Bestselling author Sharon Abaud knows small steps can get people over big hurdles
Sharon Abaud remembers immigration being a regular topic at her family’s table. So from an early age she determined that she would become a immigration lawyer. “I come from a family of immigrants and I just knew it was a place where people needed help. Maybe I didn’t know exactly what immigration law was when I was young, but I was drawn to it because I knew it was a way I could help people.”
What she also didn’t understand as a kid was how the structure of education in the U.S. is not set up for first-generation students. “I was getting straight As and everything was so easy for me. My parents didn’t know about honors classes or AP classes or any of that—and I didn’t know about them. How is it that no teacher ever told me to take the AP classes?” Sharon asks. “I didn’t know I was supposed to study for the SAT. I did research on my own—like, “how do I go to college?”—and I found out I had to take the SAT, so I showed up, no studying, and just did the best I could. I went to a good law school and I ended up being a lawyer, but these are all obstacles that make it more challenging for minorities. My parents love me and they were so supportive, but they didn’t have that knowledge to assist me with these things. And the teachers failed me too. Those are the kinds of obstacles that a lot of us face, but don’t let that be an excuse. That’s not an excuse. You still just keep doing your best.”
Her parents may not have known about AP class, but her father gave Sharon a key piece of advice at a critical time. “I actually started to say that I didn’t want to do law because I started to doubt myself and to think that it wasn’t possible. One day I told my dad, ‘I don’t have what it takes to be a lawyer, I don’t know anything about law.’ And he said, ‘Sharon, no one knows anything when they start. You’re just where you need to be if that’s what you want to do.’ That just really resonated. Now it’s what I tell myself every time I take on a new challenging case or goal. Nothing feels too scary because I know that I’m going to figure it out, right? We’re just taking one step in front of the other.”
This persevering mindset helped when she didn’t pass the bar exam the first time, and it helps now, as she navigates owning her own firm and being the mom of two toddler girls. She advises other women that if any goal seems too big, too far away, too daunting, just start somewhere. “Break down that big goal and ask yourself, ‘What can I do today to get this started? What is one step that I can take?’ It’s usually something small, maybe it’s just research, but make yourself do something today. Because if you don’t, it becomes a fantasy. It’s not real.”
Read more of Sharon Abaud’s story in the inspiring new book Latinas Who Boss Up. “These boss ladies are truly inspiring, sharing their breakthroughs and triumphs for all of us to experience,” says author, educator, and podcaster Tam Luc. “Latinas Who Boss Up taught me more about a mix of cultures that I never stopped to examine. While our origin stories vary, we all experience life in full color and must navigate our circumstances. These beautiful women represent the world of Latina Supermamas and I am so happy to introduce them to you.” You can learn more about all of the featured women at https://bossupbestseller.com, where you will find a link to Latinas Who Boss Up.
Sharon’s law firm is at abaudlegal.com, where you will find her blog and links to videos about immigration issues. She also is on LinkedIn under her name, Sharon Abaud.
About Women with Vision International
Women with Vision International aims to inspire, uplift, and empower women everywhere to never give up their dream of living their life on purpose. We gather dynamic, entrepreneurial women who are making a difference and changing people’s lives to spark conversation around the topics that impact us all such as building their businesses, fundraising, and balancing their work and their families.
About Tam Luc
Tam Luc is an international bestselling author and the founder of Women with Vision International who shares the triumphs, stress, and struggles of balancing her life to help women grow their businesses. After 20 years as an entrepreneur, she is able to help women leverage their messages and create the lifestyle they want through her unique book messaging strategies. Hear from some of the amazing entrepreneurs who have worked with Tam at https://womenbossupsummit.com/virtualsummit
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