Salvadoran Success Story

Claudia Pineda (center) when she graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills alongside her parents, Armando and Irma Sanchez. Photo provided by Ericka Pineda.

El Salvador’s civil war between the guerrillas and the government caused dangerous living situations for Salvadoran citizens. This dangerous environment caused families, including the family of CSULB student Ericka Pineda, to leave the country in hopes of a better life in the United States.

Pineda, 21, graduates this spring with her bachelor’s degree in business and a minor in public relations. Her mother, Claudia Pineda, 56, is one of many who decided to leave El Salvador due to the unsafe environment she lived in.

“My country started having a civil war in 1979 for the socioeconomic inequalities and land ownership issues,” Claudia said. “The war carried over for at least 12 years between the government and laborers, who then formed extreme groups called the guerillas.”

Many Salvadoran Americans have family who immigrated to the United States because of the war. These families’ goal was not only to give themselves a better life, but provide one for their future generations as well.

“My parents decided to migrate to the U.S. in 1980 because they believed my teenage brothers were in danger of either getting killed or joining the force of the war,” Claudia said, reflecting on the moment her family decided it was best to leave their country. “We sold everything and left for the United States to start a new life."

According to a 2020 analysis conducted by Pew Research, only 13% of Salvadorans in the U.S., aged 25 and older, obtained their bachelor’s degree. They continue, stating that foreign-born Salvadoran citizens are less likely to achieve a bachelor’s degree or higher than U.S.-born Salvadorans.

Claudia defied these odds, receiving her degree in business administration and becoming the only one of her siblings to obtain a college degree. She achieved this despite dealing with challenges like adapting to a new language, home, school, friends, fashion and jobs for her parents after coming to the United States.

“Seeing my mom persevere from all of the circumstances that her and her family went through inspired me to pursue an education,” Pineda said.

After graduating, Erika plans to pursue a career in marketing and entertainment. Erika is proud to represent her country as a CSULB student and contribute to diversity on campus.

“I made myself proud by continuing to further my education,” Pineda said.

Pineda’s younger sister, Gaby Pineda, 20, is also thankful for her family’s sacrifice to leave El Salvador and admires her older sister for her hard work and dedication.

"She’s always been a hard worker since elementary school. I wish her nothing but the best in her career and I know a special opportunity is waiting for her,” Gaby said.

Pineda encourages students of Salvadoran descent to work towards a higher education if it is something that they truly want to do.

Pineda is inspired to continue working hard because of her family’s sacrifice to move to the United States and is proud to represent her culture on campus and what it is rooted in.

“My education and me graduating this year is a reminder that all of their hard work did not go to waste,” Pineda said. “I am proud to be of Central American descent and wear the flags on my stole.”

Siguiente
Siguiente

Kenia Haro: CSULB Alumna Gives Back to Street Vendors