With each year that passes there are more and more BIC graduates doing great work all over the world. Each spring we publish brief “Alumni Updates” where our alumni can tell us some about their post-BIC lives. In addition to these annual updates, we post interviews with our alumni. Today we are excited to post an interview with Ross Natividad (’10). We hope you enjoy, and if you are interested in being interviewed for a future blog post, email us at BIC@baylor.edu.
What year did you graduate from Baylor? What did you study?
I graduated in 2010 with a BA in Spanish and International Studies and in 2012 with an MA in Spanish. After teaching English in Indonesia for a year (read about Ross’s experience as a Fulbright Scholar in Indonesia), I attended William & Mary Law School and graduated in 2016.
What are you doing currently for work/career? What do you enjoy most about your work?
I am currently clerking for the 23rd Judicial Circuit of Virginia (Roanoke). I work closely with five judges and assist them with their court hearings and opinions. I really enjoy being exposed to different aspects of the law, ranging from criminal, civil, family, and administrative issues. By attending court on a daily basis, I’m able to appreciate the various ways attorneys advocate for their clients and, in turn, how justice is fairly administered. Many people rely on the courts to resolve disputes, seek relief, or express their rights—being a part of this process is the most rewarding part of my job.
How has your BIC education influenced your life/career since leaving Baylor?
In so many ways! Particularly, BIC encouraged me to embrace and immerse myself in other cultures. After graduating, I took advantage of an opportunity to live and teach English in West Timor, Indonesia. The experience was life-changing. From learning how to adapt to a new way of life to making lasting friendships along the way, I experienced first-hand—just as BIC continues to teach its students—the importance of cultural awareness.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in BIC?
Hands down, my capstone course with Professors Wright and Hanks. I especially enjoyed our class discussions and assigned readings (like Life of Pi). The professors did an AMAZING job of structuring our classes, which led to lively conversations not just on the text but about our lives in general. It was probably the best class I’ve ever had.
Is there something you learned in BIC that still sticks with you today?
Of course, we’ve been trained to never forget that the unexamined life is not worth living! On top of that, BIC helped me embrace—and not shy away from—challenges in life. Whether it’s educational, professional, or personal, I know there’s always something to be learned from those challenges.
What are your plans for the future?
I will be getting married this September in Roanoke, VA. My fiancé and I are excited to be moving back to Texas, where we’ll be working and both have family and close friends.
Is there anything else would you like to share?
Thank you BIC faculty and staff for everything you do for your students. You’ve given us many tools and skills in preparation for the “real world.” It’s a truly remarkable experience once we start applying what you’ve taught us.
