LAW STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Monica Ontiveros

Q1. What was your course of study in college at the University of California, Riverside?

I studied Psychology at the University of California, Riverside.

Q2. How did you become interested in pursuing law?

When I took a course during my undergrad career called “psych and law.” After that, I decided I wanted to intern at a firm to see if I liked law. After interning at an immigration law firm for six months, I decided that this is what I wanted to do.

Q3. What steps did you take to prepare for law school?

Before law school, I took a year and a half off. During that time, I worked two jobs and I felt I had no time to socialize. It turned out that it was the best decision [for me] to take time off before going to law school and work. I say this because law school can be tough in the sense that it is a job and requires discipline. So, discipline helped me prepare for law school and its demands.

Q4. How did you find out about CLEO?

I heard about CLEO through my supervisor, Charles Walker, at the City of Temecula.

Q5. What benefits did you receive by participating in the CLEO Pre-Law Summer Institute?

I received a scholarship for books and a generous scholarship packet from the law school that I attended because of CLEO.

Q6. What helped you cope with the stress of law school?

Exercise and being disciplined on a schedule. Have fun but be on schedule and prioritize.

Q7. After law school, what are your legal career plans?

I currently got a job working at an immigration law firm in Seattle, Washington.

Q8. Do you volunteer with any legal organizations?

I did volunteer in legal organizations when I was a part of the Latino/a Law Caucus by partnering up with Northwest Justice Project and Northwest Immigrants’ Rights Project. We gave presentations regarding Constitutional Rights.

Q9. Do you have any advice for future lawyers?

Keep your head up, learn as much as you can, always ask for help, and keep going forward no matter what.

Q10. What is your favorite motivational quote?

“Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt.”

Q11. Anything else you’d like to add?

Work hard and stay humble.