Liberal Arts Majors: Political Science and Criminal Justice
Liberal Arts Minors: History and Sociology
Hometown: Schuylkill Haven, PA
Current Location: Philadelphia, PA
What enrichment activities did you participate in as a student?
I was a teaching assistant (TA) for a criminal justice class.
What was your first job after graduating from Penn State?
After graduation, I landed a position as a paralegal specialist for the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division in Washington, D.C.
What was your favorite class and/or who was your favorite faculty member?
I took a Political Economy of Civil War class with Dr. Packer that was absolutely fascinating.
How did your liberal arts education and skills prepare you for your life after graduation?
The Liberal Arts doesn't necessarily give you a specific technical skill like in other majors such as accounting, engineering, or the sciences. It gives you the ability to think and apply various disciplines to your current work and life. It gives you flexibility to pursue any passion or interest. This can be very overwhelming, especially early in your career when you're just worried about gaining employment. However, it will begin to pay off later in life when people and employers begin to see how a liberal arts graduate can evaluate a problem through several different disciplines.
What networking advice would you share with current students?
Networking got me my first job at the DOJ through a referral. The best networking happens casually and organically through friends or friends of friends. You're more likely to develop a relationship with someone if they actually like you, more than anything else.
What role have mentors played in your career progression?
If you're expecting to have one master mentor be your career Yoda, you're going to be very disappointed. You'll likely have several mentors that can help you in specific aspects of your career, and those relationships can last a few weeks to several years. I haven't really had a meaningful mentor in my life, but I've always tried to be the mentor I wish I had, for other people.