Hello, my name is Kassi Tallent, and I teach Grade 9 Honors English Language at BIPH. I majored in English at Rice University and later received my Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from The University of Texas School of Law. I have been working with students since I was in college, and I have been a full-time teacher for five years now.
I chose to get my Bachelor’s degree in English for two reasons: first, because I have always loved reading and writing, and second, because it’s a very versatile degree. I still wasn’t sure what career I wanted to pursue when I was in college, and a good English degree can position you to move into a variety of communication-related fields. After college, I decided to pursue a career in law because I believed that this most closely matched my strengths of being a strong reader, writer and analytical thinker.
During my English degree program, I had been used to having lots of interesting class discussions and getting regular feedback on my writing. When I first started out at law school, however, I didn’t like it very much and I wondered if I had made a mistake. In the first year of law school, most of the classes are really large, and there is only one exam for the whole semester, which takes place at the end. The week before you take your first exams is very stressful because you don’t know “where you stand,” and you feel really nervous that you won’t do well. Over time, though, I was able to get into smaller classes that focused more on my specific interests in international law.
As I said, I actually did not have a blueprint for my future career when in college. But fortunately, I was able to get a job practicing international arbitration with a large law firm, which I found much more interesting than traditional domestic law practice. I worked in international arbitration for eight years, and I can truthfully say that the job was just as interesting as I had imagined it to be. I learned about many different industries, gained a variety of skills, including project management, and had the chance to travel and work with people from all around the world.
In the end, I decided to leave the job because my heart wasn’t in it. I have a kind of obsessive personality when it comes to work, and I will always push myself to be the best. I realized that I wanted to use my time and energy for something that meant more to me on a personal level, rather than on solving disputes over money. I am incredibly happy that I am now a teacher, but, if I had to do it all again, I would not change any of my decisions.
For any students who are considering a legal career, it can certainly be intellectually stimulating and financially rewarding. However, be aware that if you want to succeed, you will need to read and write extensively, have strong logic and argumentation skills, and be willing to work demanding hours!