Jennifer Enriquez Blog

A Journey Through College
June 1, 2020

College was my first step in gaining independence since I would no longer rely on my parents. I had received enough scholarships to cover my tuition and dorm, I had a job and since I was a first-generation college student I was navigating college on my own. 

I had so many questions about college life and no one in my family went to college so I had nobody to ask. Luckily, I had my LSYWC mentors. They told me about their greek life experiences, about the clubs they had joined, about their roommate stories and so much more. Later on, in my college career, I had to make choices like changing my major, adding minors, and choosing between internships. They were there for me to help me make the right decisions for myself. These four years they've been there for me through rough times and good times. I couldn't be more thankful for their mentorship and friendship. They have definitely been the best part of being a LSYWC scholar. 

LSYWC has also helped me develop personally and professionally. My favorite workshop was the "Success, Derailment & Emotional Intelligence" workshop. Before this workshop, we were able to take an Emotional Quotient Inventory test as well as the Myer Briggs Type Indicator personality test. Then during the workshop, we discussed our results and what they meant. I learned more about my strengths and weaknesses then contemplated on how I can work on my weaknesses. As well as how I can use my strengths to my advantage in the workplace. 

LSYWC also helped me develop professionally by giving me the opportunity to apply and become an intern at Molson Coors Brewing Company. It was an experience I will never forget, I learned about different things like various legal terms, international governance practices, marketing, and more. I met amazing people who mentored me throughout the internship and gave me advice for the future. They also allowed me to attend different networking events every week where I practiced my networking skills and asked different professionals about their jobs and experiences. Furthermore, I learned about balancing individual projects and group projects.  

Now I am a senior at the University of Denver majoring in Finance and minoring in Leadership and Business Information and Analytics. I will be graduating on June 13, 2020, so I am currently in the process of job searching. In the future, I'm also hoping to pursue a Masters of Business Administration. I'm looking forward to what the future holds. 

An Insightful Journey
July 2, 2019

While I was in high school, college seemed like a distant or impossible dream. Society and the stereotypes and statistics were always telling me that as a Latina of a lower economic status, college was a distant possibility. They said it was going to be extremely hard and that I would never be able to afford a school like my dream school: The University of Denver. I never let that put me down and I made my dream come true. Yes, I admit my first quarter was very difficult but I didn’t give up, I began as a Computer Science major and that was very hard. A lot of students in my class had a background in programming and coding and I came in with zero knowledge. Then, because Computer Science is in the Engineering department I had to take regular calculus which I unlike my other peers I did not take in high school. Although I was only 40 minutes away from home and my best friend came to the same college as me, I began to feel lost and alone. I’m a first-generation student and I had no idea what to expect from college but my LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can (LSYWC) mentors were there for me from the very start and answered my endless questions and made me feel better. I was able to talk to them not only about grades and schoolwork but I also about my culture shock as a Latina in a predominantly white institution. Furthermore, I also knew nothing about Greek life but I knew I wanted to be the first in my entire extended family to join one so I went for it and pledged to the finest ladies of Pi Lambda Chi. The process was very difficult and overwhelming but I remember receiving a text from one of my mentors when I was about to give up, wishing me good luck and telling me that I could do it so I kept going and I’m really glad I did or else I know I would’ve regretted giving up. 

LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can (LSYWC) has also provided me with knowledge I a very thankful for and appreciate at this time of the year. I am starting to apply for internships, jobs, summer classes etc. and through LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can (LSYWC) this has been made easier thanks to the workshops. I didn’t know what a cover letter was or how to write one but in a recent workshop I was provided with the skills needed to complete one and successfully apply to internships and jobs. They have also provided me with interview skills and so much more. 

My first year of college has definitely been a journey I won’t ever forget and I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of my mentors and LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can (LSYWC). With their help I know that I will make my dreams come true and be the first in my family to obtain a college degree.

“Sí, Se Puede” is a phrase born of farmworkers, who, under the leadership of the UFW, César Chávez, and Dolores Huerta, fought valiantly for equal protection under the law. As a result of the efforts of the UFW, “Sí, Se Puede” has become well known as a call that engenders hope and inspiration in those who face similar battles. We thank the UFW, whom we acknowledge to be the sole and exclusive owner of the Trademark SI SE PUEDE, for granting us a limited license to use“Sí, Se Puede” in connection with our efforts to recruit, in Colorado, students of Hispanic or Latino descent for our law school pipeline program. For more information about the programs offered by the UFW, please see UFW’s webpage (www.ufw.org); UFW Foundation’s webpage (www.ufwfoundation.org); and UFWF’s immigration services webpage (www.sisepuede.org)