Students Explore Career Possibilities in Law

Amery Perez, 16, a junior at Rosemead High School, had envisioned only one future for herself — to study mechanical engineering at California Polytechnic State University.

That was until she attended Southern California Edison’s Street Law Day at its headquarters in Rosemead recently. SCE hosted the annual event, now in its ninth year, for 120 students from Arroyo High School, Rosemead High School and South El Monte High School to introduce them to different legal professions and career opportunities.

“I came here today, and I started learning about what lawyers actually do and that there’s more to lawyers than fighting for cases and fighting for people’s lives,” said Perez, after hearing from SCE attorneys who shared their personal journeys.

“Figure out what you love, and do what you love,” Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of SCE’s parent company, Edison International, told the students. “You will never regret having worked hard and having a good education because it will pay off and give you the flexibility to follow the path of life and do different things. Work hard at your goals and do the best you can, but also be ready to change if life gives you a different opportunity.”

For Perez, her future is still full of possibilities, including pursuing careers in both law and mechanical engineering. “If you’re both a lawyer and engineer, the things you can do are greater. For one person, that’s amazing,” she said.

During the event, Robert Kang, an SCE senior attorney, taught a session on how students can improve their cybersecurity using examples of Hollywood celebrities who have been victims of cybercrimes and online predators.

The topic resonated with Timothy Pha, 17, better known as PhoMasterT in the online gaming world. He has built a gaming community of more than 200 global members as the owner and founder of Usuhan Supeu Gaming. 

With his growing success, cybersecurity and safety have become a priority for the Arroyo High junior.

“I put safety first for everyone,” said Pha, who hopes to go to college at MIT or UC Riverside and enroll in an e-sports program. “I want to make sure the members are safe and secure.”

Kang says cybercrimes can happen to anyone, including students, and encourages them to seek help from parents and law enforcement if they fall victim to cybercrimes. He also hopes they’ll pursue higher education and consider law as a potential career option.

“These students are our future customers and potentially our future colleagues, so it’s really important to inspire them to go on to higher education and even consider careers at Edison,” he said.