Alumni Story

What did you study, and what has your career journey looked like?

"I majored in Law and Public Policy with a minor in Intelligence Studies. My career journey was pretty hyper-focused on the national security side of public policy. I worked on campus all four years with the Center for the Study of the Middle East which was a great way to get exposure to international issues. I spent two summers as an intern with the FBI and then was hired into a full-time role with them as a Tactical Specialist. I spent two years working on international terrorism cases, and then pivoted to working as a targeter in a domestic terrorism unit. I loved my work with the FBI, but I was very interested long-term in addressing terrorism issues from a legal perspective, so I entered into a full-time JD program at William and Mary Law School in Fall 2023. This summer I'll be interning with the US Navy JAG Corps. LPP was great preparation for the FBI in terms of improving my professional writing skills, analysis abilities, and understanding of the Constitution. I also recommend the Intelligence Studies minor for students interested in national security because it's very niche and teaches analytical techniques that federal agencies use!"

What does belonging look like for you in the workplace?

"My FBI workplace had really great belonging. My first unit had a core group of young professionals and we all became close friends and built a great support system. My last unit was also incredibly close because we were a small team dealing with some really challenging topics with our focus on mass attack prevention and combating racially motivated extremism. Having that support system after dealing with certain topics made a big difference and has made it possible to maintain these friendships even after my transition to law school."

How has your identity impacted your career choices?

"My identity didn't substantially impact my career choices, but it has played a role. The FBI is still a male-dominated organization so it was a challenge to find the best way to navigate being the only woman in the room in a lot of meetings or dealing with macho-personalities. It ended up teaching me a lot of confidence and adaptability, and built close bonds with my female coworkers who'd been navigating these challenges for much longer."