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As a second-year student at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, I owe much of my academic success to my family, friends, mentors and, above all, God. I would be remiss to begin without acknowledging the countless individuals who have poured their time, wisdom and support into my personal and professional development.
One of the fundamental reasons I chose to attend law school was to better understand the world around me. As the child of immigrants and a first-generation student, I spent much of my upbringing learning how to navigate unfamiliar institutions and systems for family members who faced cultural or language barriers. While I did not realize it then, translating documents, researching government websites and breaking down complicated information would eventually help prepare me for a career in law.
My intellectual curiosity and interest in government led me to study Law and Public Policy at Indiana University Bloomington. During undergrad, I participated in the Washington Leadership Program, which gave me the opportunity to spend a semester interning on Capitol Hill. That experience allowed me to see firsthand how law and government intersect at the federal level.
After graduating from college, I decided to take a gap year before beginning law school. At the time, taking a year off felt like I was delaying my future. Looking back, I am grateful that I gave myself the opportunity to explore my interests while gaining practical experience. I encourage other prelaw students and law students to seek opportunities where they can gain exposure to different practice groups and the day-to-day work of attorneys. During my gap year, I interned with both the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and Barnes & Thornburg LLP.
At MCPO, I worked with the community outreach team. I attended resource fairs, neighborhood festivals and public safety events to connect residents with MCPOs workshops and resources. One of my favorite experiences was attending “El Grito,” the Mexican Independence Day celebration. Being able to communicate in Spanish and engage with Indianapolis’ Mexican-American community showed me the role government can play in bridging the gap by making resources more accessible to the public.
At B&T, I worked as a government services and legislative intern. There, I gained exposure to Indiana’s legislative process. In this role, I tracked legislation by attending committee hearings and providing weekly newsletters for our clients. This internship showed me a deeper understanding of how interest groups, constituents and elected officials interact throughout the policymaking process.
Together, my experiences at MCPO and B&T broadened my understanding of the varied roles of attorneys. They also reinforced my interest in working at the intersection of business, law and government. At the moment, I hope to pursue a career working with local governments, businesses and residents to navigate the legal and policy issues that shape how communities grow and function.
An organization that has been instrumental in my development as a law student is IU McKinney’s student chapter of the American Constitution Society, doe which I currently serve as the chapter’s vice president. This year, our ACS chapter organized an election law and voting rights panel ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. In addition, we will host our annual “Branches of Justice” event at the Indiana Statehouse. This event gives students an opportunity to engage with attorneys, legislators and judges representing all three branches of government. IU McKinney’s location in Indianapolis gives us unparalleled access to law firms, government agencies and the courts. We also benefit from an incredible alumni network that continues to give back to the law school.
Throughout this journey, I have remained proud of my Mexican-American heritage. While navigating higher education and the legal profession has not always been easy, I have come to recognize that my background makes me a more informed and empathetic person. I am grateful for the opportunity to study law, and I have learned to appreciate how every challenge, setback and opportunity has ultimately brought me to where God intended me to be.•
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Rojas is a second-year student at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
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