What was your major at Butler? Have you pursued any graduate degrees post-Butler?

At Butler, I was an International Business Major and a Political Science Minor. Since leaving Butler, I have started to pursue my JD (law degree) at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, Michigan.

Where are you currently working/where have you worked before now?

Well, being a law student is my job. It has been quite a busy time but I plan to get into Corporate Law or International Law once I complete my JD. This summer I plan to have a legal internship, but I am not sure where yet. I considered going right into the workforce after graduation, however, I have always had a passion for law and knew that the law school route was the right route for me.

Have you traveled internationally since graduation? If yes, where? If not, do you anticipate going abroad in the future?

Since graduation, I have not had the time nor opportunity to travel abroad. However, during my undergraduate time at Butler and before that, I have had the opportunity to visit Mexico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico (I know it is not international), Switzerland , and France. I most Recently traveled to Switzerland and France in the Summer of 2022. In the next couple of years, I plan to travel to other countries throughout Europe (Italy, and Greece), and also Northern and Southern Africa (Egypt and South Africa).

What advice would you give an IB major who is not sure what they want to do with their major after graduation?

This is a great question and I often asked myself this very question. IB is a very broad major that allows a person to do many different things. Because of that, I would recommend coupling it with another major/minor or looking to specialize in a specific area because that would give you the best chance to succeed. That being said, in today's day and age, it is not necessarily what you know, but rather who you know. Make connections and utilize the resources and connections that Butler has. Do not be afraid to reach out or ask people in a specific industry or company to get coffee or lunch. Many people appreciate that and like when people, especially students, take interest in their careers and the path they took to get there. These meetings may seem "scary", but they will be a great benefit to you because when applying for jobs in the future, a person that you met with may recognize your name and speak highly of you. Another thing that I would say is to not be afraid to take a position that is outside of an IB related field because this will allow you to gain valuable experience that can make you a more attractive candidate for an IB related position in the future. The biggest piece of advice that I can give you is to not be afraid to advocate for yourself and take chances in order to put yourself in a better position. Nothing in life is perfect and there will be many twists and turns along the way. However, the biggest thing that people will remember is how said person bounced back after a failure or setback. Nothing will be given, and if you want anything in your life, it is better to not sit back and let it "come" to you, but rather take the initiative of your learning and professional life.

Are there any skills (soft skills, language skills, communications, etc.) that you would advise that IB majors prioritize while still in school?

The biggest thing that I would say here is to learn a language/continue to learn a language. Learning a language and being able to speak a language makes you a more attractive candidate for jobs and it can also lead to higher pay right away because people that can speak multiple languages are very sought after. The other thing that I would tell you is that it is important to be able to communicate and speak clearly. I understand that public speaking is not the easiest thing to do, and I too have had my fair share of times where I did not do too well with speaking, but that is okay. Everyone knows that public speaking is hard but utilize your mentors and other people to practice for interviews and other public speaking opportunities. Being able to communicate and communicate effectively is a strong skill that will benefit you in the future. Once you are okay with being uncomfortable and accepting that mistakes in life or while speaking will happen, the stress/nerves that you may have while speaking may dissipate, making you a more effective speaker. Another set of skills that I think is important is having a strong foundational work ethic and time management. At the end of the day, nothing will be laid out like college again. No job in life, or even law school for that matter is not handed out to guide you what to do. Understanding that your learning and your job is your responsibility and not the responsibility of others will better set you up in the future. Lastly, I would say to think creatively/outside the box. There are times where thinking inside the box is the best course of action, however, since so much in the real world will be left up to you by your boss, coworker, etc., it is better to think creatively because many people do not like the simple, "right there" answer. Be your own person and do not be afraid to express who you are.