As spring and summer fast approach, Wabash students returning next year are quickly preparing for their summer internship opportunities by sending out a cadre of resumes, cover letters and applications. Graduating seniors are beginning to see what their future has in store as they weigh job offers and graduate school applications.
In order to begin to network with Wabash alumni, 19 Wabash students are in Indianapolis today meeting with alumni who work in law and politics. The event, co-sponsored by Wabash Career Services and the Political Science Society, will take the students to a lobbying firm, the Marion
County Prosecutor’s Office, and the State Capital. Brent Kent ‘09 of the Political Science Society, who coordinated the trip, believes this type of networking with alumni is essential for a career in law and politics.
“The Political Science Society is a relatively new organization and we thought we’d do something big to get some momentum going,” Kent said. “Also having worked in Indianapolis the last two years, I recognized two things – one, the alumni connections we have there are amazing and two, how many benefits there are to having internships and all the things you could accomplish through alumni because of your internships. We talked about it as a group, and the Political Science Society said as a group, ‘OK, let’s go with it.’”
The group has a full day ahead of them. They left from the Chapel steps bright and early at 7:30 AM.
“It looks like the group will start at 9 AM,” Kent said, “at Ice Miller to hear from a small panel of alums who are lobbyists before heading over to the prosecutor’s office, which is full of Wabash guys, to hear from ten alumni there.”
“From there,” he continued, “we’ll move to the Statehouse to hear from [Secretary of State and 1992 Wabash Graduate] Todd Rokita. After that, we’ll have lunch with a lot of different alumni, who work in and around the statehouse and in law and politics. After that we’ll have a tour of the Statehouse by [Political Science Professor] Dr. Hadley.”
Mr. Kent noted that this type of event had been something alumni in the Indianapolis area desired to do for a long time. “Some alumni have wanted to do it with the IAWM before we even discussed it,” Kent said. “The Poli Sci Society thought it would be a great idea to have it during legislative session so we could see how busy the statehouse is and maybe watch a session. That causes some problems for alumni because they are so busy – if you’re a lobbyist or legislator, you don’t have a set schedule.
But even though they’re really busy this time a year, there wasn’t single alum who I called who didn’t say yes, I’ll do it.” While many students are working to build their alumni network and garner potential internships, many other seniors have just finished their applications to law school.
Kyle Cassidy ’08 is one of those seniors.
“I wanted to go to law school because I wanted to help people,” he said, “and I thought that I was best suited to do so as a lawyer. I enjoy argument and analytical thinking, and I am fascinated by how people use the law to settle their differences and pursue justice.”
Mr. Cassidy noted there are plenty of things Wabash men can do to get into law school. “Polish, polish, polish your writing ability,” he said, “take an LSAT study course, and take on plenty of leadership and volunteer positions. That won’t necessarily help you do well in law school, but getting in is, to be blunt, numbers, essay, and resume.”
“Take [Political Science Professor] Scott Himsel’s Constitutional Law courses,” he continued, “mainly for his emphasis on skillful argument, critical thinking, and separating the merits of the arguments from one’s personal feelings about the issues. That the classes are actually about the law is practically an ancillary bonus. Take any classes that make you write, and write well, because you’ll be doing that a lot.”
“A good grounding in political philosophy and theories of justice isn’t a bad idea either,” he added. “As long as you develop your writing and critical thinking, I’m not sure it really matters what courses you take.”
Throughout his Wabash career Mr. Cassidy has excelled in the Wabash undergraduate legal field, winning the Daniel’s Prize for Constitutional Law his freshman year and the Moot Court competition his sophomore year. Even for him, however, taking the LSAT was kind of a zoo.
“Do you like logic games? If you do, you are a robot,” Mr. Cassidy quipped. “If you are a person, you will not like the LSAT very much. It is not an afternoon on the beach, but it isn’t much more unpleasant than any other standardized test. And it is extremely teachable, so do take the LSAT programs offered by the college. I thought the college’s programs were helpful, but they’re also subsidized. I’m not sure I’d pay full price for one if I could just ask a friend in law school or find some old study guides at Half-Price Books or something. Take advantage of the prep courses here; students at other colleges aren’t so lucky.”
Whether you are applying for law school or applying for a summer internship, getting applications in as soon as possible is an important component for getting into the position you are applying for.
“Start your applications early,” Mr. Cassidy said, “and get them done before Christmas break. Don’t be like me and wait until the last minute.”