Do you dream in Spanish?

Being the daughter of Mexican immigrants, my first language is Spanish.  While I think this is very common, I am continually amazed that other people are surprised by this fact.   Growing up in a non-English speaking home is nothing new to me, and probably nothing new to you.  However, it is unusual for most of the lawyers that I work with and for most of my clients and business colleagues.  Once their surprise has dissipated, many times the next question they ask me is "What language do you dream in?"  The first few times I had not idea how to answer this question- now, I am ready with my response- it depends, if I am speaking with relatives a generation older than I, it is in Spanish, with everybody else it is in English.

Why do I bring this up today?  Today I sat with a young lady and we worked on her law school personal statement.  As she was recounting her pre-college experiences, something prompted me to ask if her parents spoke English-- her response, is the same as mine, their English is very limited and her first language is Spanish.  When I asked her why she had not mentioned that in her personal statement,  she looked perplexed as if to say "It is not big deal, that is not unique."  When I shared with her that many of colleagues would be surprised, she could not believe it.

As children of immigrant parents we overcome unique challenges to make a better life for us and our families in this Country- one of them is learning a new language.  In this college/graduate school application season, do not consider any of the challenges that you have overcome as not worthy of mention.  Overcoming challenges, shows resilience, self-motivation and strength of character- all qualities that any academic institution would be lucky to have.

So...what language do you dream in?

Your Older Sis

Simply...F...U...!

What do you mean "FU?!?"  Yes, follow-up!

Following-up keeps you fresh on somebody else's mind.  We live in a very busy world, where we might not even remember the conversation we had a few hours ago.  If you want to be remembered you must take initiative.

To "follow-up" means to do something that continues what you have already started.  It is not so difficult, the hardest part is to start "the something," when you follow-up you already have the momentum going.  

For example, if you send an email to a potential employer re-stating your interest in a position you applied for, this is following-up.  The email is the "action" that "continues" your pursuit of the job which was "started" by the application you submitted.  A second example is the phone call you make to an Alum you met from a university you are interested in attending and is willing to help you with your application.   Your phone call is the "action" that "continues" your discussion that was "started" by your prior conversation.  

Your follow-up activity keeps you fresh on another person's mind and allows you to go after a potential opportunity to see where it leads.  So...don't be shy...who should you follow-up with this week?

Your Older Sis

A Mixed Bag

Everyday is mixed bag- it has encouraging moments and discouraging moments.  Good news and bad news.  Easy times and challenging times.  One thing that will encourage us to move forward is not letting the bad moments cloud the good moments that happened during our day.  Do not let the bad moments win by focusing on them- this will deplete our momentum and discourage us from moving towards our target.  Know that every day is a mixed bag, the best we can do is learn from those challenging times and work very hard at finding the good moments during our day (small as they might be) and being grateful for them.  In this we will find strength and courage to continue down our journey.

Your Older Sis

Mid-Summer and No Job?!?

I can't believe it is the middle of July- the summer is going by very quickly.  I know some of you students are becoming frustrated because you anticipated having a summer and job and it is mid-summer and still no job.  What to do?

The first thing to do is to answer the following question "Why do you want a summer job?"  There are 2 answers that I typically get to this question-- money and experience.  While it may not seem like it right now, experience may be more important than money.  To get the experience, you may consider going to "work" for a company/organization that you are interested in as an "unpaid intern" if they cannot hire you.  This means that you have the same access/training as their employees, the only difference is that you are not getting paid.

There are many benefits to working as an unpaid intern.  Being an unpaid intern helps you take part in an area that you may be passionate about, it may teach you some skills that you can transfer to another job, it may help build-up your resume, it may give you the opportunity to meet people that can serve as positive references in the future, or it may even open the door to a company/organization that was outside your reach!  Remember... the amount of experience you get and how it benefits you in the future, has nothing to do with how much you get paid today.  There is no shame in working for free, I have not met a single professional that didn't work for free at some point in their life.....so join the club, you will be glad you did!

Your Older Sis

Help....Really??

Yes, Really!  It is ok to ask for help.  Many times we become overwhelmed with our own thoughts/situations and we try to figure things out on our own.  We fail to share our concerns with others that may be able to help---for fear that we will waste their time or that our problems/issues are no big deal.

First off, whatever you are worried about IS a big deal-- and that is ok.  Don't feel bad asking for help.  Chances are that whatever situation you are in, someone else has been in that same situation before...and you can learn from their experience.  Take it from me, it is much easier to just ask someone who knows instead of trying to figure things out on your own.

Your Older Sis

Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project- Sacramento Leadership Conference

Calling all 10th and 11th graders!  The Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project is seeking applicants for their week-long annual conference in Sacramento.   Selected students will participate in powerful workshops and seminars to enhance leadership skills, academic preparedness, self-esteem, cultural awareness and provide an understanding of state and local government.  A visit to the State Capitol is scheduled for students to learn first-hand about the legislative process through mock hearings and personal interaction with legislators. 


Applications are due April 2, 2012 and the conference will take place from July 21-28, 2012. 120 students will be selected without cost to them or to their families.  Students will be housed on the California State University Sacramento campus.  


For more information and to download the application, visit www.clylp.org, call 1-800-MY-CLYLP or email conference@clylp.org.


Good Luck!


Your Older Sis

FAFSA is due on March 2, 2012

Reminder.....Reminder...... the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (otherwise known as FAFSA) is due March 2, 2012 for California initial awards.  This is the document that colleges use to evaluate your financial need and to determine the type of financial aid you qualify for.  This is an extremely important document that will form part of your file in the 2012-2013 school year.

In order to not forfeit your financial aid for next school year, make sure you submit it on time.  I recommend you print the online confirmation page or you obtain proof of mailing form the post office if you decide to mail the form in.

Colleges may have a different deadline for the FAFSA.  Please check with colleges you are interested in attending to verify when they need to receive your FAFSA by.

For more detailed information please check the FAFSA website: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/options.htm

Your Older Sis

Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice- is there a difference?

Thank you for your question. I am so proud of you- we need more female police officers!

As a former Los Angeles Police Commissioner, law enforcement has a very special place in my heart. You ask, "What is the difference between criminal justice and law enforcement?" Since you are in high school and applying to college and for scholarships, you want to make sure you know the difference. Criminal justice focuses on the entire justice system and the role each piece plays in upholding the law and preventing or punishing the violation of it. Parts of the criminal justice system include, police officers, attorneys, courts, punishment (penalties), prisons and rehabilitation. Law enforcement focuses on "enforcing" the law (that is, making sure the law is followed and what to do when it is not). Police officers, sheriffs, FBI/CIA agents are some examples of those who enforce the law. Law enforcement is one part of criminal justice system.

Remember, each school or program you are applying to may have a slightly different definition for criminal justice and law enforcement than the one above. You should research each individual program in order to understand what their definition is. Also, regardless of what you decide to major in, do well. The application process to a law enforcement agency is very competitive and a good GPA will be a huge advantage. Lastly, each law enforcement agency will have its own training program or "academy" that you will have to complete, in addition to your degree. More than likely, a lot of the information you learned in a law enforcement major will be covered at the academy.

I encourage you to pursue your dream- it would be an honor to see you in uniform!

Your Older Sis

Happy New Year- 2012

The new year is always a good time to reflect on where we are and where we want to be. Are we any closer to our goals than we were 1 year ago? If we are, that is great! After all, that is all we can hope for if our goals are long-term goals. If we are not, What went wrong? Do we need more training or more encouragement? Do not lose hope, 2011 was a difficult year for many. Remember, it is never too late to try again. You will never know what is possible, until you attempt the impossible. Wishing you the best in 2012.