Job Talk Tuesday: Finding Fulfillment In Unexpected Places

"BE OPEN TO THINGS YOU DIDN'T THINK WOULD BE PART OF YOUR CAREER PLAN."

Kelli Rodriguez Currie, Class of 2014

Kelli Rodriguez Currie never planned to be a lawyer, or a teacher, and especially not the Director of Seattle U Law's International and Graduate Studies. However, Kelli was curious, motivated, and open to experiences she didn't necessarily ever think would be a part of her career path.  

Listen in on this week's JTT as Kelli, Class of 2014, discusses her  dynamic career path. When an initial plan to be a physical therapist morphed into a career in tech, Kelli already had established an open mind to career ventures once she was first introduced to the area of sports law. Fascinated by the subject matter, Kelli found herself in law school and then later, leading the classes herself!

As she shares in this week's session, Kelli's unique professional path resulted from her understanding and embrace of timeless career advice: be open to the unexpected; leverage the skills and background you already have; market the multifaceted skillset a J.D. offers; lean into every experience you can; and never stop being curious. Kelli remained open to every possibility her career path offered, and while some might have been unexpected, they each built upon one another to lead her to an exciting professional destination.

Watch and listen to Kelli's Job Talk

Job Talk Tuesday: Staying Patient & Staying Optimistic

"It's About Staying Patient, Staying Committed, And Not Losing Faith Or Your Sense Of Optimism."

Matthew Audish, Class of 2021

Having started law school in the Fall of 2019, Matthew Audish's law school experience looked quite a bit different than he originally expected once the pandemic struck in March 2020. Still, the lessons Matthew learned as a student and new graduate are applicable and relevant to fellow students and alumni, whether the pandemic colored your law school experience or not.

Tune into this week's Job Talk Tuesday as Matthew, a December 2021 graduate and now Associate at Ryan Swanson & Cleveland, discusses his post-graduate job search and how the lessons he learned and habits he developed as a student have followed him into his first few months of practice.

When discussing his post-graduate job search, Matthew highlights two mindsets that will serve you well: staying patient and staying optimistic. While his internships, judicial externships, and law school courses helped Matthew develop skills and habits needed for practice, his work with CPD helped equip him with the tools necessary to land his first legal position. Through remaining persistent (applying to 40+ positions in just a few months) and openminded, embracing his curiosity, asking employers about their workplace culture, and seeking connections in the legal community, Matthew finally struck his big break with a firm that aligned with his professional goals. As Matthew makes clear, it was the act of networking and seeking the support of others in the legal community that helped connect him to opportunity. By remaining persistent and positive, Matthew's belief that he would end up where he was supposed to end up became a reality.

Watch and listen to Matthew's Job Talk

Job Talk Tuesday: Listening to the Call of Your Career

"You Should Try To Push Yourself To Try New Things."

Cindy Yeung, SU Law Class of 2004

This week hear from SU Law's very own Cindy Yeung, Class of 2004 and Assistant Dean of the Access to Justice Institute (ATJI), as she provides an overview of her exciting and multidimensional legal career. 

Cindy's professional path, and the exciting places it has taken her, highlights the power of possessing an open mind and reveals the opportunities that can be discovered with the courage to pursue new and challenging experiences. 

From clerking in Superior Court, to protecting the rights of citizens through civil legal aid, supporting law students interested in public service careers, and serving as an Administrative Law Judge, Cindy has a knack for listening to the call of her next career move, and then acting on it. While Cindy will be leaving the law school at the end of September, we are more than confident that her next role, like her past ones, will be exciting, challenging, and focused on bettering the lives of others. Always a strong supporter of students and other attorneys, Cindy looks forward to  keeping in touch through her LinkedIn here.

While we will all dearly miss Cindy at the law school, give this week's JTT a listen as her insight and advice will stay with you for a very long time! 

Watch and Listen to Cindy's Job Talk

Job Talk Tuesday: Every Opportunity is a Stepping Stone

"Allow yourself to be fully vested in each opportunity for growth."

Archie Roundtree, Jr., SU Law Class of 2018

Archie Roundtree, Jr., the first attorney in his family, embraced the challenging journey of law school with a cheerful grit and determination that set him apart from others.  All those who worked with Archie found his positivity and lust for life infectious, and it was clear that the world was his for the taking.

Listen as Archie shares his advice for new graduates as they enter the legal profession. From starting law school with an open heart and mind to explore, to viewing each opportunity as the chance to further skill development, Archie's mindset and belief in the importance of physical, mental, and spiritual health has propelled him into a career focused on bettering the lives of others, first as an Equal Justice Fellow with Bet Tzedek Legal Services (read more about his EJW fellowship here) and now in his current role as an Equity Attorney for Justice in Aging.

Archie's joyful and motivating approach to professional development is evident in his Job Talk. From reminding you how to be your best self to making clear that "you went to law school in a pandemic - you're the definition of resilience personified!", Archie will inspire you as you begin your post-graduate job search.  Interested in learning more about Archie? Connect with him on LinkedIn here!

Watch and Listen to Archie's Job Talk

Job Talk Tuesday: Jump In, The Water's Fine

"I might as well just jump in with both feet."

Erin Fullner, Director of Professional Development & Alumni Relations at SU Law

Sometimes the deep end is exactly where you need to be, so don't be afraid to jump in. "You don't know what you don't know" – be flexible, be bold, be open. 

For this last Job Talk Tuesday of the season, CPD's own Erin Fullner focuses on flexibility, providing a reminder that your first job is about growth, and the best opportunities for growth sometimes show up in unexpected places. 

You never know what each opportunity could bring, so it doesn't make sense to rule out possibilities before you've earnestly explored them, especially early in your career. Talk to Erin or one of the other advisors in the Center for Professional Development for guidance and encouragement. 

Watch and Listen to Erin's Job Talk

If you would like a transcript of the interview, please contact Erin Fullner

Job Talk Tuesday: Step Up Your Game

"Step your game up - whether that's constantly improving your skills, constantly networking, or constantly looking for and doing things that will separate you from the competition."

David Tran, SU Law Class of 2015

David Tran, associate attorney at Helsell Fetterman, talks about his previous judicial clerkship and the value of looking at your early jobs in the law as an opportunity to develop skills. You don't have to know what area you want to practice in right off the bat; using your first job (or two) to build a varied skill set and explore options can help you find the right path for you. 

"Be intentionally flexible," as David says. Most folks don't land right into their ideal job, so be open to things you may not have considered before - they can move you closer to your goals.

Watch and Listen to David's Job Talk

If you would like a transcript of the interview, please contact Erin Fullner

Job Talk Tuesday: Don't Be Afraid

"Don't be afraid to take a risk and follow your gut."

Kasha Roseta, SU Law Class of 2014

Don't be afraid to try things, don't be afraid to take risks, and don't be afraid to post a Job Talk Tuesday on a Thursday (that last one is very specific, so no need to commit it to memory). Adapting is key to your development as a professional, and knowing who you are and how to combine your strengths can help you successfully identify and make necessary change.

Kasha Roseta, Equity and Civil Rights Program Supervisor at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, discovered that combining her love for education and law was the winning formula for career satisfaction for her, but it took a willingness to try things, along with honesty and courage, to get there.

Watch and Listen to Kasha's Job Talk

If you would like a transcript of the interview, please contact Erin Fullner

Job Talk Tuesday: Spirit of Adventure

"Every day is a new adventure."

Jason Lantz, SU Law Class of 2010

Approach your job path with an adventurous spirit and you’re sure to succeed! Lawyering is hard work, but the rewards are big and you'll meet wonderful people along the way.

Jason Lantz, a trial attorney with the Law Offices of Geoffrey Burg, finds fulfillment in recognizing that every day is a new adventure filled with profound challenges and lifechanging solutions. So whatever you do, do it with a great team and the knowledge that practicing law is an honor and a privilege.

Watch and Listen to Jason's Job Talk

If you would like a transcript of the interview, please contact Erin Fullner

Job Talk Tuesday: Find Your Voice

"Find Your Voice."

Syesha Thomas, SU Law Class of 2017

You and your authentic voice are needed in the law. As Syesha Thomas, District Manager & Sales Leader for Amazon Web Services in San Francisco, shares, "Going to law school enabled me to find my voice." 

In this week's Job Talk, Syesha discusses how four commitments will help you be extraordinary as you use your voice to carve out a successful career path: 

1. Outwork your opponent
2. Be strategic
3. Be resilient
4. Have a clear thought on who you want to be in the world!

Watch and Listen to Syesha's Job Talk

If you would like a transcript of the interview, please contact Erin Fullner

Job Talk Tuesday: Make A Name For Yourself

“To make a name for myself, I had to work at it.”

Javier Ortiz, SU Law Class of 2016

What is Job Talk Tuesday all about? Last summer, as our recent graduates faced an uncertain job market, we reached out to alumni who started their legal careers during the Great Recession for inspiration. Their stories of grit and messages of encouragement were so timeless that we’re bringing the series back this summer. Though the legal job market is healthy, flexibility is always a virtue in your first job search. As today’s Job Talk alum, Javier Ortiz, reminds us, we could spend days talking about resilience—so we will! 

Spend some time with Javi, an associate at Beacon Attorneys, a boutique family law firm here in Seattle. Javi shares how he used his charisma and gift of gab to build experience and a network of attorneys. He made a name for himself, and you will too.

Watch and Listen to Javi's Job Talk

If you would like a transcript of the interview, please contact Erin Fullner

Job Talk Tuesday: It Only Takes One

"I just need one job. It doesn’t matter what’s out there, it doesn’t matter how many people I’m competing with, it doesn’t matter that it’s a recession - just one job."

Shashi Vijay, SU Law Class of 2008

It's hard to believe we've come to the close of our summer series, Job Talk Tuesdays, but we're ending with adventure! Shashi Vijay, founder of VJ Law Firm and Chair-Elect of the Washington State Bar Association's Solo & Small Firm Section, discusses going out and boldly creating her own job as a solo practitioner.

Shashi has found great satisfaction as a solo practitioner, working primarily in the areas of business and real estate – for her it was the one right thing. Whether you aim to work for someone else, or have an entrepreneurial spirit that is calling you to create your own job as a solo, heed Shashi's advice that "persistence pays," and remember that all it takes is "just one job – you’ll find it."

If you're seriously considering solo practice, know that Shashi believes, "it is something you can do. You already have the skills, you do have the knowledge." And you don't have to go it alone. Look for mentors, solo practice associations, and others who can encourage you. The law school's incubator program is designed to help lawyers pursue their solo dreams surrounded by support and community, so look into that as well.

Thank you for tuning in each week for interviews with alumni with grit – it's been a privilege to feature their stories. Job Talk Tuesdays will return next summer, so if you'd like to be in the lineup, contact Erin Fullner.

Watch and Listen to Shashi's Job Talk

Read the Transcript

Job Talk Tuesday: What's in a Dream?

"My first job wasn’t my dream job... but I knew that it was a step in the right direction and that it was a crucial step to get to the places that I ultimately wanted to go."

Matt Etter, SU Law Class of 2012

Dreams are not where we begin, they're what we make over time. One of the law school's own career advisors, Matt Etter, Associate Director of the Center for Professional Development, talks about what it means to move from possibility to passion. Matt discusses the self-awareness, patience, and even sacrifices that come with moving closer and closer to discovering what you want out of your career, and then achieving it.

You probably won't land your dream job right out of law school, but what a liberating thought! Once you realize that the first job you take won't determine the course of your entire career, you can start to see possibilities around every corner. We're so fortunate that Matt approached his career with this kind of insight, because he's exceptionally good at what he does, and if he hadn't made room for reflection, curiosity, and openness, he might have missed out on the joy he gets from helping others make their dreams come true, and his very lucky colleagues and students would have missed out too.

Follow Matt's lead: dream with purpose, and dream with patience.

Watch and Listen to Matt's Job Talk

Read the Transcript

Job Talk Tuesday: Mindset is Everything

"Mindset is everything."

Sarah Cho, Class of 2009

"You never know where that not dream job will lead you."

Rachel Luke, Class of 2009

"You've got to figure out what's a driver for you."

Kim Sandher, SU Law Class of 2009

Just because there's no baseball, doesn't mean we can't hit a triple! Sarah Cho, Owner and Founder of Peak Justice Criminal Defense, Rachel Luke, Associate Attorney at Friedman Rubin, and Kim Sandher, Attorney at Pivotal Law Group, provide three valuable perspectives on how to succeed in your job search, even when it feels like you're trailing by three runs in the bottom of the ninth.

These three attorneys took divergent routes and are in very different practice areas from one another, but they share, in addition to a long-lasting friendship, an outlook marked by drive, persistence, ownership, and versatility. That mindset, coupled with a vision of where each opportunity could lead, brought these alumni to the satisfying careers they're in today.

Watch and Listen to Kim, Rachel, and Sarah's Job Talk

Read the Transcript

Job Talk Tuesday: Check Your Ego

"Always be willing to check your ego and say, 'maybe my approach isn’t the best way, please tell me how to do something.' It’s incredible what you’ll learn."

Eric Wolf, SU Law Class of 2012

Eric Wolf, Deputy Director of Washington’s Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, believes in the value of mentorship and the humility it takes to make the most of a mentor's advice.

It's not always easy for lawyers to ask for help, but in his years working in the state's capital, Eric has found that "mentors in the legal profession are very eager to cultivate a generation that follows them" and "have a vested interest in ensuring you are successful too." So don't be afraid to reach out to your network! And when you do, be real. Eric recommends being "vulnerable with them about your own misgivings or questions about entering the profession." Mentors have a wealth of guidance to share, but only if you're open to receiving it.

Sure, in a pandemic, we're not going anywhere, but we can still check baggage like fear, overconfidence, or inflexibility and open up a world of professional possibilities.

Watch and Listen to Eric's Story | Read the Transcript

Job Talk Tuesday: You Know What to Do

"In many respects, you know how to get through this next step, you just haven’t done it yet."

James Johnson, SU Law Class of 2012

James Johnson, Associate Attorney at Emery Reddy, litigates workers’ compensation, personal injury, and third-party matters throughout Washington State. Litigators know how to be persistent, and James reminds us that there are times when “…it is going to be a grind." But you're ready for that!

In his Job Talk, James explains, "It was a grind to get to law school, to get through law school, and whatever came to you before that in life.  In many respects, you know how to get through this next step, you just haven’t done it yet.”

You have the tools and the ability to take on the challenges ahead, so when it all feels like a grind, please repeat the mantra that you know what to do.

Watch and Listen to James's Story

Read the Transcript

Job Talk Tuesday: You Have What It Takes

"Don’t let someone tell you that you don’t have what it takes and that you aren’t going to make it in this economy, because you will."

Wendawn Miller-Frazer, SU Law Class of 2011

Wendawn Miller-Frazer, Associate in the Financial Services Group at Bahamas law firm, Lennox Paton, sat down with CPD this week to talk about how she achieved success in a "sink or swim" job market. Wendawn's career trajectory provides a powerful reminder that, "You have to know within you that you can do it."

If you need a reminder today to keep going, if you've ever doubted that those who went before you are rooting for you, or if you simply need to be encouraged to be kind to yourself, give this Job Talk a moment of your time.

Watch and Listen to Wendawn's Story

Read the Transcript

Job Talk Tuesday: Chart a Path

"You can’t copy what someone else did, so the purpose of

networking is not to memorize a path, it’s to get ideas so you can create your own path."

Megan Fouty Lutes, SU Law Class of 2009

"My career path was not linear, it was more a zigzag, but I love it. And I think having that diversity of experience has contributed to me being successful in my current role." 

Nada Alnajafi, SU Law Class of 2009


We had the privilege of hearing from two grads this week: Megan Fouty Lutes, Director of Legal at Convoy Inc, and Nada Alnajafi, Corporate Counsel at Franklin Templeton, took us on a journey from the day they met at 1L orientation to where their careers are today. You'll love this joint Job Talk! Take inspiration from these alumni — they charted their own paths, and you will too.

Watch and Listen to Megan and Nada's Story

Read the Transcript

Job Talk Tuesday: Pivot and Adapt

Don’t give up. Don’t get discouraged…Make sure you figure out ways to pivot and be adaptable.  If things aren’t going according to plan, realize there’s another way to get there. Sit down, think about it, readjust…and find a different way to get there.

Phil Chu, SU Law Class of 2012

Every day is Tuesday! Or at least that's what we say when we post a Job Talk Tuesday on a Wednesday. If, like us, you keep Tuesday in your heart all week long, we encourage you to check out this week's Job Talk.

Litigator Phil Chu of Weinstein Caggiano shares his thoughts on how to lean in to adjustment. Pivoting and adjusting when needed has served Phil well throughout his career; learn how a commitment to adaptability can work for you too.

Watch and Listen to Phil's Story

Read the Transcript

Job Talk Tuesday: What Are Your Values?

"What are your values? If you can bring those into the conversations that you have with individuals, you’ll find a way to constantly pivot." 

K.J. Bagchi, SU Law Class of 2011

It's Job Talk Tuesday! Almost...missed Tuesday by a few minutes (CPD never sleeps!).

This week K.J. Bagchi, Senior Policy Counsel at New America's Open Technology Institute, joined CPD for a Job Talk. K.J.'s focus areas are consumer privacy, platform accountability, and broadband access. Tune in to K.J.'s story for inspiring advice on how to let your values lead your career path, even when faced with unexpected turns.

Watch and Listen to K.J.'s Story | Read the Transcript

Job Talk Tuesday: It's the Hustle

"It’s the hustle and that perspective that really got me through those times." 

Michelle Pham, SU Law Class of 2011

With the holiday weekend, Tuesday became Thursday, but this week's Job Talk is here! Spend some time with Michelle Pham, Senior Attorney at Helsell Fetterman. Michelle is a commercial litigation and intellectual property attorney who was in law school during the Great Recession
(2008 to 2011). Michelle sat down with us to share her story of resilience and determination.

Take Michelle's advice: #itsthehustle!

Watch and Listen to Michelle's Story

Read the Transcript