About Me
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I am currently preparing for law school with a long-term interest in advocacy-centered legal work, systems analysis, and public impact. After nearly two decades working in marketing, graphic design, and strategic communication roles, I found myself increasingly drawn toward work that involved deeper problem-solving, meaningful advocacy, and engagement with systems that directly shape people’s lives.
My professional background strengthened my skills in communication, leadership, strategic thinking, and organizational problem-solving while reinforcing the importance of intentional, purpose-driven work. As my academic and professional goals evolved, law became a natural extension of the work I was already drawn toward: navigating complexity, advocating effectively, and creating meaningful impact through thoughtful analysis and leadership.
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Throughout both my professional and academic experiences, I have consistently been drawn to work that combines strategy, communication, leadership, and meaningful responsibility. I am most energized in environments that require critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to navigate complexity with intention.
My experiences across marketing, leadership, advocacy, and community involvement have reinforced the importance of sustainability alongside ambition. I value work that is intellectually engaging, grounded in real-world impact, and aligned with long-term growth, both professionally and personally. Whether through communication, systems-focused work, or community advocacy, I am motivated by opportunities to contribute thoughtfully and create lasting value.
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My path to this point has been shaped less by a perfectly linear plan and more by experience, adaptation, and intentional growth over time. Earlier stages of my life and career were heavily focused on stability, responsibility, and responding to immediate demands, experiences that ultimately strengthened my resilience, adaptability, and long-term perspective.
Returning to complete my undergraduate degree became more than an academic milestone; it became an opportunity to reevaluate the kind of work, impact, and future I wanted to build moving forward. As I continued balancing professional responsibilities, leadership roles, advocacy work, and family life, my interests increasingly shifted toward law, systems-based problem-solving, and advocacy-centered work. Rather than representing a complete reinvention, this direction feels like a natural evolution of the experiences, skills, and values that have consistently shaped my work over time.
CliftonStrengths Top 5
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Confident in my judgment and comfortable navigating uncertainty, I tend to approach challenges with independence, initiative, and a strong internal sense of direction.
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I communicate directly, take initiative naturally, and work well in environments that require leadership, decisiveness, and the ability to move conversations or ideas forward.
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Driven by growth and high standards, I am motivated by continuous improvement and a desire to consistently produce strong, meaningful work.
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I naturally analyze patterns, anticipate outcomes, and evaluate multiple paths forward, especially in situations involving complexity, systems, or long-term planning.
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I thrive in environments that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and big-picture thinking, often generating new ideas, connections, and alternative perspectives quickly.
Patterns and Strengths
Myers-Briggs Personality Type
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The INTP profile reinforced many of the same themes that emerged throughout my professional experience and other assessments: strategic thinking, curiosity, independence, adaptability, and a strong preference for meaningful, systems-oriented work. Combined with my background in communication, leadership, and advocacy, these traits continue to shape the way I approach problem-solving, learning, and long-term professional growth.
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I tend to think independently, process ideas internally, and work best in environments that allow space for reflection, focus, and thoughtful analysis.
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I am naturally drawn to big-picture thinking, conceptual ideas, and exploring possibilities beyond immediate circumstances or routine processes.
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I naturally analyze patterns, anticipate outcomes, and evaluate multiple paths forward, especially in situations involving complexity, systems, or long-term planning.
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I prefer adaptability and flexibility over rigid structure, allowing me to respond thoughtfully as ideas, challenges, and opportunities evolve.
VIA Character Strengths Top 5
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I value connection, perspective, and the ability to bring lightness into difficult or high-pressure situations. Humor helps me build relationships, create approachability, and maintain resilience through challenge.
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I am naturally driven to ask questions, explore ideas deeply, and better understand the systems, people, and environments around me. Curiosity consistently shapes both my academic interests and professional growth.
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I am willing to step into uncertainty, advocate for what matters, and approach difficult situations directly, even when the outcome is unclear or uncomfortable.
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I am highly observant of quality, creativity, and thoughtful execution, whether in communication, leadership, design, or everyday experiences. I value work that reflects intention, depth, and craftsmanship.
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Relationships, loyalty, and meaningful connection are central to how I approach both life and work. I value environments built on trust, support, and genuine investment in others.
VIA Character Strengths Top 5
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I am drawn to environments that encourage creativity, communication, innovation, and the ability to approach problems from multiple perspectives. My background in graphic design and strategic communication reflects a longstanding interest in creative and conceptual work.
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I naturally gravitate toward leadership, initiative, and work that involves strategy, direction-setting, and influencing outcomes. I am most energized in environments that combine responsibility, problem-solving, and meaningful impact.
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Connection, advocacy, and people-centered work are central to the way I approach both leadership and professional growth. I value collaboration, communication, and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to individuals and communities.
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Together, these interest areas reflect a strong alignment between creativity, leadership, communication, and advocacy-centered work. The combination of Artistic, Enterprising, and Social interests reinforces my preference for environments that balance strategic thinking with meaningful human impact, particularly roles involving problem-solving, leadership, communication, and systems-oriented work.
Built Through Experience
Leadership in Practice
Leadership became less about titles and more about stepping into gaps, creating structure, and solving problems collaboratively. I work best in fast-paced environments that require adaptability, initiative, and strong communication.
Strategic Communication
Nearly two decades of experience in graphic design, branding, and marketing strategy strengthened my interest in communication, organizational growth, and systems-oriented problem-solving. My background combines creative thinking with strategic analysis and leadership-focused communication.
Advocacy & Access
Navigating disability-related educational, medical, and community systems strengthened my interest in advocacy and support-centered work. Those experiences reinforced the importance of accessibility, communication, and representation.
Systems & Strategy
I am naturally drawn to environments that require strategic thinking, adaptability, and complex problem-solving. My interests consistently center around communication, systems, leadership, and work that creates meaningful long-term impact.
Client-Focused Problem Solving
More than 25 years of customer-facing experience strengthened my ability to communicate effectively, adapt quickly, and remain solutions-focused in high-pressure environments. Working closely with people in fast-paced settings reinforced the importance of resilience, responsiveness, and strong interpersonal skills.
Community & Coalition
Serving on the board of directors for FUSE and participating in statewide disability advocacy efforts strengthened my interest in community-centered leadership and systems-level impact. I value work rooted in collaboration, advocacy, and meaningful connection.
Creativity is not accomplished by the intellect, but by the play instince - Carl Jung
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Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bracery will - James Stephens
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Pay attention to the things you are naturally drawn to. They are often connected to your path, passion, and purpose in life. Have the courage to follow them. - Ruben Chavez
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The world will ask you who you are, and if you do not know, the world will tell you - Carl Jung
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Creativity is not accomplished by the intellect, but by the play instince - Carl Jung 〰️ Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bracery will - James Stephens 〰️ Pay attention to the things you are naturally drawn to. They are often connected to your path, passion, and purpose in life. Have the courage to follow them. - Ruben Chavez 〰️ The world will ask you who you are, and if you do not know, the world will tell you - Carl Jung 〰️
I WAS NEVER MEANT TO STAY STILL
Exploring multiple future paths helped me realize that fulfillment is less about finding one perfect answer and more about recognizing the environments, challenges, and kinds of work that consistently align with who I am. Even across very different possibilities, the same themes continued to emerge: growth, communication, advocacy, creativity, leadership, meaningful impact, and intentional living.
Law Advocacy & Criminal Defense
The Places I’m Meant to Grow
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What draws me most to criminal defense and advocacy work is the human side of the legal system. Criminal defense exists in environments where communication, preparation, strategy, and trust matter deeply, often during some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life. I am drawn to the idea of work that requires both analytical thinking and the ability to advocate clearly and effectively for others within complex systems.
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Legal and advocacy work appeals to me because it operates at the intersection of policy, institutions, and real human impact. The legal system influences nearly every aspect of society, from individual rights to accessibility, accountability, and opportunity. I am especially interested in work connected to navigating complicated systems, helping people understand their options, and contributing to processes that require careful thought, responsibility, and ethical decision-making.
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The legal field appeals to me because it combines structure, strategy, communication, research, and continuous learning within fast-moving and intellectually demanding environments. I enjoy work that requires preparation, critical analysis, adaptability, and the ability to think through complex situations from multiple perspectives. More than anything, I am drawn toward work that feels purposeful, mentally engaging, and connected to meaningful real-world outcomes.
Nonprofit Leadership & Community Advocacy
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What draws me most to nonprofit and community-centered work is the opportunity to help create systems, programs, and environments that directly support people and families. Nonprofit leadership often requires balancing advocacy, communication, organization, and long-term vision while remaining deeply connected to the real-world needs of a community. I am especially drawn toward work that creates meaningful opportunities for inclusion, accessibility, and support.
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Nonprofit organizations operate in environments where collaboration, adaptability, and mission-driven leadership matter deeply. The work often involves bringing together people, resources, and ideas in ways that create measurable impact for others. I am particularly interested in leadership roles that combine strategic thinking, communication, advocacy, and organizational growth while remaining rooted in meaningful service and community connection.
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What appeals to me most about this path is the ability to contribute to work that continues creating impact beyond individual moments or projects. Community advocacy and nonprofit leadership both require long-term thinking, relationship-building, and the ability to navigate complex social and organizational challenges thoughtfully. I am drawn toward work that feels collaborative, purpose-driven, and connected to improving experiences and opportunities for others over time.
Strategic Communication & Consulting
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What draws me most to strategic communication and consulting work is the opportunity to help organizations communicate more clearly, grow intentionally, and solve complex challenges effectively. Communication strategy exists at the intersection of leadership, problem-solving, collaboration, and long-term planning, requiring both creativity and analytical thinking. I am especially interested in work that helps organizations build stronger systems, clearer messaging, and more meaningful connections with the people they serve.
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Consulting and communication-centered work appeal to me because they require adaptability, critical thinking, and the ability to navigate evolving challenges across different environments and industries. The work often involves identifying patterns, improving systems, developing strategy, and helping organizations move forward more intentionally. I am particularly drawn toward environments that combine collaboration, leadership, innovation, and meaningful problem-solving.
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I thrive in environments that balance creativity, communication, leadership, and systems-thinking. Work that allows me to solve problems strategically, build meaningful initiatives, and continuously adapt to new challenges aligns closely with both my experience and the kind of future I want to continue building long-term.