By MSL Governor William Onofre
Contact William at governor@msl.org
It may be exciting for some young undergraduate students, especially those who are passionate about politics, government, or the law, to be graduating in 2023. But as these undergraduates are getting closer to graduation, it’s time for them to start focusing on their career after college, whether that’s working at a job or going to graduate school (maybe a law school?). But if college admissions taught us anything during our high school senior years, we know that jobs and excellent graduate schools are looking for competitive students and workers. The following reasons show how MSL can benefit undergraduate students that could potentially benefit them in their future careers…
- Building Political Connections
Whether an undergrad is interested in state politics/government or not, it wouldn’t hurt to have connections to Maryland state senators and/or delegates. It would be quite impressive! As an MSL member, undergrads have a chance of meeting state senators, delegates, and even the Maryland Governor who could potentially connect with undergrads! Not to mention (if an undergrad ends up working or interning for a state politician), they could get a fancy letter of recommendation from a state politician which would attract the eyeballs of graduate admissions and/or workplaces. Hannah Shultz, A Director of The Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime and Prevention, says “when I look at job applications for this office, I always see if they have a letter of recommendation from a state government figure. When I see one, I am already considering you”.
- Practicing Public Speaking
If an undergrad has trouble with public speaking, MSL could help that student break those barriers. MSL understands that undergraduate students may have trouble with public speaking. But MSL creates a comfortable space of acceptance and gives great techniques about how to properly public speak. Spencer Knoll, a director of the organization said “When I used to be an MSL member 14 years ago, I had trouble with public speaking. But after a year of being an undergraduate member of MSL, they taught me important tips and tricks with Public Speaking. Now I am a changed man with better public speaking skills than ever”!
- The Chance to Win an Award to Build an Undergraduate Resume.
During MSL’s annual Legislative sessions, students have the chance to present and debate the bills they have written in the State Legislature. Not only would undergraduate students have fun participating in this organization, but they also have a chance of winning trophies such as best bill written, best oral speaker, best delegation, and best debater. Winning one of these awards is a chance to improve an undergrad resume and show off a potential achievement! Anthony Peyton, a member of the MSL Board, says that “MSL awards are a great look on resumes because it could potentially show an undergrad’s competent skills, team-working skills, and/or confidence which attracts good-paying jobs and graduate schools.
- Helps Give Students a Jumpstart Career in Politics, Government, or Law School!
As mentioned before, students have an opportunity to build political connections with state politicians within MSL. Those state politicians could also help an undergrad get more involved with their campaigns or could potentially hire an undergrad as a worker or intern! Undergrads could have more knowledge of how government/politics work from a comparative perspective and may gain experience that undergrads could put down on their resumes to attract potential jobs and/or graduate schools, especially law schools. Law schools love it when their applicants are involved in government and politics. Nancy Hernandez, a former undergraduate MSL member, who was able to get into Harvard Law School says she “thanks MSL for jumpstarting her career in public service as a legislative assistant which potentially got Harvard Law School’s attention and was admitted!”
- Jobs/Graduates Schools Would Witness and be Attracted by the Undergraduates MSL Advocacy
Jobs and Graduate schools (especially law schools), love it when their applicants show a sense of advocacy on certain issues. It shows them that their applicants care about issues and are not willing to be silent. It shows courage to stand up for these certain issues. MSL gives undergraduate students a chance to write legislation on certain Maryland issues. The Maryland General Assembly and Maryland Governor will eventually see the bills that undergrad students wrote. Some students’ bills have a chance of being introduced to the actual Maryland General Assembly and could potentially be passed in a real legislative session! It could also be signed into real law by the Maryland Governor! An undergrad’s MSL advocacy could potentially lead to real legislative solutions which would potentially make an undergrad stand out from the applicant pool. Dina Schultz from Georgetown Law Center Admissions even says that “any MSL member that demonstrates their advocacy in politics and demonstrates potential change would most definitely be considered for our Georgetown Law Center admissions”.
