Today we’d like to introduce you to Brissa Elias-rojas
Hi Brissa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hello, my name is Brissa and I grew up in a small town in Oregon called Hood River. It’s a beautiful place—nestled under Mount Hood and right by the river and I’m so grateful to have come from there. I’m currently a junior at the University of Southern California, studying Health and Human Sciences with a minor in Public Relations. From a young age, I always had big dreams of moving to Los Angeles and pursuing a career in medicine. As a first-generation student and a proud Mexican American, I’ve always felt a strong desire to represent my community in spaces where we’re often underrepresented.
I took advantage of every opportunity I could, enrolling in dual-credit classes at my local community college while still in high school. By the time I graduated, I had already earned my associate’s degree—something I’m incredibly proud of.
Of course, I wasn’t alone on this journey. My family has always been my greatest supporters and they’re a huge motivation behind everything I do today. I want to make them proud and show that their hard work and guidance have paid off in shaping who I am. Whether it’s my uncles, my aunt, or especially my parents and grandma, I wouldn’t be where I am without them. My ultimate goal is to reward their sacrifices with my future success and show them that anything is possible. I work so hard to ensure that my success reflects their love and belief in me. I’m so grateful for how far I’ve come, and I carry them with me every step of the way.
Luckily, in high school, I had even more supportive teachers who pushed me to become the person I am today. They not only helped motivate me but also showed me that I could achieve my goals. Their belief in me was instrumental in my journey. Shout out to Jennifer Durand and Doug Beardsley—they truly were the stepping stones that gave me the motivation to achieve more and showed me that they believed in me, which kept me going.
Moving to LA and attending USC has been the right decision in every way. Not only has it helped me grow academically and personally, but it has also opened doors I never imagined. Beyond my studies, I’ve discovered new passions—like content creation—where I’ve had the opportunity to work with brands like Samsung, Yves Saint Laurent, and Prada. It’s been amazing to balance my love for beauty, fashion, and creativity alongside my academic and career goals.
Through it all, I believe in hard work, resilience, and the idea that anything is possible when you push yourself. I also love giving back by mentoring younger students, especially those from small towns like mine, to show them that their dreams are within reach. I know I still have so much more to accomplish, and I can’t wait for what’s ahead—just know I’m cooking, and big things are coming!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is overcoming doubt—both from others and myself. Growing up, I had teachers and faculty members tell me that my dreams were unrealistic or that I should settle for something “more attainable.” Instead of letting that discourage me, it made me work even harder. When I told my high school counselor about my dream schools, she suggested I stick to local colleges because I’d be “taking an opportunity away from other students.” That moment really stuck with me, but it also fueled me. Opportunities aren’t limited—they’re meant to be earned, and I was determined to create my own path.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I wear a lot of different hats when it comes to my work. Outside of academics, I work multiple jobs while also running my own small business.
One of my main roles is being a Resident Assistant (RA), where I help foster a sense of community and support students in their college journey. I also work at Jumpman LA and a luxury hotel, which has allowed me to build strong customer service skills while balancing a fast-paced work environment. Beyond these roles, I’m passionate about content creation and brand collaborations. Being able to merge my creative side with business has been such a rewarding experience.
On top of that, financial independence has been a big focus for me. Since high school, I’ve worked hard to support myself, from spending summers working at a health clinic and McDonald’s to now managing multiple streams of income in college. Balancing work, school, and my personal passions has taught me resilience, time management, and the value of hard work.
More than anything, my goal is to use my experiences to inspire others—whether it’s by helping students find opportunities, creating content that resonates, or eventually working in the medical field to improve healthcare access. Everything I do is driven by the desire to make a meaningful impact.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’ve always believed that taking risks is essential for growth, even though it can be intimidating at times. To me, risks aren’t about being reckless—they’re about pushing yourself beyond what feels comfortable and finding new opportunities that you wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.
One major risk I took was deciding to move to Los Angeles for college. Coming from a small town, it felt like a huge leap. But I knew that if I stayed in my comfort zone, I wouldn’t be able to reach my full potential. I took the risk of being far from home, adapting to a new environment, and pursuing dreams that seemed too big to achieve.
For me, risk-taking is about having faith in yourself, even when others may doubt you. It’s about trusting that your hard work will pay off, even when you can’t yet see the outcome. Every risk I’ve taken has been a step toward becoming the person I want to be, and I know that each decision, no matter how risky it seems, helps me grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brissarojas04.wixsite.com/brissarojas
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brissa_rojass
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brissa-rojas-45bb1724b/
