Ana Guerrero, chief of staff to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, delivered the keynote address at the fourth annual USC Latino Student Empowerment Conference at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center.

The conference, hosted by Centro Chicano on Jan. 24, was designed to boost academic achievement.

Guerrero, the daughter of Mexican farm workers, shared her career path and advised the audience of students, alumni and staff on how to achieve success.

The first key is hard work.

“By hard work,” she said, “I mean putting in the time to do whatever it is you want to do and to do it well — there are no shortcuts.”

The second key is to expand and nurture your social network.

“I don’t mean over-sharing on social media. I mean get to know people, find common ground through dialogue and by working together — relationships are valuable.”

The final key is civic engagement.

“Create a public life for yourself. Get involved in a community organization, in politics or in a cause that you care about,” said 

Guerrero, who told the audience that civic engagement can make life meaningful.

More stories about: Community Outreach, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Students