World Traveler, Ballroom Dancer Maps Path to Law Career

From Chambersburg, Pa., Micaiah applied to Duquesne sight unseen. It wasn’t 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 Micaiah’s studies kept her busy—she juggled majors in political science and philosophy and a minor in sociology—she 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 University’s 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 Duquesne 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 there’s 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.
 
“They’re 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 would’ve 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 zone—there’s not always someone there to hold your hand and you have to take advantage of every opportunity you can.”