What do you want to get out of your time at the University? Many students have different answers to this question, but those answers often have a common thread. Most students want to maximize their educational journey.
One way to accomplish this goal is to seek out the many extracurricular activities that go beyond classroom learning. For instance, students, alumni, faculty members and University staff can join over 74 student organizations that serve a variety of personal and professional interests.
How Extracurricular Activities Helped a Legal Studies Graduate
I recently talked with a graduate of our legal studies program, Vantashia Shontale. Vantashia is a Texas native who currently works as a paralegal in northern Virginia.
In 2015, she enrolled at American Public University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies in 2018. During her educational journey, she joined Phi Alpha Delta (PAD), a pre-law fraternity, and became a leading member of the mock trial team.
A mock trial is an exercise in which students prepare arguments and motions for a trial so they can experience the basics of litigation. Students can be lawyers, witnesses or other court personnel.
Dr. Fuchs: What brought you to the University?
Vantashia: When I first learned about the University, I had tons of questions about virtual learning. Having previously attended a brick-and-mortar campus, I was not sure how I would acclimate to an online learning model.
I filled out the questionnaire, the school called me and answered all my questions, and the rest is history. I was able to continue working while pursuing my bachelor’s degree in legal studies.
Dr. Fuchs: Why did you choose Legal Studies?
Vantashia: Since the age of five, I’ve wanted to be an attorney. I went to a magnet high school that covered law. Also, I participated in mock trial in secondary education and even went to the nationals three times in a row. I was always interested in law and political science, so legal studies was the most natural choice for me.
Dr. Fuchs: How has your participation in mock trials advanced your skills? How do you explain to potential employers the skillset you gained through mock trials?
Vantashia: It helped me tremendously; I did mock trials in high school and then at the collegiate level. The skills I learned through my mock trial experience has helped me in my job as a paralegal with formulating questions, specifically how to ask leading questions, so I can identify missing information.
Mock trials also helped me to learn how to notate legal materials, manage client information, strengthen my organizational skills and better manage my time. In job interviews, I always discuss my mock trial experiences to show employers that I can complete complex work with minimal time to prepare and deliver it in a virtual environment.
Dr. Fuchs: What were some of the benefits of joining PAD?
Vantashia: PAD was a great way to connect with my professors and classmates and create a robust professional network. Through PAD, I learned about many law school opportunities, which helped me formulate my career goals and the direction of my legal education.
Dr. Fuchs: You mentioned networking. How important is networking in the legal field?
Vantashia: Networking is extremely important. When I have a question about a topic that I do not have expertise in during my day-to-day work, I pick up the phone and call a colleague.
Networking has also helped me with my job search. I actually got a job offer from a great law firm because of my participation in the mock trial competition.
One of the judges liked my work and reached out to me about paralegal work. I also had the opportunity to interview for a magistrate judge position in Virginia through to my networking connections.
Dr. Fuchs: What did you do after graduating from APU?
Vantashia: My immediate plan was to go to law school, and I thought about doing a dual program J.D./MBA. I ended up doing something else after graduation. In May 2023, I earned a Juris Master at George Mason Antonin Scalia Law School in Arlington, Virginia.
Dr. Fuchs: What was your experience in law school?
Vantashia: George Mason Law School has a 100% online option, and I chose to pursue a concentration in government contracting. I was only able to do the very demanding virtual program at GMU because of my experience taking a full load of eight-week courses at APU.
I knew that I was well prepared to take a full load at the master’s level at GMU. Because of that experience, I was able to finish the program in just one year.
Dr. Fuchs: What’s next for you?
Vantashia: As a paralegal, I do so much of everything. I deal with contract law including drafting and redlining contracts. I am involved in corporate government work, which includes drafting minutes, meeting logistics and analytics, shareholders’ and board of directors’ meetings, and board compliance. I assist with compliance work involved with licensing and state requirements.
I am always in contact with outside counsel about different issues including litigation, intellectual property and whatever else comes to the table. While this work is an invaluable experience, my ultimate career goal is to be an attorney specializing in healthcare law, government contracting and litigation.
Dr. Fuchs: What are your law school plans?
Vantashia: I took my LSAT in 2021, and studying for it was a huge commitment. I studied for eight hours a day for several months and learned much of it myself with prep books, but I also got a tutor to help me.
I will apply to law school next fall. I plan to apply to several local law schools in the D.C., Virginia and Maryland (DMV) area.
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