My name is Miguel and although I am from Lima, Peru, Virginia has become my adopted home for many years at this point. Having grown up and been educated in Peru, my exposure to the world was limited until I came to the University. At UVA, I graduated with a double major in History & Latin American Studies, and a minor in French. After UVA, I went to Stanford for graduate school and after a few years working in international development and wind energy logistics in Latin America, I decided to change career paths and pursue a career in law. After graduating from Columbia Law, I clerked for a federal judge, a fellow UVA alum, at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and currently, I work at a large international law firm in Washington D.C. as an antitrust attorney. I am also an avid traveler, having visited over 70 countries.
How did your time at UVA influence your path and help shape your professional journey?
UVA was my introduction to the world and I took advantage of that to the fullest. I participated in three UVA-sponsored study abroad programs – Brazil, Morocco, and Spain, which not only shaped my worldview, but also dictated the first decade of my career. Prof. David Haberly, a legendary Brazilianist who taught at the University for decades, connected me with a former student of his who needed someone fluent in Spanish and Portuguese to help him expand his Charlottesville-based freight forwarder to Latin America.
Are there lessons or values from your UVA experience that continue to guide you in your career and life today?
At UVA, I felt that there was very little hand-holding and academics were tough, especially when everyone seemed to be extremely smart. With the guidance of excellent professors in the Latin American Studies department such as Professor Roquinaldo Ferreira and Professor Milton Vickerman, many of whom have remained my mentors, I was fortunate to develop a strong work ethic and pushed myself academically in ways I did not realize I could. I also made it my goal to acquire fluency in various languages and was able to develop a deep appreciation for different cultures. As an attorney, these skills have helped me shape my practice and more easily relate to my international clients.
What advice would you give to current students on building strong connections and creating a supportive community around them?
While at UVA, I was a strong believer that academics were paramount to everything else, and I wish I had allowed myself to become more involved. Although academics are obviously important, especially if one has graduate or professional school aspirations, developing leadership skills is just as important. In the professional world, your smarts only take you so far, and the rest is made up of your soft skills. Develop genuine and deep connections with your classmates. In my experience, having attended other world-class institutions, UVA has without a doubt the most loyal and devoted alumni base that I have encountered. Don’t be afraid of tapping into this network – I assure you that alums will be more than happy to serve as a mentor or at the very least, a sounding board. I remember meeting Gina Flores, a wonderful Latina alum at La Gala, the now defunct event run by the University, which brought together Latinx alums, current Latinx students, and admitted Latinx students, and grabbing coffee with her at her office. Gina not only guided me when I arrived at a crossroads in my career, but was instrumental in getting me involved in the Bolívar Network – an organization dear to my heart, which seeks to foster stronger bonds between Latinx alums with students.
As a member of the board and a believer in the power of connections, I’m donating to the Bolívar Network today, and I encourage you to join me in supporting our community.