By Valerie Contreras
Before stepping into the law office this summer, I had a pretty narrow idea of what working in the legal field looked like. I imagined everyone around me either deep into law school or laser-focused on getting there. What I quickly realized is—like many things in life—that picture was only half the truth.
In reality, many of the people I work with haven’t attended law school at all. Instead, they’ve built deep, practical knowledge through years of experience in litigation. It’s not about the degree you have hanging on the wall—it’s about what you know and how well you can navigate the system. That was one of the first surprises.
This personal injury law office is buzzing with communication. Every day is a web of emails, calls, and negotiations with insurance companies, hospitals, and other firms. It’s definitely sedentary work, but it’s also intense in a way I didn’t expect. There’s an emotional weight to it—clients come in after having been seriously wronged, and it’s our job to help set things right. That’s not a small responsibility.
One conversation that really stuck with me was with a lawyer who told me that law school doesn’t teach you how to be a lawyer. Instead, it teaches you how to think like one. The actual work—the strategy, the communication, the casework—that all comes with experience. It was a bit of a reality check, but in the best way. It helped me understand that real growth in this field doesn’t start and end in the classroom—it happens in practice.
Since joining the Global Scholars Program, I’ve grown a lot. Being in this environment pushed me to think more seriously about what I want from my future, and how I want to get there. I chose this summer experience because I wanted a closer look at what a legal career actually involves—not just the TV version, but the real, daily grind. So far, it’s taught me that there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work, a lot of paperwork, and a lot less courtroom drama unless you’re the one with “Esq.” after your name.
My physical environment hasn’t really changed—I’m still sitting at a desk most days—but the way I interact with it has. I’m beginning to understand how this field operates and where I might fit in.
So, where do I go from here? I want to spend the rest of this summer figuring out whether this is truly the direction I want to pursue. One step I’m considering is seeking out another internship—maybe at a firm that specializes in a different area of law—to broaden my perspective. I don’t have all the answers yet, but I’m much closer than I was a few months ago. And for now, that feels like real progress.
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