College Experiences That Helped a Deputy District Attorney Succeed in Trial Litigation
To prepare for a career as a Deputy District Attorney, Lance believes that "just going to school and getting a degree is not enough," and that students should seek extracurricular activities that help separate themselves from other candidates. For Lance, this included involvement in criminal justice organizations, Greek life, mock trial, moot court, student government, and, most importantly, multiple internships with law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.
Extracurricular Activities, Internships, Criminal Justice, Law School, Involvement
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Lance Cotton
Deputy District Attorney
Trial Litigation
California State University: Long Beach
Chapman University, School of Law
Criminal Justice
Law
Legal
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Extracurricular activities are extremely important to separate yourself from other candidates.
2. Internships with organizations like the Los Angeles Police Department and the Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office provided valuable experience.
3. Involvement in mock trial, moot court, and student government during law school helped prepare for the legal profession.
Transcript
What did you do in college to set you up for success in your career?
I believe being involved in extracurricular activities is the most important thing a student can do. Just going to school and getting a degree isn't enough for any profession, in my opinion.
So, I was involved in the Criminal Justice Student Association and the Criminal Justice Honors Society. I joined a fraternity and was heavily involved with that on campus.
I sought out internships in college. I interned with the Los Angeles Police Department before I started law school, and I interned with the Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office. During law school, I was involved in mock trial, moot court, and student government. I was also involved in various other internships with prosecutorial agencies.
That extracurricular involvement is a lot while also balancing a school curriculum, but it's extremely important. Getting employment is about separating yourself from the pack, and the best way to do that is to get involved and go above and beyond just going to school. So, extracurricular activities are extremely important.
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