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If you are interested in majoring in political science or computer science in hopes of becoming a lawyer or knowledge scientist, which extracurriculars or internships should you look for to provide you with the best experience for post-graduation?

I am interested in both computer science and law, having not yet exactly decided a specific major. Once I do decide, I want to be able to get as much experience as possible and knowledge about the career path. I hope to acquire an internship or mentor that can provide helpful insight and/or experience in these careers that I can utilize after graduation.

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David’s Answer

Your dual interest in law (political science focus) and computer science (knowledge scientist focus) presents a unique opportunity, as the most valuable post-graduation experience lies in their intersection: Legal Technology, Data Privacy, and AI Policy. To maximize your preparation for either path, focus on extracurriculars and internships that build core skills applicable to both—analytical reasoning, persuasive communication, and proficiency in data management. For the law path, prioritize activities like Mock Trial, Debate Team, and Model UN to hone your legal analysis and adversarial communication skills, alongside internships with a local Public Defender, District Attorney, or a firm specializing in Intellectual Property (IP) or Data Privacy Law.

For the knowledge scientist path, your focus should be on demonstrable technical projects and data analysis skills, using clubs like Computer Science/Coding Club, Data Science Club, and Hackathons to build a portfolio of work. Crucially, regardless of your chosen major, you must seek experiences that bridge the two fields. This means looking for internships in Legal Tech startups (e.g., e-discovery or legal AI platforms), Congressional or Policy Offices that deal with technology legislation (like AI regulation or cybersecurity), or research assistant positions with professors who study the law's impact on technology or vice versa. These blended experiences will provide you with the essential technical fluency required to excel as a modern lawyer (especially in IP or regulatory compliance) or the communication and policy context necessary to apply data science effectively as a knowledge scientist.
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Allan’s Answer

If you decide to become a lawyer, think about what kind of lawyer you want to be. If you decide you want to be a patent attorney, you will need a strong technical minor (e.g., computer science, electrical engineering, chemistry, physics). If you want to work for a company or a law firm, think about what you are interested in and passionate about (computer science, chemistry, biology, medical devices, etc.).

You don't need to decide everything at once. Explore your interests to learn what you'd really like to do. Then focus on the areas, extracurricular activities and mentors related to what you want to do. Look for internships at your university to work as a lab assistant, etc. A good mentor or advisor can help you find internships and write reference letters.
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