Pre-Law Society at Trevecca to host networking event with local attorney

By Amy McKeane

Staff Writer

Students interested in law school will get the chance to learn about pre-law preparation from a local attorney, Rocky McElhaney, on March 5. 

“This is an opportunity for students to gain information about a degree and what that process will look like,” said John Radzimanowski, career coaching and employer relations specialist.

Over the past two years, the Winkler Center of Career and Development has been expanding its reach through student clubs. One of the clubs they are collaborating with is the Pre-Law Society.

The Pre-Law Society prepares students for a law degree by helping them with internships, LSAT preparation (Law School Admission Test), and career connections.

Another way they help students prepare is by finding them the right undergraduate degree. Students can use an undergraduate degree in English, History, or even Criminal Justice to start the path to law school. Students should ask their professors about internships specifically for their degree focus.

“Students should know that a law degree requires academic and financial dedication,“ said Erica Hayden, associate professor of history.

For students wanting to take on the challenge of a law degree, finances should not be a worry.

“There are scholarships, and many students work in law offices as paralegals while in school,” said Hayden.

Becoming a lawyer is not the only career opportunity for law graduates. Students can find multiple paths to choose from within the judicial system.

“With a law degree, students have different career paths within the Judicial system. You could be a paralegal, lawyer, prosecutor, judge or go into politics,” said Hayden.

Hayden said that many students are inspired to get a legal degree by events going on in the world today.

“Some students are interested because of civil rights. Many students go into law because of personal experience with family court or immigration issues, and they want to help,” she said. 

The event will be on March 5 in the third floor of Jernigan Student Center from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Students will get to speak with Attorney Rocky McElhaney, from the law firm named after himself, about his journey as a lawyer and his experiences in the judicial system.

“It is an opportunity to network.  This is an opportunity to learn, to ask questions, to shake hands with somebody in this field that they really want to explore. And again, all the things that we’re doing don’t necessarily mean jobs right now, but we want to make opportunities for the students to become more career-ready as they come through their time at Trevecca,” said Radzimanowski.

The Winkler Center helps students prepare through job skills including resume building, connections on the handshake website, job fairs, and mock interview training.

For upcoming events, follow Pre-Law Society on Instagram @tnu_prelaw or visit the SharePoint webpage, then Pre–Law Society.