College Experiences That Helped An Attorney At State Of California Succeed
Dee's undergraduate success stemmed from government agency internships, providing valuable experience and exposure to different fields, coupled with a focus on writing and research skills honed through a senior thesis. The attorney also emphasized the importance of networking, advising students to "talk to people who do different kinds of jobs" and attend industry events to discover career paths that resonate.
Career Exploration, Networking, Communication, Writing Skills, Research Skills
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Dee Dee Dickey
Attorney
State of California
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley - JD
Anthropology, Sociology
Government & Public Sector, Law
Legal
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Took summer jobs in various government agencies to gain experience and explore different career paths.
2. Focused on improving writing and research skills, which are crucial for legal work.
3. Emphasized networking and attending professional events to learn about different jobs and connect with people in the field.
Transcript
What did you do in your undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
As an undergrad, I did summer jobs in various government agencies. I thought it was a great way to get experience and find out what different agencies did, to see if I might like it.
Other than that, I took courses I was interested in and paid attention to themes that came up for me within those courses. I emphasized writing. I learned everything I could about writing and research, and I loved doing those things.
Being in a major where I had to write a senior thesis, come up with a theme and develop it, and take that responsibility, was great training for the work world. So when I advise students now, I think the most important thing is to talk to people who do different kinds of jobs.
Learn about different jobs, connect with people, and hear their ideas. If they invite you to something later on, consider going, whether it's an open house for their organization or a talk. Be out there within the work world, even before you're working, going to events, meeting people, and doing things, just to see what resonates for you.