Maria Salazar-Cortes once walked the halls of Bound Brook with high hopes for her future career and plenty of motivation from her peers and teachers who inspired her to dream big before graduating Bound Brook High School in 2013.
Now, Maria is marching toward fulfilling her ultimate goal: becoming a licensed attorney.
The Bound Brook School District is excited to launch a new spotlight series on our talented alumni, who have excelled and broken barriers to become professionals in their field of studies.
Get to know more about Maria:
What is your career/college path?
My current role is at Horizon BCBS as a Paralegal in the Government Programs Legal Department. I obtained my Associates in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies from Raritan Valley Community College. Through my educational and practical experience, I was able to receive an offer of employment. This is particularly exciting for me, as I am currently enrolled at Rutgers in the Bloustein Public Policy program and wanted to find a career within the healthcare industry.
How did Bound Brook prepare you for your future?
Bound Brook is so diverse that it allowed me to be confident with my own diversity. As a Costa Rican native, I always felt like I fit in with my peers.
Did any teachers or staff mentor you along that path?
I love world languages, so naturally, my language class was my favorite class. I would like to recognize Mr. Abd for always making French class fun and interactive. To this day, I still practice my French and look for moments to connect with the culture.
What was your most memorable moment at Bound Brook?
I have many fond memories at the school, one of my favorites would have to be the Girls Senior v. Juniors flag football game. It was intense but fun, and of course my Senior class won that year!
What advice would you give Bound Brook students looking to enter that career?
My advice would be to take some legal classes at Raritan Valley and see if anything strikes your interest. The legal classes at RV are taught by attorneys who have ample experience in the field, and therefore offer keen insight into what it is like to work within the legal field.
What are some future goals or aspirations that you have for your own career?
My ultimate goal is to obtain my Juris Doctorate and become a licensed attorney. I still have a long road ahead of me, but with patience and discipline anything is attainable.