College Experiences That Helped an Agency Counsel at Department of Defense Succeed
While a political science major provided a suitable foundation for Andrew's legal career, the Agency Counsel at the Department of Defense emphasized the importance of strong writing and communication skills honed through English and public speaking courses, stating that "learning how to read and comprehend and to write and string sentences together" is crucial for success in the legal field. This skillset, more than any specific major, better prepares individuals for the demands of reading, comprehending, and effectively communicating legal concepts.
Communication, Writing Skills, Reading Comprehension, Public Speaking, Legal Studies
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Andrew Henderson
Agency Counsel
Department of Defense
Bates College
Pepperdine University School of Law (JD); University of Redlands School of Business (MA); Army JAG School (LLM)
Political Science, American Studies
Government & Public Sector, Law
Legal
Took Out Loans, Veteran
Video Highlights
1. Develop strong writing and communication skills, as these are crucial for success in law.
2. Consider a minor or coursework in English to improve reading comprehension and writing ability.
3. While a political science major is common, it's not a requirement; focus on building a strong foundation in communication skills
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I was a political science major, which is pretty trite. That's what people do before they go into law school. It was fine, it was great.
I don't think that's a requirement, though. What I've learned in my time in the law is that taking English classes and some public speaking classes was more valuable, or at least as valuable. There's a lot that you study in political science that is interesting, but it's not required to help you be better at being a lawyer.
Learning how to read and comprehend, and to write and string sentences together, is more important. I run into plenty of people in our field who aren't that good at it, and that's troubling.
I don't think there's any one academic background that will better prepare you, but I would recommend at least a foundation in English. If you take some PoliSci classes on law or some public speaking classes, that's good. I don't think you have to major in English, but minor in it or take a few core courses.
This will remind you how to do reading comprehension effectively, to put those words on paper, and to explain your thoughts to someone else in a cogent manner. That type of background better prepares you for a field where it's all about reading, comprehending, and communicating.
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