Describe your personal, educational, and professional experiences and how they informed your decision to pursue a graduate degree.
As a child, I was able to experience the process of my parents becoming lawful permanent residents. It was a very emotional process for me, because although I was very small, I still knew the resulting possibilities. However, it was a strengthening experience for all of us. I feel very fortunate for having the parents and siblings that I have because they’ve all shown me what sacrifice is like. My parents, most of all, have shown me that we are in control of our own lives and of our own circumstances. It is because of them that I ultimately decided to attend graduate school. I want to show them that I am grateful and aware of the sacrifices they made for me; and that I want to do for others what their attorney did for them. We must lend a helping hand to one another.
What challenges did you encounter along your educational trajectory? How did you overcome those challenges?
As a Latina student I encountered many obstacles along my educational career and they began when I was very small. I remember being in the 6th grade and my teacher asking me why I was upset for having earned a 3+ (B+) in one of my subjects. I told her that I wanted a 4 (A). She told me that a 3+ was more than enough. I also remember that it took 8 years for me to be tested for G.A.T.E. I can only assume why it took so long but I would rather remain silent on that topic. I remember being in 10th grade and asking my honors math teacher if I could move to the advanced version of the class. She told me she didn’t think I could handle it. In college, my political science professor explicitly told me she thought my chosen major was a “dumb” major and suggested I major in math. All along I knew I could do anything I set my mind to, so I pushed and pulled until I reached my goals.
What advice do you have for individuals who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree?
My advice would be to always remember why you are pursuing a graduate degree. Don’t ever let that reason be tainted by external influences or trivial factors. If you’re pursuing a graduate degree simply because of the income you might obtain in the future, you’re doing it for all the wrong reasons. You must be passionate about what you are studying.
What did you enjoy most about your graduate/professional program?
I am currently still in a graduate program, but I am enjoying the challenges I am facing. Graduate school may be very difficult for some or very manageable for others. For me it is manageable as of right now, but I can’t deny that I face challenges. I love being intellectually challenged because it only benefits me in the long run.
Itzayary is currently a paralegal for the county of Los Angeles. She helps self-represented litigants with their documents and informs them about their legal process. Itzayary’s goal is to become an attorney, in the future, so that she can continue to help underrepresented litigants.
