Alumni Spotlight:

What I Do Now: I am a lawyer, generally focused on the area of civil rights. My job is to solve problems, to help people navigate situations they never expected to find themselves in. Most days, I am negotiating with adversaries, crafting arguments, writing, researching, answering questions (asking them, too) and pushing in whatever way I can to get my clients the best result. It’s fast-paced, challenging and never boring.

How the Hartwick Experience Impacted My Professional Life: I learned who I was at Hartwick and the professional I am is because of those moments. In the truest sense, I grew up there. I learned how to live and work independently, as well as how to collaborate. I learned the importance of a network of peers. My classmates taught me arguably as much as the coursework. Whether it was new ways to memorize material fast or effectively study, the utility of highlighting (no, not the entire paragraph), the underlying bases for different political views, new insights to everyday problems or just how to enjoy the experience, the friends I made at Hartwick opened my eyes to a world beyond what I had known. The professors were thoughtful and passionate about their work, which made learning from them more of a recreation than an academic burden. These professors would ultimately shape the way I think and analyze issues. I took advantage of every opportunity Hartwick threw at me and I’m so grateful for that because each experience has shaped my professional life. Being a young professional means being confident, capable, eager, hungry, ready, persistent, humble and creative; my time at Hartwick fostered these attributes in me and prepared me to continue my education and face the world.

Challenges in the Field: Different areas of the law face different challenges, but in general, every lawyer faces the challenge of meeting expectations. Whether they be from an individual client, a boss, a judge, or an adversary, expectations can weigh heavily if you let them. Every professional feels the pressure of staying sharp on their subject matter. Making sure we keep up with changes, both big and small, in the law or procedures, sets us up to best serve our clients.

My Favorite Aspect of My Career: My favorite aspect of my career is having the opportunity to genuinely help people through some of their darkest times. When somebody faces a legal battle, it can be one of the scariest, loneliest times and the lack of information or knowledge can be overwhelming. Being able to hear clients, analyze problems and craft solutions is rewarding. In my view, there are few professions that provide the kind of gratification that being a lawyer can. Vindicating a client or solving a problem for one is an unmatched feeling.

My Advice for Current Students: Build your network now. Make genuine friends. Connect with classmates and professors. Seek out a mentor, somebody whose footsteps you may want to follow. Take chances, explore, put yourself out there. Don’t be too proud to ask for help or to go to that event alone or to apply for that internship or to engage with the group you were curious about but never joined. Remove “no” from your vocabulary when it comes to opportunities that present themselves. It’s not always about knowing exactly what you want to do or where you want to be; learning what you don’t want to do or where you don’t want to end up can be just as important. You’re in the perfect place to find your passion. Soak it all up and stay true to what matters to you.