Her Story
About Alyssa
Alyssa Randall is a rising senior at Michigan State University through James Madison College, where she is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Comparative Cultures and Politics with a Spanish minor. She studied abroad in Valencia, Spain, and holds a Seal of Biliteracy along with Spanish Proficiency. Currently working as a hostess at Cooper's Hawk in the food service industry, Alyssa gained her first legal experience this summer as a legal assistant at a law firm, where she shadowed attorneys on cases and helped draft briefings and legal documents. Her main areas of expertise include communication, customer service, and writing. She is a member of the professional sorority Delta Phi Epsilon, which specializes in Professional Foreign Service, as well as the Empowering Women in Law Club and Pad the Mitten. Alyssa volunteers with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, assisting with research for legal asylum cases, and supports the Refugee Development Center in Lansing, Michigan. She attributes her success to the women in her life who helped her overcome imposter syndrome and to her own stubbornness in pursuing her goals despite obstacles. Her core values are accountability, integrity, and punctuality. Alyssa advises young women entering the legal field to think with the confidence of a young white man and to be aware of potential misogyny, while also emphasizing the importance of always negotiating and not settling for toxic environments or inadequate compensation.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alyssa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to all of the women in my life who have helped me along the way when I had imposter syndrome and thought I didn't belong. Also my stubbornness - even when told no or that someone who looked like me shouldn't be a lawyer, I was too stubborn to give up.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Always negotiate and don't settle. Advocate for yourself because people will lowball you. If it feels like a toxic environment or you're not being paid enough, leave and don't settle for that.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Think with the confidence of a young man - you can do anything you set your brain to. As young women in the legal field, you might face more misogyny from women than men, so keep that on your radar.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges: The law school admissions process is very costly and hard without lawyers in your family to guide you - I come from a medical family and have to feel my way through. Opportunities: The law is always changing, with fascinating areas like space law, fashion law, immigration law, and human rights law where you can pursue your values through a legal degree.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Accountability, integrity, and punctuality are my main three values.
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