Getting Real World Experience is Critical

Andrea Bell, a 1997 graduate of Bates, currently serves as a corporate attorney for the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NAASP), a non-profit organization. In addition to serving as general counsel for the organization, Andrea also provides services to their membership of around 35,000 middle and high school principals. She also works with the National Honor Society and the National Student Council, two student-based groups that part of NAASP. The purpose of the National Association of Secondary School Principals is to provide professional development and networking opportunities for school principals. Andrea's organization listens to the concerns of their members, and communicates these needs through lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill.

After graduating from Bates, Andrea pursued her law degree at George Mason University. A valuable part of her education included a part-time job as a law clerk in the education law field. This influential experience, paired with an alumni contact discovered through the George Mason University Office of Career Services, allowed Andrea to obtain her current position.

When asked what advice she would give to students interested in working in her field, Andrea replied that students need to pursue relevant opportunities to get into the field while they are still in school. Getting real world experience is critical, both for gaining knowledge of the field and for making important networking connections. Bell emphasized the importance of always being on the lookout for possible opportunities explore career interests.

People who are successful in law careers possess the ability to realize their knowledge boundaries while being determined to stretch their own limitations. Lawyers cannot make up answers, and they cannot be unaware of current research in their field. Andrea emphasized the importance of reading and keeping current on news and research, saying 'you should never become a relic'. She advised 'If you are ever faced with a question you can't answer, do the research on it immediately.'

Law school is a very analytical experience, Andrea says. To be well prepared, students must take course work to develop this skill while in college. Aside from taking some of the many courses that fit this description at Bates, she also advises that students should study what they find most interesting. This way you learn to really 'sink your teeth' into learning and research, which will greatly help you in law school and beyond. Also, Andrea credits service learning and internships with greatly enhancing the college and law school experience by providing real world experience along with education.

As for her future plans, Andrea is not sure. She is very happy with her current job, exclaiming 'only two years out of law school, [and I'm] doing what [I] wanted my whole life!' Although she does eventually want to teach a masters level program for school administrators, Andrea says that this would only supplement, not replace, her current satisfying job.