Rebecca Lendroth '05
Dual Major: Political Science/Psychology.
Attorney, Fairfax (VA) Public Defender’s Office. During sophomore year, I started researching law schools. I was fairly certain I wanted to go to law school and work in “international law” and human rights work – a rather amorphous idea. Following graduation, I went to a program through Bard College located in New York City. I was able to spend the fall of 2005 interning with the International Center for Transitional Justice and attending A LOT of seminars and speeches on issues of globalization, international affairs, international law, human rights, etc. This very quickly taught me that this was not at all what I wanted to do. Once I started law school, I went through a bit of an identity crisis. I had myself so convinced in undergrad that I wanted to work in international law or human rights “stuff” that I had no idea what to do with myself. During the first year, they pick your classes for you. It’s very tempting to pursue the big firm lifestyle. During first year, they sell you hard on it. The big firms host free cocktail receptions at the nice restaurants. They send all sorts of free stuff to the students. They sell you on the BIG salary potential. My first summer I worked for a small construction law firm and liked it enough, but did not want to do that either. So second year, I spent a lot of time investigating public interest. The one thing I swore I would never do was criminal law. Who wants to defend guilty people or run the risk of putting an innocent person in jail? Well, I applied to firms during the fall law firm fairs and received zero offers (thankfully in hindsight). Even though I didn’t want to do criminal law, I found my crim law classes the most interesting. So I followed my interest and applied for internships with both prosecution and public defenders offices. In May 2008, I started my internship at the Fairfax Public Defender’s Office and what would become probably the best summer of my life. Within three weeks, I knew that was the work I wanted to do. It just spoke to me on a level that nothing else had. After that summer, I did all of the “right” things. I stayed in contact with the people from the office and Fairfax; I volunteered during my 3L year in Fairfax; I went out there for lunch and basically made myself always present. After graduation in 2009, I took the Virginia bar and then started pursuing a position at the Fairfax PD’s office. On March 25, 2010, I started as an Attorney I, and now I’ve been there for 5 years!! I love what I do, but it is hard work and emotionally draining. I am not sure where I’ll end up next, but I plan on following what has worked for me in the past. I’m going to go with my gut and follow my interests. It seems to have worked for me. Quinnipiac allowed me to explore my interests in a safe environment. I learned that not every plan works out and I should trust my gut. I started Q.U. thinking I wanted to be a teacher and then ended up in law school. I started Q.U. thinking psychology was my passion, but then fell in love with poli sci. I didn’t follow a strict plan, but just went with what seemed interesting. Also, I studied abroad junior year, which every student should do if possible! Don’t get too hung up on specific formulas for success. As a student, you should be flexible to shifting paths if you discover something that you enjoy more. I believe a lot of my success is because I do things I enjoy. I’m sure I would be making a lot more money if I chose a different path, but who knows if I’d be happy or successful. Try different subjects, activities, and just say yes to opportunities while you have the freedom to do so! |