Written by: Abigail Woldemariam, Generation Next RightTrack Intern
I am Abigail Woldemariam, a graduating senior at Central High School and Right Track spring intern for Generation Next. Following graduation, I will study international studies at the University of St. Thomas on a pre-law track. Initially, I chose this internship because I was interested in education and learning about policy making behind the scenes, however, I never saw myself in the field of education as an aspiring lawyer. This internship taught me that I can work in educational reform as an aspiring lawyer and that both the field of law and education are very vast, encompassing many roles within them.
The intersection of law and education is important to me because it aligns with my core values. From a young age, justice was something I highly valued. I hated seeing anything unfair, which is what led me to be interested in law. After spending the past 14 years in the education system and the past year and a half working with kids, I have seen the outcomes of education inequity, and I hope to work to close the gaps in the future as a lawyer.
During my time at Generation Next, I got the opportunity to attend many meetings and truly learn what goes on behind the scenes in changing the outcomes of educational gaps. I had the chance to meet numerous people, all working in different areas of expertise, like data analysts, policy makers, lawyers, educators, etc. All working towards the same goal. This showed me that just like law, there are vast opportunities within education. After also speaking to lawyers, I saw that I, too, could work in education as a lawyer.
Two of the lawyers I got a chance to speak with were Natalia Madryga and Haley Taylor Schultz, both of whom have a background working in education and are licensed attorneys. Natalia Mardryga works at Momentum as a lobbyist focused primarily on early childhood education. I didn’t quite understand what lobbyists do; therefore, getting to speak with her shaped my understanding of policy. “Lobbying is about getting policymakers to care about the policies they work towards,” she said. To be a lobbyist, however, law school is not required, but the two fields can definitely go hand in hand. Haley Taylor Schultz, on the other hand, is currently a licensed attorney working in public safety, with plans to switch to educational law. Haley accomplished a lot at a young age, like making history at just 19, as the youngest Black American and the youngest woman to graduate from law school in the US. While in law school, Haley worked as an educator, which really shifted my perspective as I have always been interested in working in a classroom setting, but was always closed off to the idea, as I wanted to be a lawyer. Speaking to Haley made me realize my options were not limited, that I can major in an education-related field, work in education, and still be a lawyer.
Law isn’t limited to one career.
Law touches nearly all parts of society, therefore, unlike most careers, law is more of an umbrella, encompassing many different career paths. This means you can’t limit yourself to a major that “prepares” you for law school. “There is no major that truly prepares you for law school,” Haley Taylor Schiltz. Many students choose Political Science as their major with no interest in political science, simply because they think it will appeal to law schools. However, law schools care more about your performance than your major. This means you should choose a major you are truly interested in and are good at, because passion leads to excellence. These options are vast, as there are numerous types of lawyers: Criminal defense attorney, environmental lawyer, intellectual property lawyer, family law attorney, immigration lawyer, technology and cybersecurity lawyer, corporate lawyer, entertainment/sports lawyer, and real estate lawyer. Due to this, there are many options for aspiring lawyers. Someone planning on pursuing criminal law might choose to study criminal justice, whereas someone studying environmental law might choose environmental science. The options are unlimited, and that is my favorite thing about law.
Today, the intersection of law and education is more crucial than ever due to the significant and ongoing changes in the educational landscape. From debates over curriculum content and book bans to legal challenges surrounding equity, accessibility, and student rights, education has become a highly contested legal space. It is increasingly important for lawyers to engage directly in the field of education, not only to defend legal rights but to help shape policies that reflect the needs of students and educators.
This internship has been a transformative experience for me, both personally and professionally. It affirmed my passion for justice and showed me that the law is not confined to courtrooms —it is something that influences nearly every sector of society, including education. I came into this internship simply wanting to learn more about policymaking, but I leave with a deeper, more refined understanding of how I can integrate my passion for law and education into a meaningful career. Before this internship, I never imagined that lawyers could play such a powerful role in shaping educational outcomes. I thought I had to choose between law and education, but this experience showed me that the two are not mutually exclusive. To other students interested in both law and education, my biggest piece of advice I learned is don’t box yourself in, as law is not a single path and is filled with endless opportunities.
As I prepare to begin my next chapter at the University of St. Thomas, I’m more excited than ever. This internship didn’t just solidify my interest in law, it also expanded my vision of the kind of lawyer I want to be. I now see law as a tool for change, intersecting with numerous fields. That realization is something I’ll carry with me far beyond this internship.