When I was in Elementary School, I vividly remember my 5th grade teacher asking 10-year-old me what my dream job was so that she could enter it into the yearbook. Most people around me stared blankly at that section of the questionnaire, understandably unsure of what they wanted to do for the rest of their lives. At that point in our lives, the only thoughts in our heads were what show was going to be on Disney Channel when we got home, or what we were going to snack on before soccer practice. As heads turned and pencils stalled, I didn’t hesitate—I wrote “lawyer,” certain even then, of the path I hoped to follow. I wish I could go back in time and tell little Yese that this wasn’t just a space filler, and that this was truly what I would end up pursuing!
Even though I am sure this question in the yearbook was meant to be a cute little memento to look back on, I often think back to this moment and wonder what came over me to write that profession. I can’t remember thinking deeply about what I wanted to do in the future, just that from a young age, I knew I wanted to work in an area that allowed me to help the most vulnerable people around me. The extent to which I could provide assistance at that age was through translations (Spanish to English and vice versa), but I think young me knew that my destiny would eventually call me to do this at the highest level I could, which has now manifested into my intended career of being an immigration lawyer!
Growing up in Pennsylvania, I was mainly surrounded by non-minorities. Because of that, when I was deciding on what college to go to, the main characteristic of whatever college I chose was that it had to be in a big city with diversity. For me, the only way to fully immerse myself in the career I wanted to go into was to experience it firsthand. Through Pace, I have been able to gain access to opportunities that have allowed me to work with so many immigrants. One of the first classes I ever took at Pace was centered around Immigration and Society through a professor that had us research immigration organizations in New York City that we could volunteer at if we felt the urge. I ended up volunteering at an immigration organization that I continue to go to even in my Junior Year.
I entered college with my intended major being Political Science because that it what I felt would best prepare me for law school. This year, however, after going to an event for ending immigration detention in New York City, I was introduced to the Peace and Justices studies major by one of the adjunct professors. It sounded right up my alley of wanting to work in the realm of social justice, so after taking an introduction to Peace & Justice Studies class, I immediately added the major!
Looking back, it is clear that my ten-year-old self wasn’t just guessing what career she wanted to be in – she was actually spot on. Every step I’ve taken since then—from choosing a diverse city for college, to volunteering with immigration organizations, to shifting my academic path to better align with my social justice values—has reaffirmed that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be at Pace! There is still much ahead of me, like the inevitably scary law school experience, but I think the past young me would be proud to see how far I’ve come, and be excited for what is still to come in the future!