“For as long as I can remember, it’s been my dream to go to law school. My parents are from other countries and Spanish was my first language. I am also the mother of a six-year-old son. These identities have shaped my goals as an aspiring attorney. I have always known that I wanted to help people—especially those who have a harder time getting access to help. I’ve tailored my education towards achieving that goal: My bachelor’s degree is in criminal justice and pre-law, and I earned a master’s degree in public administration, government and public policy.

Last year, I worked with the Salt Lake Legal Defenders Association in the criminal appellate division. This year, I am working in criminal appeals in the Utah Attorney General’s Office. I have found that there’s no better experience than having an opportunity to practice what you are learning in class in the real world.

I want to focus my career on victims’ rights. I believe that my experience in criminal defense gave me a critical view of prosecution that will shape how I approach my work. As a prosecutor, I have a duty to the victim and the state, but I also have a duty to the defendant and the fair application of justice. It’s important to me to approach the law in a way that treats people as people.

When I share my story, my life sounds far more complicated than it is, and it’s just not. I am OK. My son is OK. And everything is going to be OK and work out. I know that’s not the case for everyone in my position, but I do know if you are determined and surround yourself with good people, things will work out.

I have achieved my goals by focusing on taking things step-by-step, rather than worrying about the big picture. I think sometimes people stop their dreams because they worry about what fulfilling them will require. But I try to just worry about what I need to do tomorrow, and then it all comes together in the end.

My advice to other parents who want to continue their education is don’t compare yourself to anyone else. As parents, our priorities are different, you simply need to do what is in the best interest of both you and your child. It may be hard, but in my experience, my son is so proud of me. He has been a part of almost all of my education. Because of this, he dreams about education and possibility in a way that was bigger than I ever did, and that alone makes everything worth it.”

— Paulina Barboza, a third-year law student at the S. J. Quinney College of Law