Academics

Liberal Arts alumni return to discuss law school and legal careers with students

Students of all majors invited to attend 'Liberal Arts Law Careers' events on Oct. 23 and 24

Four alumni will participate in a panel discussion and question-and-answer session beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, in the HUB-Robeson Center's Flex Theatre. They will also meet one-on-one with students from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Oct. 24, on the second floor of the Bank of America Career Services Center. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State College of the Liberal Arts will hold its twenty-first annual “Liberal Arts Law Careers” panel discussion Oct. 23, followed by one-on-one meetings with the alumni the next morning. Students of all majors are invited to attend.

Supporting student interest in law careers, this two-day event gives current students a unique opportunity to meet and network with successful Penn State Liberal Arts alumni working in the legal field.

Four alumni will participate in a panel discussion and question-and-answer session beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, in the HUB-Robeson Center’s Flex Theatre. They will discuss the process of applying to law school, share career advice, and provide overviews of different practice areas students can choose from within the legal field.

Students who sign up in advance will have the chance to individually meet with a specific alumnus during their selected 25-minute time slot between 9 a.m. and noon on Thursday, Oct. 24, on the second floor of the Bank of America Career Services Center. During these meetings, students will be able to share their law school and career aspirations, receive law school application and résumé suggestions, and ask any questions they may have.

The following Penn State Liberal Arts alumni are scheduled to participate in this year’s events:

— Joseph Blackburn, class of 2008 in history and secondary education, is an attorney at Wisler Pearlstine, LLP in Blue Bell. He handles a broad range of real estate, zoning, and land-use matters on behalf of corporate and individual clients.

“I think it is critical for students to have the opportunity to talk with successful alumni, because it gives concrete examples of the doors and opportunities that are opened to one with a liberal arts education from Penn State,” Blackburn said. “Speaking with alumni first-hand can hopefully give these young individuals the confidence and reassurance that their hard work and dedication can and will pay off.”

— Lauren Hinzey O’Malley, class of 2007 in history and political science, is an attorney at Triangle Smart Divorce in Cary, North Carolina. She represents clients through various stages of their family law case including custody, child support, spousal support, equitable distribution, divorce and domestic violence.

“It is so important to connect with successful alumni, because connections are everything once you get out into the real world,” O’Malley said. “Having someone you can connect to and have as a mentor in a place where you may not know very many people is invaluable.” 

— Amanda R. Reinitz, class of 2005 in political science and crime, law and justice, is an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. As a federal criminal prosecutor, she has experience in white collar crime, violent crime, and national security matters.

“Talking to alumni can provide insight and information on careers you may not have even known were out there,” Reinitz said. “Penn State is a unique institution where the bonds of ‘We Are’ mean that long after days of sitting on Old Main lawn, everyone still looks out for fellow Nittany Lions.”   

— David Fite Waters, class of 1978 in general arts and sciences, is general counsel to Building and Land Technology, a real estate private equity firm, in Stamford, Conn. He oversees all contracts, zoning, and real estate transactions for their residential, commercial and mixed-use projects.

“Throughout life we rely on our teachers, professors, and mentors to guide us so that we can determine our career paths,” Waters said. “Sometimes that is in the form of encouragement, sometimes it is correction, and sometimes it is just a reality check that we are doing what we are supposed to do.”

Additional details, including alumni biographies and the one-on-one meeting registration form, can be found online.

Last Updated October 28, 2019

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