Future lawyer Micaiah White, A25, is prepared for anything thanks to a paralegal internship and immersive experiences that have allowed her to discover what shes good atand why its good for the world.
From Chambersburg, Pa., Micaiah applied to 91Թ sight unseen. It wasnt until she attended an event for admitted students that she fell in love with life on the Bluff.
Even during that first visit, I knew I made the right choice, she said.
Although Micaiahs studies kept her busyshe juggled majors in political science and philosophy and a minor in sociologyshe dedicated plenty of time to campus involvement. Micaiah served as president of
the NAACP and as an orientation leader, and she performed with the Ballroom Dance
Association.
Micaiah also studied abroad in France and Greece. Through these trips, she built confidence
and practiced independence as she visited coastal towns and immersed herself in local
culture. A paralegal internship (discovered on the Universitys Handshake platform)
at Sommer Law Group allowed Micaiah to flex this newfound confidence.
It was very enriching because they practice many areas of law, so I had a chance
to dabble in every kind of perspective, said Micaiah. I want to be a lawyer, and
this afforded me the opportunity to see all types of practices.
At the firm, Micaiah conducted research, assisted with events, worked on case files
and record-keeping, and handled intake calls.
The internship dovetailed nicely with her 91Թ coursework as she developed a new
passion for public policy.
I took the class with Dr. Lew Irwin, and it really sparked my interest, said Micaiah. It was eye-opening to see that
realm of law and government, and it showed me theres lots of things within this country
that need to be solved and can be solved. We need people like policy analysts who
can make recommendations.
Micaiah appreciates faculty who walked alongside her, like Dr. Irwin, and the personal
connections she was able to forge.
Theyre there for me, very involved with us and always giving us opportunities to
engage in different ways, like connecting us with internships, she said. They really
look out for us.
As newly graduated Micaiah takes a gap year prior to law school, she reflects on what
she wishes she wouldve known as a new college student.
Although it might be uncomfortable putting yourself out there, you need to do it,
she said. Step out of the comfort zonetheres not always someone there to hold your
hand and you have to take advantage of every opportunity you can.
News Information
Published
June 02, 2025
