We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Adrian Vasquez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Adrian below.
Hi Adrian, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
One of the risks is taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) to pursue my dream of becoming an attorney. My journey began in the Fall of 2018 when I finished my bachelor’s degree at Long Beach State University (CSULB). I returned to college after having an extended sabbatical in my life at age 43. I was not content with my current employment where I worked in a non-profit organization. It may have been rewarding helping people to reintegrate back into society however, I felt I needed a career that would make me happy and be able to give back. One day I was having a conversation with my mentor and friend Dr. James Binnall, attorney and professor at CSULB, and he asked, “What’s after the bachelor’s degree why don’t you become an attorney?” I said, “Why not” and the seed was planted. So, I found myself taking a prep course for the LSAT. I took a “cold” practice exam. It all seemed like a foreign language. There was a section called logical games and had a hypothetical where it talked about an order of bakers baking cookies and bread on a given day. If baker A and B cook on Monday, baker D can’t cook on Saturday. I was confused and lost, questioning what the heck does this have to do with law school. Thereafter, I took the first LSAT and scored terribly with a low score. I was hesitant to apply to law schools because of my low score. However, my stubbornness would not let me give in and I applied. I thought to myself, let them say no. I did not want to live with the memory that I didn’t try out of fear. In the coming months, I was denied in every law school I applied to. It hurt me and I questioned if I am cut out for this. Then in 2020, the pandemic hit, and the world changed. I was going to study for the LSAT to try again yet I paused. It was not until my former colleague, Cheng, from the California Community Foundation (CCF), mentioned a fellowship called LEAP, Legal Education Access Pipeline, which diversifies the legal profession by preparing underrepresented students to become successful law school applicants and lawyers. The fire was reignited and the fellowship walked me through the steps needed to succeed in the admissions process for law school. So, there I am retaking the LSAT and applying for Fall 2022. I was losing hope as I was getting denials and waitlisted from multiple law schools and the miracle happened in the Summer of 2022, I was accepted to Southwestern Law School’s part-time evening program. I cried with joy and happiness that I was one step closer to becoming a law student and attorney. I can proudly say I am now a rising second-year law student.
Adrian, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I work for the Roy & Patricia Disney Family Foundation (RPDFF) where the Foundation is committed to social justice and addressing the historical inequities that plague many lower-income communities. As their program associate, I bring the uniqueness of my lived experience of growing up in the very same marginalized communities we are funding. I understand the community and what their needs are to better allocate these funds.
It was not easy to get where I am on a professional level. I had a huge pause in my life which landed me with a background and constantly being stigmatized for my past. It has hindered me in obtaining certain types of employment which involve licensing, housing, being judged, and dating. Fortunately, I have been able to surround myself with positive peers who helped me to transition back into society and excel.
Lessons learned, your past does not define who you are today if you continue to make positive changes in your life. Transformation comes within and never see yourself as a failure. One must endure pain to learn and grow to become a better person. I realized surrounding yourself with a core of positive people who care and believe in you will help you to achieve change and your goals. Never be afraid to ask for help.
I live by a mantra, “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop.”
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One of my favorite quotes was given to me when I was 21 years old by a mentor of mine. He told me, “You know what makes you a failure when you fail to correct a mistake or are afraid to try.” Those words to this day resonate in my life and have a special meaning to me. We have all made mistakes in life, and some cannot be repaired, however, I feel we have the power to either make amends or make changes. There have been moments where I felt I gave up or did not do enough and the feelings of failure set in. Yet, looking back I realized I did not fail I did use all options available to either change or make those amends. That is when I realized I am not a failure, but a person who can face challenges and find a way to accept and overcome them.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn to never allow negative thoughts and people to be part of my life and circle. I had to learn the hard way there will be people who come into our lives to teach us a lesson. They may be there for a moment and may hurt us emotionally yet we take from that life experience and learn and grow from it. We are all human. In the very end live life to the fullest and cherish your family, loved ones and most of all love yourself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: adrianva89_
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