).

That seat was always yours.

So take it confidently. Share your ideas. Own your accomplishments. And remember that every step you take is helping pave the way for those who will come after you wether it’s your siblings, your nephews/nieces or own children, remember who’s watching you.

And don’t forget You belong here at the table.