We’re looking forward to introducing you to Alliah Cabradilla. Check out our conversation below.
Alliah, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What battle are you avoiding?
Ever since graduation, the struggle for a routine has been never-ending. My days start at 11 AM and end at 2 AM—wake up, eat, apply for jobs, and rot. Being a post-grad with no job means you have no real structure, and it makes you feel like you’re running out of time. The truth is, I’m not behind; I’m barely starting. But when you’re in this position, it’s easy to feel lost and lazy, and all those emotions just pile up until they’re too much to deal with.
Moving back home without any direction can make you shut yourself off from the world, and that kind of isolation can lead to something more serious. That’s the battle I keep avoiding—accepting that right now everything is uncertain and messy, not because I’m unqualified, but because so many “entry-level” jobs want three years of experience from people who just graduated. It’s a stagnant kind of struggle where the days blur together, and you lose track of time staring at your screen, trying to figure out where you can wedge your foot in the door so you don’t feel unworthy. A lot of college grads in their 20s are going through the same thing, trying to piece together what their life is supposed to look like.
They say comparison is the thief of joy, but how can you not compare when your peers are moving forward and you’re stuck in the same spot? Avoiding those emotions just keeps you there; facing them is the only way to move. So I remind myself: focus on what I can control, let go of what I can’t, and trust that my chapter isn’t over—it’s just starting.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi everyone! My name is Maria Alliah Cassandra Cabradilla—Alliah for short. I’m 22 and recently graduated from the University of California, Merced, with a degree in Biological Sciences, emphasizing in Microbiology and Immunology. Sounds fancy, right? It’s all part of my journey to becoming a domestic pet veterinarian.
You might have come across my videos on TikTok, where I post about… well, pretty much anything that makes me smile. People ask what my niche is, but honestly, I don’t have one—I just share snippets of my life. I started creating content back in my freshman dorm room in Spring 2022, and it’s been a huge part of my life ever since. Through it, I’ve connected with some amazing creators and had the chance to work as a brand ambassador for companies like Fabletics, CHARLES KEITH, COTTON ON, Clinique, CeraVe, Amazon Prime Student, and BEARPAW. These opportunities deepened my love for social media marketing and the creative community.
Outside of content creation, I’m passionate about animal welfare. I volunteer at shelters both in Southern and Northern California, and wherever I can. I believe animals deserve genuine care—not just as a business transaction—and I want to be part of changing that. Right now, I’m taking a break before applying to veterinary programs, while also working toward my Veterinary Assistant certification. This will allow me to gain more hands-on experience and better understand the medical side of animal care.
My ultimate goal is twofold: continue creating content that inspires connection, and build a career where I can directly care for animals—eventually opening animal shelters wherever they’re needed most.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you have more power than you think—as a creative, as a student, and as someone with a dream. Keep going. Your story is still being written.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My mom.
Ever since I can remember, my mom has worked day and night. There were times I wouldn’t see her at all during the day, and sometimes only once or twice a week. That’s when I started learning to do things on my own—like cooking my first pot of rice on the stove. It might not sound like much, but it sparked a confidence in me that eventually grew into the ability to cook anything I want.
We didn’t grow up with much—in fact, there were times we were barely getting by—but my mom always made sure I understood the importance of having a strong work ethic. She taught me that being a good worker isn’t just about earning money; it’s about taking responsibility and showing up for yourself and others.
I started my first job at 17, right after junior year of high school during the COVID-19 era. I had asked my mom for something I wanted, and with all the bills we had, she gently suggested I get a job so I could buy it myself without feeling guilty. So I did. I worked nights, five days a week, after my online classes. With my earnings, I bought my first phone and my first laptop for college. My mom never judged how I spent my money but always reminded me to be wise with it—frugal, but not to the point where I couldn’t enjoy what I earned.
Since then, I’ve worked every year, every summer break, and now through social media. My proudest purchase was my own car—a 2005 Toyota Camry. It might be old, but it’s exactly what I wanted. Buying it myself meant my mom didn’t have to, and it reminded me that hard work truly pays off.
Everything I know about work—discipline, independence, and pride in what I earn—comes from watching my mom. She didn’t just teach me how to work hard; she taught me why it matters.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
For years, I believed that the worst thing in the world was not pleasing everyone. I would go along with whatever the people I considered friends wanted to do, even if I felt uncomfortable or unsure. At the time, all that mattered to me was keeping them close—having friends I could hang out with and feeling like I belonged. I didn’t speak up when I should have. I let my boundaries slip when I should have stood firm. I ignored the consequences when I should have paid attention. Because of this, I got myself into trouble and almost lost sight of who I truly was.
I tried so hard to blend in. And yes, it might sound cliché, but I would wear whatever was “in” just to match everyone else, feel jealous when I couldn’t have the same things, and let their words—even the ones that weren’t true—stick to me like glue. All of it came from wanting to avoid conflict, wanting to be accepted, and fearing what would happen if I wasn’t.
But I’ve grown from that. Moving away for college wasn’t a risk for me—it was my reset button. While people said I’d miss home, I knew I needed distance. I had to leave behind the familiar streets and the same small-town grocery stores and plazas my high school friends visited after class. Being five hours away gave me space to figure out who I am and start doing things for myself. I’ve learned to be confident, to speak up, and to stand by my values instead of folding to what others want. People can’t walk all over me anymore, and I’m proud of that. Fifteen-year-old me might not recognize the person I’ve become—but she’d be proud we made it here.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Nobody’s public version is truly the full version of their real selves. What we show online or in social settings is often just a carefully curated highlight reel—the parts of ourselves we feel comfortable sharing or believe others will accept. It’s natural to want to present the best side of ourselves, but that means many of our struggles, insecurities, and messy moments remain hidden behind the scenes.
The truth is, everyone carries layers beneath what they let others see. Those private parts—our doubts, fears, failures, and even our quiet victories—make up who we really are. But because of social expectations and the fear of judgment, we often keep those parts locked away.
Being authentic doesn’t mean revealing everything to everyone. It means being honest with ourselves and others about who we are, even if that honesty comes in pieces or at our own pace. The public version of me is just a snapshot, a version shaped by what I choose to share and what I protect for myself.
Behind the scenes, the real me is always growing, learning, and changing—sometimes messy, sometimes confident, but always genuine in my own way. And I think that’s okay. Because authenticity isn’t about perfection or total transparency; it’s about showing up as your true self, even if only a part of it at a time.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I only had 10 years left, the first thing I’d stop doing is putting off the things that make me truly happy. I catch myself all the time saying, “I’ll do that later,” whether it’s going to the beach, spending time with friends, or just taking a break to enjoy life. But later doesn’t always come when you think it will. So I’d make it a priority to go to the beach as much as possible, feel the sun, listen to the waves, and just be present in those moments that bring me peace.
I’d also stop worrying so much about what other people think of me or trying to fit into what they expect. Too many times, I’ve held back from doing what I love because I was afraid of judgment or didn’t want to cause conflict. If I only had 10 years, I wouldn’t waste time on that. I’d focus on the things and people that truly matter and let go of the rest.
Life’s too short to spend it stressing about things that don’t add to your happiness. I’d stop hesitating and start living more fully—trying new things, making memories, and being unapologetically myself. I’d stop waiting for the “right” moment and just start doing what I want now, because time is the one thing you can’t get back.
In the end, it’s about making the most of the time I have left, and that means filling it with joy, love, and moments that make me feel alive—not regrets or things left undone.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliahcabradilla/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alliah-cabradilla-014380183/
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alliahccabradilla
Image Credits
No credits needed.
