BAEC Bulletin | January/February 2023 | 9
• How did your internship prepare you for a future career in law? My internship prepared me for a future career in law by showing me the ins and outs of various legal professions. I was shown the different positions within the courts, as well as private and public practice. • Did your internship change your perception of lawyers or the legal profession? How? My internship expanded my perception of lawyers and the legal profession. The schedule that Judge Eagan provided fully encompassed all aspects of the legal profession, including observation of both the prosecution, defense bar and the bench. I also got to learn about alternatives to incarceration by touring a drug treatment facility. I learned that the legal profession is so much more than just attorneys and judges and my internship opened my eyes to how many people and how much hard work goes into every position in the legal profession. • Did the internship program help you develop legal mentors who you are still in contact with today? How meaningful do you think that will be to you when you start your legal career? My internship program absolutely helped me to develop legal mentors that I am still in contact with. One of Judge Eagan’s goals for the internship was to begin the development of interpersonal communication skills and networking. Say Yes provided Professional Development Workshops for all the interns to attend, including a workshop on networking. Using these skills and pushing myself out
of my comfort zone helped me to form lasting mentor relationships. As I begin my legal career, I have been able to consult my mentors on Bar Exam Prep strategies, receive their opinions on where I should pursue my practice areas of interest, and general work-life balance advice. • What suggestions do you have for lawyers and other employers considering participating in the Say Yes internship program in the future? For lawyers and other employers that may be considering participating in the Say Yes internship program in the future, please do so! The opportunities that an employer can provide to a burgeoning professional will have more of an impact than one would imagine. I saw first-hand how the Say Yes internship program was able to expose a diverse student population to a new field that they otherwise may not have had the opportunity to learn about. •
ALIZE ALLEN University at Buffalo School of Law JD Candidate, Class of 2023
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