A Conversation On Hispanic Employee Experiences To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 

Hispanic culture is vibrant, fun, and colorful but also very serious, resilient, and powerful. For this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month TTEC wanted to ask some of its employees to highlight their Hispanic employee experiences and what makes their culture so amazing.

Let’s welcome Victor from Mexico, Kelly from the US, and Juan from Colombia, as they give us their unique stories.

At the heart of Hispanics: la familia

Kelly: Hispanic culture is all about familia. Love, loyalty, respect, and family – these are big for us. In my family, for example, our eldest eats first. For many people, the kids fill their plates first. In our culture it should be the oldest. Our elders are treated like royalty. We surround them with love and care.

In general, we support each other in the family no matter what. It sets the tone for our sense of care for others and our sense of pride as Hispanics.

Victor: I feel the same. I couldn’t imagine my life without my family. They’re my inspiration. They’ve taught me many important things in my life and shaped the person I am today.

Juan: My abuela (grandmother), Miriam, is truly an example of the importance of family and the strength family inspires. She raised her three children on her own and ensured they received the education she never had access to.

Considering the context that Colombian women had so few opportunities to provide for their families back then, it amazes me how much she was able to achieve for her family.

She instilled her values – hard work, resilience, and family – in my dad, my siblings, and me. Despite the many challenges she faced, she never gave up and always found a way forward.

Her strength and determination inspire me and reminds me to stay grounded in what truly matters: family. I’m so grateful to have such a strong and wise Hispanic woman like my abuela in my life.

Kelly: My older brother, Andres, is a great example of this strength and spirit, especially as a USA Green Beret. His compassion for others is unlike anything I know.

He’s done fundraisers for cancer patients, hospital visits in costumes for young patients, and volunteers a lot of his time for fellow veterans. He really sets the bar for talking the talk and walking the walk and making a difference as a Hispanic.

Hoping to connect como iguales (as equals) with the world

Juan: We Hispanics have rich stories, traditions, and histories that reflect how much heart we have. I want all those to be shared and respected more in society.

Promoting bilingual education and cultural exchange programs could bridge gaps and build stronger connections with other communities. All we really want is to make a good impact on society, and I hope we get more opportunities to do that.

Victor: The Hispanic community is a hopeful one. We shoot for the stars. We hope to become partners in building a better world… to become a positive influence, not only among our own but among other people in the world.

Kelly: Most of my family are immigrants, so I've seen the challenges and also the triumphs of the Hispanic experience. Growing up we were taught to have tough skin and hold our head high.

I've taught my children the same thing, to be proud of who we are by celebrating Hispanic culture proudly – even if it isn’t easy. To speak up and make a difference, make the world a better place.

I want my people to be more than a statistic. We shouldn’t be. Our place in the future should be empowering our youth, neighbors, and communities to do better, be better using the passion we’re known for.

We know how to fiesta!

Victor: One of the best parts of Hispanic culture, especially in Mexico, is our colorful celebrations. We love to party and we do it in uniquely Hispanic ways!

Our celebrations often go through the night and into the next morning. “Come late, leave tomorrow.” They are also very colorful, vibrant, and musical. Our traditional Mexican music – mariachi, banda, cumbia, bachata, and more, are ever-present at parties.

Our parties are also supersized. A quinceñera (the fifteenth birthday party celebrating a girl’s transition into adulthood), for example, can be bigger than a wedding and can go all night!

Mexican Independence Day on September 16 is a big celebration. The town squares are flooded with parties, traditional Mexican dress, food, fireworks, and dancing.

Día de los Muertos is a visually stunning example of Mexican culture and tradition. Each town has decorations and parades that can vary from cheerful to somber.

Juan: “The Barranquilla Carnival” is a bright and colorful Colombian celebration and one of the largest carnivals in the world. The streets come alive with music, dancing, elaborate costumes, and parades, showcasing and celebrating Hispanic culture.

The energy, the joy that fill the air during this event is truly contagious. It captures the diversity and beauty of our culture. It’s something I wish everyone could experience at least once. I always hope people become more open to experiencing us and our culture.

The theme of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” Thank you to Victor, Kelly, and Juan for sharing their Hispanic employee experiences, giving us a taste of their culture, and for opening up about their hopes for their community’s future.

Learn more about TTEC’s Employee Resource Group “TTEC Familia” which aims to drive cultural awareness and introduce more opportunities for growth for Latinos and Hispanics in the company. This Hispanic Heritage Month TTEC invites you to join the group and become allies, advocates, and friends!