WHILE their numbers are growing, still there are few Filipinos in management positions in the US government service. Mrs. Rosueta Rodriguez is one of them. The Human Services Administrator at the Food Stamp Program Section since 2005, Rosueta has been an Acting Program Assistant in the Central Help Line Section at the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) headquarters in the City of Industry since September 2001.
Born and raised in the Philippines, Rosueta graduated in 1983 from the St. Paul College of Manila with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree, with a major in Business Administration. She immigrated to the United States in October 1998. Her husband is Orlando Rodriguez, who is connected with Philippine Airlines. They have two children: Daniele and David. They live in Fontana, California.
Mrs. Rodriguez has had extensive experience in the airline industry having worked in various capacities for Philippine Airlines (May 1990 - December 1998) and United Airlines (December 1998 - May 1999).
Her county service started in May 1999 when she was hired as an Eligibility Worker I (EW I) in the Child Medi-Cal Enrollment Program. She was promoted to a EW II position in Medi-Cal Long Term Care in May 2000 where she participated in the Certificate in Public Administration Program at UC Davis. She presented DPSS Health and Nutrition Outreach Program in various district offices.
Mrs. Rodriguez was promoted to GAIN Services Worker (GSW) in GAIN Region IV in December 2000. As a GSW, she was designated at a lead worker and functioned as back up to the GAIN Services Supervisor (GSS). She helped train new hires and received an award for naming the new GAIN computer system, Active Case Management for Employment and Supportive Services (better known as ACES).
While employed by DPSS, she worked part time as a store supervisor for Time Depot in Rancho Cucamonga’s Victoria Gardens Mall.
In September 2001, Mrs. Rodriguez became an Acting Program Assistant in the DPSS Central Help Line Section at DPSS headquarters in the City of Industry. In this capacity, she assisted participants with individual case problems which were not resolved at the district level, responded to official and special inquiries on various issues related to the case management, and made recommendations for the resolution of problems related to the administration of public assistance programs.
When asked what she attributed to her rapid rise through the ranks to a management position in DPSS, she said, “ I believe I got my attitude beneath my wings. I look at the glass as half-full rather than half-empty. For our kababayans …the right attitude, rather than being negative, will help you to do everything better. But attitude will only get you so far; you must build the right skills. It’s never too late to hone your oral, written, and electronic communication skills. Along with attitude and skills, you must have a plan of action. Plan ahead: borrow or buy study guide books (these are investments), study/review ahead of time, and do your networking by asking your co-workers or kababayans for some pointers or help. Don’t carry the “bahala na attitude;” and don’t put your fate on the saying “kung uukol, bubukol.” Take pride in being a Filipino-American who’s not afraid to go the distance.”
Based on her admirable track record both in and out of county service, Mrs. Rodriguez has proven to be an invaluable asset to the department and to the community she is serving.
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