As a law student interested in a non-conventional career, I found Crystal Brown’s discussion with Dean Lennon informative and reassuring. I came to law school with the intention of working for the Federal Government. Yet, I am still not exactly certain how I will achieve that goal. The discussion confirmed what I have heard from other Federal employees: there is no formulaic way to obtain a job in the Federal Government. Rather, it will require taking some risks and keeping your mind open to jobs you never thought you would have interest in. Ms. Brown’s career path is great example for any law student interested in a successful career in government.
Ms. Brown’s interest in public policy, rooted in her undergraduate studies at Duke University, led her to Temple Law. After graduation, she had the opportunity to clerk for notable Temple alum, the Honorable Clifford Scott Green. She spoke highly of her experience and strongly recommended a federal clerkship upon graduation from Temple. The relationship she forged with Judge Green and the experience she gained were invaluable to her ultimate success. The opportunity to be mentored by a well-respected judge right after graduation is a great foundation to any career. It is a chance to practically apply skills to real world situations. Most importantly, it is a time to make mistakes and grow by learning from a knowledgeable judge. Ms. Brown’s clerkship with Judge Green was undoubtedly a fundamental step in her career.
It is not easy to take a risk and deviate from the norm or leave a stable job. Yet, Ms. Brown took a risk when she took a leave of absence from her position as an associate at Bryan Cave, a well-respected law firm in New York City, to be an unpaid volunteer on the Obama campaign in Chicago. She was a little over two years out of Temple Law with an amazing job and life in New York City. I am not sure many other recent law school graduates would find the courage to trade in a stable, well-paying job for a volunteer position. She realized the campaign would be an experience of a lifetime and felt compelled to be a part of it. Through her experience with the campaign, she made a connection that ultimately led to her first job at the White House where she vetted presidential nominees who required Senate approval.
The risk that Ms. Brown took was not uncalculated. She thoughtfully considered her options and decided this was the right risk to take because of how strongly she felt about the Obama campaign. Although it is difficult to take any risk, I will remember this example as I go forward and hope that I can muster up the courage to step outside the box.
An unconventional career path may lead you to a job you never thought you would have. In 2010, Ms. Brown took a job with the Department of Justice that she was not interested in at the time. She worked as Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division. She was more interested in social policy issues than environmental issues, but this job allowed her to remain in the Federal Government and continue to serve her country. Her ability to adapt and succeed in a role that she never saw herself in was remarkable. She demonstrated that although a job may not appear ideal, it can leave you with valuable skills and you may even learn to truly enjoy it.
Most importantly, she was able to have a meaningful impact on the lives of many throughout her time at the Department of Justice and the White House. At the Department of Justice, she worked on handling the legal aftermath of the BP oil spill in 2010. As a Counselor and Senior Policy Advisor to the General Counsel at the Office of Management and Budget she worked to implement the Federal Budget and policies. It was notable how much she appreciated the work she did and the impact it had on others. It is truly inspiring to see Temple Law graduates with this passion for their careers.
Ms. Brown did not provide a formulaic way to establish a career at the Department of Justice or the White House, but she did offer reassurance that it can be done with an open mind and persistence.
