Going into law school, I was open-minded and explored all paths from the start. In addition to seeking out public interest and civil rights-focused coursework, I used my extracurricular experiences to build skills and to better understand the opportunities available to me.
I became a book editor for the Michigan Law Review and a research assistant at the Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse. In both positions, I spent considerable time researching, writing, and editing both peers’ and authors’ work, which prepared me for my current job. In all three of my years at Michigan Law, I participated in the Organization of Public Interest Students’ annual Jobs Night, co-hosted by the Office of Career Planning (OCP). The event, during which 2L and 3L students help 1Ls with their resumes or interview preparation—along with conversations with alumni and guidance from Emily Bretz, the public interest director at OCP—helped me find the right career fit.
I was selected for the first class of Victors’ Fellows, a transformational opportunity that allowed me to complete a fellowship with the MacArthur Justice Center in Chicago during my first year after graduating. Today, in the Special Litigation Bureau of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, I’m working on complex and affirmative civil litigation in state and federal courts.
Entering law school, I only knew I wanted to use my law degree for positive impact—and that is exactly what I ended up doing. I never envisioned myself in my current role, but I love it and am here, in part, because I kept an open mind in law school. If you are considering attending Michigan Law, I believe you already have what it takes to discover the right path for you—with the help of this community and all it offers.
