Major(s): Government
What is your current role? What was your journey in arriving there?
I’m currently an associate attorney at the employment law firm Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman, & Fitch based in Washington, DC. I took eight years off between Wesleyan and law school, where I traveled, taught yoga, volunteered, obtained an MA in writing, and enjoyed not knowing who I was or what I wanted to do. I am so glad I took that time to enjoy my 20s and confirm I really wanted to attend law school before committing myself to practice law.
What do you enjoy about your work? What do you struggle with?
I enjoy helping my clients when they have been wronged and representing employees facing discrimination and retaliation. I enjoy holding corporations that have committed fraud accountable in whistleblower cases. I struggle with the daily grind of the billable hour, the cost of legal services, and the adversarial nature of litigation.
Do you have any advice for students thinking about entering your industry?
Take your time, and be sure you want to do it — law school is expensive, and being an attorney is challenging — if you don’t really believe in the work, it’s not worth it (so take your time figuring out what you want to do)!
How did your time at Wesleyan influence your career choice/journey?
Wesleyan taught me to stand up for what’s right and speak out when injustice is apparent, and it’s essential to be true to your unique, quirky self because otherwise you just become another cog in the machine.
Updated as of September 29th, 2023
