Her Story
About Samantha
Samantha Johnson is a law student at American University Washington College of Law in Washington, DC, where she is about to begin her third year. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Buena Vista University in Iowa, graduating in fall 2023 and walking the stage in 2024. Johnson focuses her studies on international human rights law and humanitarian law, with additional attention to domestic criminal law, gender justice, and holding states accountable for violations of international law. She has pursued opportunities to travel to the Netherlands and Geneva and will study abroad for a semester at the University of Oslo in Norway. Johnson attributes her professional trajectory to extensive hard work and passion for international law, which she has pursued since high school. She values kindness, empathy, and understanding in both her personal and professional life, and aspires to work in international law or domestic criminal defense after graduation in 2027.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Samantha
01What do you attribute your success to?
Lots and lots and lots of hard work and passion. I didn't have the opportunity in Iowa but took it when I came to law school and ran with it, leading to trips to the Netherlands, Geneva, and studying in Oslo.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
From my mom right after I got accepted to American University: just go chase your dreams, do what you can, and don't let anything stop you. Just go, get out of Iowa, go wherever you need to chase your dreams.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Just go and do it. It's gonna be hard, just like most things are for women, but the goal is to do something that you love and are passionate about. If you truly love it, fight for it, and go for it. Don't let anybody stop you along the way because you can do amazing things.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Kindness, empathy, and understanding. In my field, it is important to empathize with others and understand where they are in life. It is necessary to be kind to everyone because you never know their background, and provide understanding. When working with victims, you want to be able to understand them, listen to them, and be there for them because, at the end of the day, we are all just human beings and deserve peace and justice.
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