Kimberly Nguyen
Year Graduated:
2020
Research and Development Coordinator
Submitted:
Oct 4, 2021
Job description
The Legal Lounge provides free services for students and HSU community members who need help finding an attorney or understanding their legal rights. This includes, but is not limited to, answering frequently asked questions, providing brochures/print-outs, and holding office hours to address student needs.
A program like the Lounge was an entity on campus 24 years ago and went on a hiatus when the faculty retired and students graduated. It was reestablished in 2017 as students began to see the rising need for legal assistance and the lack of education about our rights.
As the Research and Development Coordinator, I supervise all internships within the organization. The Student Legal Lounge works with departments to help students fulfill experience requirements for graduation. I also create and conduct trainings, write contracts, and help foster the growth in Lounge operations. The Student Legal Lounge believes most issues can be resolved with community resources, so I am also a big part of outreach and community building.
Why did you choose this program?
One of my first classes at HSU was Asian Philosophies with Mary Bockover. Just 20 minutes into the class I decided I would change my major from English to Philosophy.
When I started at HSU, I knew I'd eventually want to study the law. This, however, requires avid reading and critical thinking and I possessed neither skill. As someone who likes to be challenged, I knew I would be reading very dense and difficult materials.
How did this program prepare you for your job?
This program did not prepare me for any one particular job, but many.
I have had many jobs since I became of age. Waitress, retail, program director, program outreach coordinator, organizer, office manager, assisted living assistant, casino table games dealer, table games floor supervisor, and more. Studying in this program has made a huge difference in my ability to grasp complex concepts across all disciplines. I am 22 and have held six management/supervisory/leadership positions across different six companies/organizations. I'm not sure if I would have been able to accomplish this much this early in life had such useful life skills and timeless wisdom not been imparted to me by the department faculty and our greatest philosophers.
The skills one might list on their resume can be taught by this philosophy department. The program is robust and very personal; the faculty-to-student ratio in this program makes it possible. Some skills I developed during my time studying in the philosophy program, coupled with my general education courses and requirements, at HSU include:
- Verbal and written communication
- Problem-solving
- Clear and disciplined thinking and analysis
- Persuasive argumentation
- Planning and development
- Research and quantitative analysis
- Capacity for solving problems and thinking creatively
- Intellectual rigor and independence
I took almost every philosophy class in this program and enjoyed the classes and faculty alike. I am lucky to have gotten such an opportunity.
I have met many people who are very convinced that philosophy is not a practical discipline. They have never met my amazing colleagues and professors, they don't know what the discipline makes us capable of, and they don't know how far it has taken us in our lives. There is a reason why "Ph.D." stands for "Doctor of Philosophy".
What did you enjoy most about the program?
This program did not teach me what to think, rather it taught me how to think. There is no one answer to the most foundational questions that face us, but in order for us to develop as wholesome human beings, I believe that it is imperative that we find those answers that best fulfill our needs. My thirst for knowledge, thanks to this program, feels never-ending. Putting to use the perspective and critical thinking skills I've learned, I have succeeded in all of my endeavors, and I am constantly in a state of growth.
I enjoyed the constant struggle and reward. You have to work hard if you really want to understand philosophy—this is standard practice anywhere you go. However, this program is unique. I organized a few keynote speaker events during my time at HSU, including an alumni series, and many of the alum paid the same compliments as I will here:
1. You will not find many undergrad programs that teach a robust history of philosophy.
2. You will not find many undergrad programs that will include both Western and Eastern philosophies to the same extent.
3. Humboldt is the perfect place to be close to nature and to find who you really are. There's a reason it is called the Lost Coast.
Most of the alumni I met here have Ph.D.'s in Philosophy and are teaching at universities across the states. For myself, I am looking towards studying the law. My favorite thing about this program is that it can prepare any student for anything they want to do.
What would you say to prospective students who are thinking about applying to this program?
Philosophy is hard. It's academic. It's intimidating. AND it's worth it.
I was never interested in reading in my younger years, but this program roped me into it. This has changed me for the better. I whole-heartedly recommend our program to anyone who dares.
Other comments?
Thank you HSU Philosophy Department! I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to earn my Bachelors's Degree here.