Name:  Claire Dupuis

Hometown:  Ames, Iowa

Major and Graduation Date:  Agriculture & Society and English, May 2020

Favorite ISU class:  Women in Agriculture and the Food System, taught by Dr. Carmen Bain, was a favorite class of mine. Dr. Bain is an enthusiastic professor who shares a wealth of knowledge from her research in the areas of agriculture, food systems, and gender.  I found the guest speakers, presentations, and class discussions to be very engaging.  Taking this course led to the valuable opportunity for me to work as a TA for Dr. Bain the following year.

Job Title & Company:  Second-year student at Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa and law clerk at Laird Law Firm in Mason City, Iowa.

Major Job/Position Responsibilities:  I am completing my second year of coursework as a Drake University Law School student.  I have been challenged by courses such as Constitutional Law, Secured Transactions, and Property and enjoy seeing how these topics relate to the real world.  During the summer I am a law clerk at Laird Law Firm in Mason City, Iowa.  My duties include assisting with research, document drafting, and other projects relating to estate planning, probate, and corporate law.  Most importantly, Laird Law Firm provides me the opportunity to shadow experienced attorneys and learn from them. 

What do you like most about your job/position?  I enjoy Drake Law School’s emphasis on practical skills and benefit from professors who also work as judges and attorneys in the state of Iowa.  They share anecdotes and wisdom from the field of law that textbooks alone can’t provide.  Working at Laird Law Firm has shown me how a conscientious legal practice, that prioritizes meeting the needs of their clients, can support and strengthen a community.

What advice would you give to current students pursuing a career in Agriculture and Life Sciences?  Take advantage of the many opportunities Iowa State presents to students!  Iowa State’s location and strong professional network make it possible to gain valuable work experience while taking classes.  For example, I was able to intern at a law firm, a county attorney’s office, the state attorney general’s office, and a probation center while I was an undergraduate.  In these roles I made professional connections who still support me today—and these experiences assisted with my law school admission and scholarship opportunities.