September 23, 2025 - 9:00am
When Dulce Gutierrez toured the University of Oregon campus in 2015, she quickly fell in love with Eugene and the University.
“It felt like a really tight-knit community, even though the school is so big,” she said. "You're always two degrees away from someone. If you meet someone, you probably have someone in common and can instantly make a connection.”
In addition to the community aspect, Gutierrez valued the flexibility to explore different majors and minors. Originally a biology major, she switched her major to political science and government and picked up a minor in Spanish.
“Social studies are something that comes a lot easier to me,” she said. “You have the freedom to be more creative. There usually isn't a right or wrong answer, and you get to see many different perspectives.”
Gutierrez graduated from the UO in 2020 and went to law school at Gonzaga University School of Law. She then secured a full-time attorney position, showing how a liberal arts degree can open doors for a multitude of career opportunities.
Embracing the Spanish language
Gutierrez grew up in Hermiston, Oregon, to parents born in Mexico. Although surrounded by Spanish in her childhood, her connection with the language was complicated.
“My parents spoke a more informal dialect of Spanish, so I always kind of had the negative stigma towards it,” she said.
Her first Spanish class with Professor Amy Costales shifted her perspective. “She emphasized the fact that there is no right or wrong Spanish — Spanish is Spanish.”
Now in her professional career, she finds herself using her multilingual studies in a practical manner. And although she’s still getting used to some of the “complicated legal terms,” she has several Spanish-speaking clients. “Being able to speak with them and translate legal documents has been a huge benefit and helped me expand the cases I can take.”
Building skills for career success
Gutierrez’s ability to connect across languages is an example of how her time at UO helped shape her career. Additionally, her heavy coursework in areas of liberal arts laid the foundation for the rigor of law school.
In law school, it's not uncommon to read up to 100 pages a night. Gutierrez said her undergraduate workload prepared her for that challenge. “Mentally, I feel I was prepared for the copious amounts of readings,” she said. “But also, you get to kind of think creatively and always find ways to make an argument that works for you.”
Beyond the classroom, Gutierrez credits some of her success to the opportunities she found at the University. In her third year, she joined and eventually held a spot on the board of Muxeres, a club for Latina women on campus. Along with this, she was a part of the ASUO Student Government Association and the EMU Advisory Board.
“It’s important to look out for these opportunities because they’re constantly open,” she said.
These experiences weren't just resume builders, she said, but gave her real-world experience in a professional setting. “It helps you figure out how to work with different people and perspectives.”
Her advice to undergraduate Ducks? Get involved on campus and say yes to opportunities even if they are outside your comfort zone. You never know which ones will shape your path.
Looking back, Gutierrez couldn’t be happier with her decision to attend the UO.
“I love UO — I go back every year,” she said. “I wish I could've stayed, but Gonzaga was the right next step for me.”
—By Leo Brown, College of Arts and Sciences