A More Marketable Student
I participated in a focus group the other day. We spent some time talking about the law school, the administration, and our experiences here. Some students expressed concern about Roger Williams being a relatively new law school and having less of a marketable name than say, Harvard or Yale. The focus group was a bit long on participants and short on time. So I figured I would use this forum to weigh in on that particular topic.
Yes, Roger Williams is a very young law school. Unfortunately age is one characteristic that no person or entity can control. To the extent that the name Roger Williams University School of Law is less than marketable, the law school counteracts that unavoidable reality by giving us numerous opportunities to market ourselves as individuals. I have participated in several career fairs such as Legal Career Options Day, which takes place here at the law school, and the NYU Public Interest Legal Career Fair. And because this is the only law school in Rhode Island, we have a monopoly on members of the legal community who are willing to reach out to law students. Many members of the Thurgood Marshall Law Society, a professional society of minority judges and attorneys, have become fixtures at our events here at the law school. Student members of the Multi-Cultural Law Students Association, like myself, have gotten the opportunity to build a relationship with these individuals through the mentorship program. All we really need is a willingness to seize one of many opportunities to make an impression on these individuals.
On an unrelated note, I tried to watch America’s Next Top Model the other day. I usually avoid reality television if I can, but in the past I’ve found it extremely useful when my mind needs a mini-vacation from law school, life or thinking in general. It’s my guilty pleasure. In this episode, some of the models won diamond rings as prizes in one of the challenges. And as the girls each did the inevitable victory dance, all I could think was I wonder if those diamonds are conflict free. The thought monopolized my well-deserved hour of get-away-from-all-things-legal, reality TV time essentially ruining it. Today’s second message: The importance of recognizing when you need to lighten up a bit.
Life is all about balance. And so is law school. If you indulge too much in one particular thing the outcome will be bad regardless of what that particular thing is. Even vitamins are bad for you if you have too much of any particular one. The best way to get the most out of any experience is to find an outlet. There is yoga, kickboxing, some people even do housework. I’ve also heard salsa dancing is a great stress reliever. And, as you already know, I like to write.
