Chapters

• 0:00 Who is Shianne Taylor? 
• 2:48 How law school and the study of law came into the picture for Shianne 
• 4:18 How Shianne came across Quinnipiac School of Law 
• 5:25 The transition from Oklahoma to Quinnipiac School of Law 
• 6:21 Quinnipiac Law's Day One Mentoring program 
• 7:21 Student organizations at Quinnipiac Law 
• 9:09 What classes are like at Quinnipiac Law 
• 10:58 Shianne's internship experience at Quinnipiac Law 
• 13:04 How Shianne's experiences in law school have helped prepare her for her career 
• 14:07 Advice to students considering law school

Transcript

Joel Vanner: Hello, and welcome to ”Who Are You?,” the Bobcats you know the stories you don't. I'm your host Joel Vanner inside the podcast studio at Quinnipiac University's School of Communications, and I'm joined today by my guest, Shianne Taylor. Shianne, welcome to the show. 
  
Shianne Taylor: Thank you. Thank you. Happy to be here. 
  
Joel Vanner: I'm happy you're here. Shianne, I ask my guest the same first question every time. And that question is, tell me, who are you? 
  
Shianne Taylor: Who am I? 
  
Joel Vanner: It's a deep question. 
  
Shianne Taylor: Well, my name is Shianne Taylor, and I'm a 3L at Quinnipiac University's School of Law. I'm from Oklahoma, and I'm here just on my career path to becoming an attorney. 
  
Joel Vanner: Well, awesome. Let's unpack your path. Before we talk about career in Quinnipiac school of law, did you always think you were going to be a lawyer growing up? Growing up what were you like? Tell me. Where are we? 
  
Shianne Taylor: All right. Where are we? So, no, the short answer is no. I did not always think I was going to be a lawyer. I was born in Kansas and from a young age, like, my parents always wanted us to try new things. But we lived in a small town, and there was not much going on there. And so, you know, whether it was, you know, going to see sports with my siblings, the things we did as a family was go to the movies. And so a lot of the times when we went to the movies, like, my dad would kind of, like, talk to us during the movie to kind of help us, like, analyze it and see where it was going next. And so from there, I started picking up the skill of learning to analyze movies and kind of predict where they were going to go. 
  
Joel Vanner: What was your favorite movie you saw with your dad? 
  
Shianne Taylor: My favorite movie I saw with my dad. Wow, we've seen so many. I would have to say Planet of the Apes. The one with Mark Wahlberg in it. I was really young when that came out, 
  
Joel Vanner: Okay, Mark Wahlberg, New England represents. 
  
Shianne Taylor: There we go.  
 
Joel Vanner: Anyway, so going back, you learned to analyze movies and kind of predict where they were going. Did that lead to a career interest for you? 
  
Shianne Taylor: Yes. So from there, I kind of had this idea ever since I was little that I was going to be a critic, a critic of what? I didn't really know, but a movie critic seemed like it flowed. And so from there, I kind of always had this passion of, like, media and things like that. So I went to School for Communications with an emphasis in public relations. And so in there, I got a lot of training with working in media and, like, how to write speeches and things like that. And that really kind of sparked my passion for, you know, creating content and working in media. 
  
Joel Vanner: And you also were an athlete on the track team when you were in college, as well. Where did law school and the law field come into play for you? At what moment were you like, mm, I have this communications experience, but actually law school is maybe where I want to go. 
  
Shianne Taylor: Yes. So I was getting ready to graduate college a semester early. And so I started thinking in my junior year, like, you know, what's next? I didn't know if I wanted to go to grad school and continue running track because I was leaving. And so, me and my dad started having these kinds of conversations, kind of just, you know, seeing what I wanted to do, whether I needed an internship that summer to, like, spark me into a job after graduation. and so the plan really was to go back to school, but it was a question of what I was going to do. And he kind of mentioned, how about law school? And so from there, I kind of started looking into it more about kind of like what you do in law school, you know, honestly, what an attorney is. 
  
Joel Vanner: Sure. It's not what you see on TV. Like, what's the real? 
  
Shianne Taylor: Yes. And so I also had a minor in political science. And so it was kind of like I knew that a career in policy was also a path. And so, from there, one of my friends on my track team he also was going to go to law school at the time. And so he helped me just kind of, like, guide me in what I needed to do next as in, like, taking the LSAT and, like, when I should take the LSAT and things like that. 
  
Joel Vanner: So he kind of introduced you to the idea of actually going through the motions to get into law school with the LSAT. Where did Quinnipiac Law come in? How did that pop up on your radar? Because right now we're in Oklahoma, right? 
  
Shianne Taylor: Yes. 
 
Joel Vanner: Where did Quinnipiac Law come into play for you? 
  
Shianne Taylor: Quinnipiac came into play because I knew that I always wanted to be on the East Coast. And so I just once started looking at schools on the East Coast. Yes, there are a lot of schools on the East Coast, but Connecticut was one of those places in my head that I've always wanted to go to, like, don't really know why, but it popped in my head one day, and it kind of stuck. So my freshman year of college, we have, like, you know, your introduction to life class, and they made you, like, sit down and see, like, you know, where do you want to be? Who's your spouse? Where do you live? Like, all of the different things. And so, at the time, I wanted to work in media and sports. And so, ESPN was in Connecticut. I wanted to come here. And from there, it just stuck, like I said, and so now I'm here in Connecticut. 
  
Joel Vanner: So you had Connecticut in your mind then, looking for law school. You know you want to come to the East Coast, so you turn at Connecticut and you found Quinnipiac. What was it like that transition from Oklahoma communications, the experiences you had there, internships, et cetera, to now coming to law school? What was that transition like? 
  
Shianne Taylor: That transition was definitely interesting. It was not only, like, academically different, but socially for me. I like to think Connecticut is very similar to Oklahoma. I think the biggest difference is the people. 
  
Joel Vanner: Do you think we're a little rude in Connecticut, maybe? 
  
Shianne Taylor: I wouldn't say rude, just not overly polite, which is what you're gonna get a lot of the time when you're in Oklahoma. And so it was just very different in that regard. But, you know, coming to Quinnipiac is really where I found my community. And, you know, automatically, I feel like when you go into a school, those are like, your people, you know? And especially for law school, you're in the same classes with, you know, the same 50 people all day long. 
  
Joel Vanner: Sure. 
  
Shianne Taylor: And you really have no choice but to, you know, make friends and blend in. 
  
Joel Vanner: Was there a mentorship program or some other way you got engaged when you first got here? Like, how did you just get to know the community that you'd be joining? 
  
Shianne Taylor: Yes, so Quinnipiac Law School has a day one mentoring program, and they partner you with an upperclassman, so whether that's a 2L, 3L, 4L, before you come in. And so I had a mentor who was from Nebraska, so she also dealt with the big transition into law school and different social, environment. 
  
Joel Vanner: And housing, too, right? 
  
Shianne Taylor: And housing. 
  
Joel Vanner: You establish yourself outside of your academics as well?  
 
Shianne Taylor: Yes, exactly. And so I was, you know, pinging questions to her, and she was always very helpful and, again, helping me find housing and things like that, because I definitely did not have housing when school started, which was crazy thing. But I mean, it all worked out. 
  
Joel Vanner: Nerve racking you came up here with your dad, so I'm sure the two of you obviously figured out, and it was a growing experience there. Are there any student organizations now that you're in your third year that you've been able to take part in in the school of law, and how have those kind of connected back to the things that you're learning in the classroom? 
  
Shianne Taylor: Great questions. Yes, so I am a part of FLSA, the Black Law Students Association, and they were, you know, a really big part of helping me find resources at the school when I first got there, and, you know, they became my community. I'm also the president of the Student Bar Association. So that's been really great just, you know, checking out different leadership styles and being a part and being able to lead, like, our body of students pretty much and, you know, talking to them and talking with administration. But to answer your question, like, how does that connect back to the classroom? I think it connects back to the classroom in just being able to basically take what we are learning from these organizations and really just being I guess, being familiar with people, I think that's one lesson that I've learned. The more and more you become familiar with people, the more you become comfortable in the classroom. And I think that's a really big thing, especially when you're being cold called on and, you know, you're learning a vastly different subject than you've probably ever have before. I would say one of the other clubs that I'm a part of is the Sports and Entertainment Law Society, and I have an interest in that. And so I think that club is also helpful, you know, going into the classroom because I'm able to meet and network with people in those industries. 
  
Joel Vanner: Sounds awesome. It's definitely an interest of yours, and the ability to connect that to your academics sounds like a great opportunity. Speaking of academics and connecting to what you learn in your classes, what have your classes been like? Are they what you expected for law school? Is there any class in particular that you're really fond of or not fond of, but maybe we'll stick with the ones that you're really fond of? What's your experience been like? 
  
Shianne Taylor: Law school was a whole different ballgame. I think before coming to law school, talking with friends and family, friends who have been to law school. They were like, Oh, it's easy. Don't worry about it. People who say they don't have, like, you know, a work life balance school wise, like, don't listen to that, and then I get here, and I'm like, 
  
Joel Vanner: Easy where? 
  
Shianne Taylor: Easy where. I'm like, Who are you people? You guys are a different breed because this is wild. So the adjustment to the classroom was definitely different, just in terms of, like, you don't have a test per module that you have like you may have had in undergrad. And so you were really just testing your knowledge at the end of the school year. So it's really Testing how you navigate, which was going to be helpful when you go out into the real world, like, to make sure that I was learning, I had to schedule meetings with my professors and go in there periodically to make sure, like, Hey, I'm retaining this information. 
  
Joel Vanner: Was that an easy process to meet with your professor? I would imagine so because of the class sizes, right? The smaller class sizes give benefits that you can meet with your professor. 
  
Shianne Taylor: Definitely is easier because the class sizes are smaller. I would say that I probably did not take full advantage of it, like I should have my 1L year, but it is a very easy process. They all have office hours, so you know when they're going to be there. And most of the professors are great. They have, like, an open door policy. So you just pop in and you say, Hey, whether it's about the class or, you know, just, you know, you want to talk and catch up, like, they're all pretty great over there. 
  
Joel Vanner: As part of your law school experience, you've had some internships, right, in other placements. Where have you interned so far? 
  
Shianne Taylor: Yes. So I interned with the Connecticut House Democrats. So there, I also interned with Shapega Daily Pope and Perry, which is an Trust in Estates firm. And also, I interned with Professor Cassini, who has Cassini legal advisors, and he works in entertainment. 
  
Joel Vanner: And what have been some of the things that you've done in your internships that you've maybe have stuck with you and you've taken away as you look to form your career in law moving forward? 
  
Shianne Taylor: I think one thing really that has stuck with me is, again, like, it's going to ask your professors, it's asking your supervisors, like, Hey, where do I turn, especially, like, as an intern, sometimes law, like, in the classroom is a lot different than law in the real world and, like, how you're supposed to apply those things. And so many of times, it was like, Hey, they may look like they're super busy, but it's stopping your supervisor and saying, like, Hey, I need a little help, I need some direction. Like, Where do I turn to find this? And really just taking the like what we learned in school about, like, researching all of that and kind of just making sure I know not everything, but, like, having a basis for what I'm talking about before I go to the supervisor because, of course, they are super busy. 
  
Joel Vanner: Is there a specific faculty member you want to shout out that maybe helped you kind of get that confidence or perspective about going out into your internships? 
  
Shianne Taylor: I would say a faculty member who gave me the confidence really is Millie, Millie or Dean Vandenbrook. 
  
Joel Vanner: Sure in the career development office? 
  
Shianne Taylor: In the career development office. She's been really great, and, you know, I pop into her office from time to time and talk with her about, you know, what my internship experiences have been. And she's always good on helping me find, like, the best perspective out of it and taking lessons from them. So she's great. 
  
Joel Vanner: So all these experiences you've had in law school between the academics, your student involvement activities with the career development office and your internships, how have all of these come together to help you maybe narrow in on the field of law you want to study and just make you a well prepared professional? Is there have you narrowed it down yet to a specific field? 
  
Shianne Taylor: Yes, so narrowed it down, yes, but a specific field, no. So I still have an interest in intellectual property, which is what I came into law school thinking that I wanted to do. But, you know, as I was telling you about the different experiences that I've had in all of my externships, it kind of showed me what I didn't want to do and helped me pick out, like, the specific things, like, you know, the joyous parts of each of those internships and kind of, like, helped me to research more and more of, like, specifically what I want to do, whether that's be a transactional lawyer or be a litigation attorney. Yes, I want to be a litigation attorney. And like be in the courtroom and things like that, yes. 
  
Joel Vanner: What piece of advice would you give to someone who maybe isn't sure if law school is the path for them, but they just need a little bit of encouragement to get started. What would you say to them looking back on your journey so far? 
  
Shianne Taylor: Looking back on my journey, I would definitely say if you put your mind to it, you really can do it. Coming to law school for me and being so far away from home, it was a huge adjustment. I'm a very family oriented person. And so when you get to law school, it's really like you got to hunker down and do the work. I wouldn't say it's easy, like the people told me, but it's very doable, you know, if you go in and talk to your professors, you know, find some friends, get a friend group who's going to help you to study and keep you accountable. I would say, if you're unsure, Do it. 
  
Joel Vanner: Do it. 
  
Shianne Taylor: Reach out. Come to an open house. 
  
Joel Vanner: Reach out. Go to open house.  
 
Shianne Taylor: Yes, definitely. Like, it seems scary to maybe, like, cold email or send a message to someone on LinkedIn. But, those are the things that are going to help you find that you want to do this thing. And that's really what I did. And I was able to ask questions to people who were practicing attorneys and ask them like, Hey, when you went into law school, is this what you thought you were going to do? And are you happy with, like, what you were doing now? Like, what keeps you going, what keeps you motivated? 
  
Joel Vanner: And so, at the end of the day, send you a message on LinkedIn and connect. 
  
Shianne Taylor: Send me a message on LinkedIn. 
  
Joel Vanner: Well, thank you so much for joining me on the show today, sharing your experience in law school and good luck with the rest of your studies. 
  
Shianne Taylor: Thank you so much, Joel. 
  
Joel Vanner: If you enjoy today's episode, be sure to subscribe and share and find other episodes on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. Until next time when I ask my next guest, Who Are You?  I'm Joel Vanner. Bye for now.