Meet Our Students: Belen Castro Ruiz

Belen Castro Ruiz

Pronouns:

She/her/hers/ella

Age:

Residence:

Salt Lake City

From:

Utah

Current major:

Social work

Academic goals:

I would like to graduate from SLCC with my associate's degree in social work. After that I would love to transfer to the University of Utah to receive my bachelor's degree and hopefully my masters in social work.

Dream job:

My dream job is to become a clinical social worker. I want to become this because I have always wanted to help people my entire life, so if I could make a change in someone’s life that would be amazing.

Plan B:

If my dream job does not work out, I would like to become a school social worker. This would be my plan B because I would still be able to help students and teachers deal with their problems.

Why higher education:

I am pursuing a higher education because my parents always motivated me to do better in school. I want to make them proud because they sacrificed everything they had to come to the United States for my siblings and I.

Why SLCC:

I came to SLCC because I was offered many opportunities here, it is more cost effective, smaller class sizes, and I also received a job here.

What motivates you or inspires you at school or in life:

My dad passed away in 2017, and he will always motivate me in life. He always told me to give it my all and never worry about what others are going to think of me. He motivates me to keep going to school.

Important life or career lessons you have learned so far:

Being at SLCC, I learned that it's okay to be indecisive on your major. I thought when you come to college you need to know what you want to do with your life, but that is not the case.

Best advice you have been given or that you give others:

The best advice I have ever been given is to not worry about what other people think of you, because if you think that way, then you will not grow.

Family:

I come from a Mexican family, specifically from Numaran, Michoacan. I have two older siblings, and I am the youngest. Most of my mom’s side of the family is here in Utah, and most of my dad’s side of the family is still in Mexico. My parents migrated to the United States when they were 21 years old.

Hobbies:

I like to watch movies. My favorite movies are the Harry Potter series and the Twilight series. I also like to cook.

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