Walker Helms ’19, a political science major who double minored in sport and event management and leadership studies, from Radford, Virginia will transition to Wake Forest School of Law this fall and credits the Student Professional Development Center with supporting him throughout the admissions process.
Walker Helms ’19, is a political science major who double minored in sport and event management and leadership studies, from Radford, Virginia, who will transition to Wake Forest School of Law this fall. He credits the Student Professional Development Center with supporting him throughout the admissions process.
Helms is the next student to be highlighted in a series of E-net profiles on the recent experiences of students who work alongside professionals in the Student Professional Development Center to explore career interests, find job and internship opportunities, prepare for interviews, develop graduate school application materials, and more.
Walker recently answered questions from the SPDC about his experience.
Who did you work within the Student Professional Development Center to prepare, and what help did you receive?
René Jackson helped me revise my personal statement and turn a shoddy list of extracurriculars into a professional resume. Her guidance was essential to my personal admissions process experience. I found Ms. Jackson to be a true mentor and an honest friend.
How did your interest in attending law school develop?
As an American and global citizen, I feel as though I bear a duty to my family, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens to challenge myself to reach my full potential both intellectually and professionally.
My community service experience and collegiate involvement with the Kernodle Center and Elon Volunteers have prepared me for and encouraged me to pursue a career as a public servant. The lawyering profession is an essential service and law school will help prepare me to serve my community.
Tell me about your experience getting accepted into Wake Forest Law.
As I developed an interest in law school, Wake has been my top choice. I am confident that my writing ability, personal experience, and academic performance stood out in my application, and as a result, In addition to being accepted by Wake Law, I was also offered a generous scholarship.
What career goals do you have after you gain this graduate experience?
My overarching goal is to serve my community, my country, and my faith at the same time. It is safe to say that right now I don’t know exactly what I am going to do but I have considered a number of career paths. I am interested in a career as an attorney in the military, in sports, university administration, or as a district judge.
What recommendations would you like to share with other students about the Student Professional Development Center?
Coming to college was a big deal for me. The transition placed me outside of my comfort zone. On top of that, conversations about my plans and steps after college caused anxiety. I learned that it is okay if you don’t know what you want to do. The SPDC staff understands and will serve as a resource tailored to you.
I wish I had consulted the SPDC earlier in my Elon career. They are more than just a set of eyes ready to look over your personal documents. They are a group of mentors ready to help you set goals and identify what you want to do.
Which faculty members did you work with to prepare and what help did you receive?
Dr. Elisha Savchak-Trogdon, Elon’s pre-law advisor, met with me to lay out timelines and set expectations with me throughout the law school admissions process. Additionally, Professor Bill Squadron of the Sport Management Department discussed law school and a career as a lawyer with me. His experience as an attorney and the Sports Law course he taught truly bolstered my interest in the legal profession. He also wrote a letter of recommendation for me along with Dr. Cara McFadden and Dr. Jon Dooley, both personal mentors.