Her Story
About Paula
Paula Cross is a chaplain with the State of Texas based in Waco. With 15 years in the role, she focuses on youth ministry and crisis intervention, drawing from a lifetime of working with young people through religious and life guidance programs. She provides ministry support not only to students but also to staff, emphasizing that ministry extends beyond preaching to encompass financial, emotional, and community needs. Cross holds certification in suicidal crisis intervention and previously worked as a probation officer. A member of a sorority, she brings a background shaped by her parents, both educators, though she chose a path outside traditional classroom teaching. She values strength and standing up for what is right, and she attributes her success to her faith in God along with the direction provided by her parents throughout her life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Paula
01What do you attribute your success to?
My faith in God. You know, because if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be able to do the things that I do. Because I live each moment as if my last and I want to live each moment happy. Thank God for my mom and both my parents will always gearing me in the right direction. The path wasn't easy but they guided me to do what's right.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My mom was my role model and she always told me do the best that you can do. Because when it's said and done and over you would want somebody to say at your service that everything that she's done in life she did it at her best.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Always remember that you can do it. Don't ever think that you can't do it. Everybody feels like a woman can't do a man's job but we can. Always remember that you can do anything that you put your heart and your mind to. You can wear your crown. Every morning when you get up you look in that mirror and you tell yourself you are worthy you are beautiful and no one can take that away from you. You are valuable. You are worth it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My biggest challenge is making sure that I'm sure of myself because sometimes I think can I really do this job or can I stand before these people and speak. But then I'm like well I talk on the phone all the time I have to talk to co-workers all the time I have to go to church and talk to people. Well then that's an audience itself so why look outside the boundaries. I was unsure of myself but then as I grew older I'm like you know I can do it. All I can do is try.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Just strength being able to hold things together. I value everything I've done in my life. When people see me they'll see something different. It's very important that when you go out into the world you want people to see you as a person that stood up for what was right. Didn't take everything so personally but took things to heart knowing that I was there and able to help them.
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