I knew when I came to Michigan Law that I wanted to work in the federal government—I was very drawn to the “client” being the American people. But the federal government is large, so I spent my two summers of law school trying to clarify what this kind of career would look like.
First, I worked with the Federal Aviation Administration doing environmental law in an attorney-adviser role, and I spent my second summer at the Department of Justice doing appellate work. I decided that an attorney-adviser role really appealed to me.
Getting government work experience during law school was very important. And I learned so much from the Office of Career Planning—especially from Emily Bretz, ’11, the public interest director. She completely demystified the process.
I also was concerned about the financial aspects of a career in the government. I think people assume they have to work in Big Law to pay off loans, but I learned from OCP that there are programs that provide financial help.
Now I am in my first year working for with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Four years ago, I wouldn’t have guessed that I’d eventually work for the NRC, but law school really opens up opportunities that I didn’t know existed.
