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Alumni Mock Interview Program Launched February 2021
In Spring 2021, several NCCU School of Law alumni expressed an interest in helping law students build their interview skills. The NCCU Law Alumni Association collaborated with the Office of Career Services and Professional Development and launched a mock interview program for the law students. The virtual interviews were offered during day and evening hours to accommodate busy schedule of both the alumni and students. Students were able to register online for the 30-minute slots.
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The effort was spearheaded by alumni Bianca Williams (’15) of the Greenvillebased AFFC Law Firm, who mobilized over a dozen Legal Eagle alumni to participate. “I count it as an honor and privilege to give back to my law school in this manner. I remember the alumni support I received as a student and I always vowed to pay it forward. The African proverb, “Each one, teach one” embodies my ‘why’. I am so thankful to have a network full of Legal Eagles that feel the same!”
Those efforts have not gone unnoticed by law school administrators who say it’s a challenge to connect the students and alumni during a nationwide pandemic. Associate Dean of Students Rhonda DeCambre said, “These alumni are invested in the student’s success – they know the stress and challenges of law school, and are volunteering time out of their day to help our students achieve their career goals. We are very grateful and consider this a win-win for all involved. Students are interviewing remotely for jobs they will work remotely. Working with our alumni is helping them respond to the new normal of the legal job market.”
So far, over 35 law students have benefited from the Mock Interview program, including four 1L students, who worked with alumni Sonny Haynes (‘10) partner with law firm of Womble Bond Dickinson. All four students were selected as finalists in the Minorities in the Profession (MIP) legal internship program and received and accepted job offers from law firms and corporations for Summer 2021. Haynes said the “during the mock interviews, all of the students were well-prepared and professional – a testament to the guidance and support they are receiving from all of you at the Law School.”
The nine law students who participated in the North Carolina Legal Internship Program were also prepared through the alumni Mock Interview Program. Third-year law student Destiny Smith said she “was excited for the opportunity to work on my interview skills and connect with alumni. However, I gained more than just interview tips from Attorney [Bianca] Williams; I also gained a mentor.”
In addition to attorney Williams, other alumni participated in this program including: Chassidy Barham. Kayla Britt, Freddie Cruz, Ray Griffis, Alex Gwynn, Sonny Haynes, Nicole Jones, Charles M. Kunz, Tiffany Lawson, Jasana Levy, Karen Lewers, Pooyan Ordubadi, Joshua Richardson, Shana Wynn-Rushing and Casiya Thaniel.
Undoubtedly, Destiny speaks for many of her classmates when she says, “As I am thankful that alumni such as Attorney Williams are so eager to give advice and extend a helping hand in making sure our future is bright.”
BIANCA WILLIAMS, ‘15 SONNY HAYNES, ‘10
