[2] In 1947, Rivera began teaching visual arts at the teachers' training college and at La Esmeralda School of Painting and Sculpture.

During the early years of her career, she also pursued in subjects such as literature, anthropology, theater, dance ,and fine arts.

Through interactions with her father, Juan O'Gorman, Pedro Ramirez Vazquez, and Enrique Yáñez, she developed her intellectual beliefs and nationalist ideas.

[3] From the early 1960s to 1964, Rivera was head of planning for the SEP on the National System of Regional Rural Schools.

[8] Her most noted work was the creation of the Anahuacalli Museum in Coyoacán in association with her father, Diego Rivera, and Juan O'Gorman.

[3] In 1962, she designed the Mexican Pavilion for the Century 21 Fair in Seattle alongside Carlos Mijares Bracho.

The Notebook became a separate publication under Rivera and evolved into "one of the most important publishing projects for the Institute" discussing both technical and artistic components of architecture.