College Experiences That Helped A Clinical Professor Of Law At Loyola Law School Los Angeles Succeed
Amy's undergraduate success stemmed from cultivating strong relationships with professors, leading to research opportunities like working as a research assistant on a large-scale ADHD study and taking graduate-level seminars. This experience, while not leading to a PhD, which Amy now slightly regrets, highlights the importance of "getting to know people who can mentor you and guide you," and actively engaging with faculty through office hours.
Mentorship, Networking, Career Exploration, Higher Education, Research
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Amy Levin
Clinical Professor of Law
LMU Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
University of California, Berkeley 1994
University of California, Los Angeles JD/MSW
Psychology
Education, Law
Education
Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. Build strong relationships with professors: Amy emphasizes the importance of getting to know professors and seeking mentorship. She highlights how these relationships led to research opportunities and valuable guidance.
2. Explore your interests deeply: Amy's undergraduate experience in psychology fueled her passion and led to a fulfilling career. Pursuing subjects you are genuinely interested in can help you discover your career path.
3. Consider the long-term implications of your choices: Amy reflects on her decision not to pursue a PhD, highlighting the importance of thinking about factors like geographic flexibility and career preferences when making major academic decisions.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
Berkeley is a huge school, and it's easy to get lost there. I loved it; it was a great place for me. But I think the best thing I did was get to know a few professors well. They really advised me and helped me navigate my career.
For me, this was in the psychology department because I was a psychology undergrad. One of the professors I got to know was hiring RAs right around the time I was graduating for a huge research study. He had received a large humanities grant to study kids with ADHD and different treatments for them.
I had the opportunity to work as one of his first RAs on that study, which was a wonderful opportunity. The other woman I got to know very well is internationally renowned. She's probably in every psychology textbook ever written for the research she did.
I was able to get to know her, and she agreed to be my senior thesis advisor. She also gave me the opportunity to take graduate seminars in her area. They both were kind of nurturing me, frankly.
I probably should have gotten a PhD in psychology; that's what I was really interested in. The reason I didn't is because I wanted more geographic flexibility in terms of where to live. If I were to do a professorship in that area, you have to go where the job is. I was worried I wouldn't want to go where the job is.
That was probably one of the biggest mistakes in my career. I love what I've done, but I regret that a little bit. Taking classes that interest you, making good, lifelong friends who will nourish you throughout your life, and getting to know people who can mentor and guide you is important.
Students tend to shy away from professors, but going to office hours is a really good idea. Professors like to get to know their students, so I encourage you to do that.