I was born and raised in Carolina, Puerto Rico. I have a huge family on both sides from all across Puerto Rico, and we love to spend time together every time I go back. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree and immediately moved to Washington, D.C. in June 2017. Moving to Washington was a world of firsts for me–my first time living on my own, my first time seeing snow, and even my first time ever being in the District.
What is your academic/professional history?
I graduated summa cum laude from University of Sacred Heart (Universidad del Sagrado Corazón) in Puerto Rico with a BA in general communications and a minor in public relations. Currently I am working on my MPS in public relations and corporate communications from Georgetown University. Before interning in different government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, I was a junior account executive for 3.14 Public Relations, where I worked with everything from event planning, to writing for press, social media, image consulting, and promotions. I started working as a program specialist here at the Law Library of Congress in June 2018.
How would you describe your job (or research project) to other people?
I promote the Law Library of Congress and all of its services through different channels, including events, social media, and traditional media. We also create promotional materials for the Law Library such as photography, handouts, giveaways, and writing. I write for In Custodia Legis, the blog where you are reading this interview and where I contribute my outsider’s perspective on law topics, since I’m not a lawyer.
Why did you want to work at the Law Library?
I worked at the Library of Congress previously as an intern in the Learning and Innovation Office, formerly known as Educational Outreach. During my time as an intern, I realized that I really loved the culture of working at the Library of Congress and when I saw an opportunity to come back, I jumped on it immediately. In addition, I find it fascinating to learn about the history of the space I set foot in every day, and the different backgrounds of people that you meet while working here is truly magnificent.
What is the most interesting fact you’ve learned about the Law Library of Congress?
Definitely the most interesting fact for me about the Law Library so far is that the span of the collection, which is roughly around 3 million items, is enough to fill two football fields in closed stacks.
What’s something most of your co-workers do not know about you?
I’m not quite sure if anyone outside my dear team at the Office of External Relations knows this, but I am a mezzo and a trained musical theater performer. I have been performing as a hobby, with a couple of professional shows that sneaked in there, for almost 10 years. Some of those shows include West Side Story, Cats, Chicago, The Sound of Music, and Aladdin.