Dr. Barbara Perry, a non-resident Fellow of the McConnell Center, held a discussion with several scholars about legal careers on Friday morning, October 29th. She offered advice by detailing her extensive and illustrious path through some coveted internships, academic programs, and profession positions.
Law school requires a passion and planned use for legal studies (i.e. desiring a law degree for more than just the title), Perry said. “I know many lawyers/law school students who are unhappy with their choice.” Perry, once having contemplated law school, said she preferred the life of an academic to that of the average lawyer. She noted that subsets of law, such as Constitutional law and civil litigation, were of interest, but emphasized that the proportion of lawyers occupied therein is rather low.
Perry stressed the importance of a minimum of international experience. “A scholarship with the English-Speaking Union that sent me to study at Oxford really opened my eyes to my preference to be an academician.” Part of determining what you want to do with your life seems to be in determining what you do not want to do with your life. Perry stated that this can be accomplished by simply pursuing a wide range of experiences.
“Find what you are passionate about; then try to incorporate that into your career path” was a central point from Dr. Perry. This hackneyed notion (at first sight a naïve one) held considerable weight with Perry. An academic who has found her niche and greatly enjoys the rigors of her research, Dr. Perry seems to embody such an ideal. The scholars greatly appreciated her advice and input.
Law school requires a passion and planned use for legal studies (i.e. desiring a law degree for more than just the title), Perry said. “I know many lawyers/law school students who are unhappy with their choice.” Perry, once having contemplated law school, said she preferred the life of an academic to that of the average lawyer. She noted that subsets of law, such as Constitutional law and civil litigation, were of interest, but emphasized that the proportion of lawyers occupied therein is rather low.
Perry stressed the importance of a minimum of international experience. “A scholarship with the English-Speaking Union that sent me to study at Oxford really opened my eyes to my preference to be an academician.” Part of determining what you want to do with your life seems to be in determining what you do not want to do with your life. Perry stated that this can be accomplished by simply pursuing a wide range of experiences.
“Find what you are passionate about; then try to incorporate that into your career path” was a central point from Dr. Perry. This hackneyed notion (at first sight a naïve one) held considerable weight with Perry. An academic who has found her niche and greatly enjoys the rigors of her research, Dr. Perry seems to embody such an ideal. The scholars greatly appreciated her advice and input.