Although I started at Wharton pursuing business, I soon realized it wasn’t something that I was passionate about. When I made the switch to the College and could focus on history, the experience was like night and day. I really loved being a history major and found it so academically rewarding. What I enjoyed most was the ability to select courses that enabled me to dive in and gain a better understanding of what was happening around the world during the same period in time. We had so many professors who were equally enthusiastic.

Take classes that sound interesting to you and that might help you learn something new. Other types of training will come eventually. When you’re an undergrad, especially in the College, your job is to broaden your horizons and learn as much as possible.

I had always planned to go to law school though there were a few years—both at Penn and then immediately after graduation—when I thought, maybe law school isn’t for me. Perhaps I’ll pursue policy work. So, I got my MPA from Fels [Institute of Government] and worked for the House of Representatives in Harrisburg. Working for state government helped me realize that I did actually have a knack for the law and I really enjoyed it. And so, that brought me back around to law school.

Today I’m an associate at Morgan Lewis in Philadelphia, and I practice antitrust litigation. I’ve been an attorney for going on eight years and I love what I do. I believe antitrust law is one of the most exciting areas of the law. Depending on the case, you’re always presented with a new and interesting issue. It keeps me on my toes.

There’s been a conversation recently that students should only focus on pre-professional degrees in college and take courses that would immediately help prepare them for the workplace. As somebody who started on said pre-professional path and pivoted, I found that I greatly benefited from getting a liberal arts education. By building an educational foundation in the history and political science departments, it helped prepare me for success. The synergies between these two concentrations instilled in me the ability to take a step back and view everything more holistically.

All of this is to say, follow your passion. There are so many different offerings in the College that it’s easy to find your passion there. Take classes that sound interesting to you and that might help you learn something new. Other types of training will come eventually. When you’re an undergrad, especially in the College, your job is to broaden your horizons and learn as much as possible. I’d like to think that’s what I did as an undergrad. — September 24, 2024 • As told to Michele W. Berger, Photo by Brooke Sietinsons