Latinos Make Harvard University a Career Choice

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By Chris Helms

 Guatemalan with a Dream Learns «Harvard is for Everyone»

Walfred Arenales grew up dreaming of getting to Harvard University. It might’ve seemed like an ambitious goal for a boy from a small Guatemalan town.

When I was young, I had big dreams,” Arenales told El Mundo during an interview at the prestigious Harvard Business School, where he is Associate Director, Finance and Operations.

Arenales was shy as a young man. He didn’t tell classmates about his dreams. But his family, including his father, supported him. Once Arenales moved to the United States, it didn’t take him long to reach Boston. After a brief stint in Los Angeles, he took his first job with Harvard in 1994.

Arenales started an entry-level job as staff assistant at Harvard Business School. Answering phones wasn’t the career goal of Arenales, who in Guatemala was a certified public accountant. Like many immigrants, he temporarily put aside his home-country credentials while he worked his way up in the U.S.

Over the years, his managers at Harvard saw his potential. He earned more and more responsibilities.

For the past twelve years, he’s been finance and office manager of operations for the elite business school. A typical day might mean signing off on purchase orders, managing accounts payable or assisting with Harvard Business School’s operating and capital funds budget. He also works closely with the large construction projects on Harvard’s evolving Allston campus.

But like most people who work at Harvard, he wears many hats. And gets plenty of support from the university to achieve his goals.

For instance, Arenales mentors students from Brighton High School. They come after school to learn how to handle themselves in professional environments.

It gives me a lot of satisfaction on a personal level,” Arenales said. “Harvard cares so much about doing good for the community.”

Arenales loves to travel. And Harvard gives him a chance to combine work and his passion for seeing new places. For years, he and a faculty member have led groups of nearly 50 MBA students on the “Field II” course. It means going to another country for two weeks for the students to help businesses in those areas.

Countries he’s visited on the program include Philippines, Ghana, India, China and Malaysia. For instance, students helped Burger King develop and market a burger tailored to Malaysian tastes.

I’ve gotten to meet people from all over the world,” said Arenales, who is studying French to add a third language to his skills.

That’s not all he’s studying. He is taking a degree in management accounting and finance at the Harvard Extension School.

If you’ve read other profiles in the El Mundo series on Latinos at Harvard, you’ll notice a theme: Harvard supports employees reaching their full potential.

They provide a lot of training,” Arenales said, “It’s up to you if you want to take it.”

He admits that when he started in 1994, he saw few Latino faces working alongside him. That’s changed now.

I see more Latinos coming to work good positions,” Arenales said. “It’s great to see our community is not getting stuck. It’s advancing.

Through all his success, Arenales has not forgotten his Guatemalan home town.

“I feel very proud of who I am and where I come from,” he said.

Each year he funds two scholarships for English at his high school.

I’ve [achieved] this dream,” he said. “Now it’s time to help others.”

Arenales lives in Everett with his wife and two sons. Brent, 24, works in banking while his 18-year-old, Bryan, is a senior at Everett High School. Whatever his sons’ dreams become, he plans to support them.

I’m not going to cut your wings, because my Dad didn’t cut my wings,” Arenales said.

Arenales encouraged other Latinos not to be afraid of applying to Harvard, whether for school or work.

“Harvard is very reachable,” he said. “Harvard is for everyone. If I can do it, anyone can do it.”

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Walfred Arenales

Age: 45

Title: Associate Director, Finance and Operations, Harvard Business School

Born: San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala

Resides: Everett

Family: Wife, Judy; sons Brent, 24 and Bryan, 18.