College Experiences That Helped a Partner at Dinsmore and Shohl Succeed
To find career success, Christopher, a Partner at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, emphasizes exploring diverse career paths and passions early on, stating, "trying a lot of different things...to find out what you have genuine interest in." This exploration, involving internships and multiple majors, ultimately led them to law, highlighting the importance of self-discovery over solely focusing on grades and test scores.
Career Exploration, Passion, Internships, Networking, Self-Reflection
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Christopher Ghio
Partner
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
UCLA 2005
College of William and Mary School of Law; Juris Doctor
Political Science, American Studies
Law
Legal
Honors Student, Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Explore different majors and career paths to find your passion.
2. Take advantage of internships and jobs to gain practical experience and clarify your career goals.
3. Don't underestimate the importance of self-reflection and identifying what you truly enjoy doing; it's crucial for long-term career satisfaction.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I think I talked about it earlier, but really, it's about finding your passion and exposing yourself to all different types of careers. I was in two different majors and tried interning and taking jobs at businesses where I would use the degree I was originally enrolled at UCLA to graduate with, which was business accounting.
Then, I didn't really like those opportunities and experiences. I had taken a constitutional law class, and I thought it was very interesting. I put myself out there with debate and a few other things, like the Justice Corps internship. All of those things helped me crystallize my career path and put me on a road for finding what I liked to do and what I was passionate about.
I think the most important lesson anyone can give you is that maybe it's a little bit saccharine or overly optimistic to say you have to love what you do. I actually do love what I do, and I think that's really important. You have to at least like what you do.
So, trying a lot of different things, trying different jobs, trying different internships, helps you find out what you have a genuine interest in and want to learn more about. When you find that thing, continue with it and try to learn more, to try to open yourself to new opportunities.
Grades are important, test scores are really important, going to a great law school if you want to be a lawyer is really important. But figuring out if that's actually what you want to do is the most important thing of all. You really have to expose yourself to a variety of different things before you, at least, know exactly what you want to do for a career.
You're in college, undergrad, from about 18 to 22. There were a lot of decisions that I made at that time in my life that I wouldn't want to have to live with for the rest of my life. I'm glad that the one I did make at that time, the career path I chose, was something I put a lot more consideration and time into making at that sort of young and impressionable age.