Then and Now

I was 25 years old, with a new baby, and had increasingly become disillusioned with the legal system in Peru, where I had been an attorney. It was no longer fulfilling. Before completely giving up on the legal field, I decided to enroll in SLCC's Paralegal Studies program as an international student to see if it sparked anything. It did. It reignited my interest and love for the law; I knew this was the right path for me.

Every single professor played an important role for me; I was learning from lawyers, prosecutors, judges—all who taught classes in the program. They inspired me as professionals and as teachers and really encouraged me. They saw more than what I saw in myself. Ultimately, I found my mentor: my immigration law professor.

The classes were small and it was so evident that the faculty cared about their students. I was able to take most of the classes in the evening so I could balance other responsibilities.

I went on to earn a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from Brigham Young University. Now I have my own law firm and, as an immigration attorney, I strive to keep families together and help people through some of their darkest times. It's a huge responsibility, but I get to change lives that impact generations.

I also teach Immigration Law at SLCC. Now I get to be that professor who makes a difference. I receive letters from students who say "you've inspired me to want to go to law school."

"Often, things will be harder before they get better. Remain strong, be willing to ask for help, and trust the process."

Advice

Stop running and always trying to check boxes, sometimes to please other people. Instead, be still and reflect on what is your calling. Only you can find it. Your path may be difficult, and sometimes you'll want to give up, but treat the things life throws at you as lessons, not setbacks. Learn from it — then you'll grow from the experience.

Often, things will be harder before they get better. Remain strong, be willing to ask for help, and trust the process.