Earn-Learn Apprentice Is Law School Bound

Amy Kramer graduated in May 2006 with a degree in chemical engineering and a passionate interest in government and law. This interest, combined with her aptitude in math and science, led her to the University of Colorado’s School of Law with aspirations to be an intellectual property attorney.

During her last three semesters in the College of Engineering and Applied Science, Amy’s top priority was academic success so she could gain admission into law school. At the same time she needed to augment her income with a job that would fit into her busy schedule. She found just the right job to meet both of these needs through her participation in the Earn-Learn Apprenticeship Program. Amy noted, “Working on campus was very convenient because I did not have to commute. Instead, I was able to work between classes and rearrange my schedule to accommodate exam weeks so that my job was never detrimental to my education.”

Amy secured an Earn-Learn Apprenticeship in the Dean's Office, where she analyzed data from surveys administered to the college’s senior class and alumni. Her responsibilities included modifying the format and content of the survey in an effort to improve the quality of information collected. “My excitement for this apprenticeship stems from knowledge that the college actually uses the information that I compile for continuous improvement. I know that after I graduate, the survey will still play an important role in the college’s self-assessment,” she says.

Before this job Amy had little work experience. She now feels comfortable working in an office environment, responding to colleague feedback, and collaborating with others on projects. She also has acquired more knowledge of Visual Basic Application code in Excel. One aspect that distinguishes the Earn-Learn program from other jobs on campus is that a portion of the funding for the position comes from either an external donor—frequently an alumnus/alumna—or the dean. Students who participate in the program are required to write a thank you letter to their donor or the dean mid-semester.

In Amy’s case, the donor was Nan Joesten, an alumna who had followed a similar career path as the one Amy plans to pursue. After earning her chemical engineering degree in 1982, Joesten worked in the industry for a few years before deciding to attend law school. After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law in 1997 with a focus on intellectual property law, and passing the bar exam in California, Joesten worked her way up to partner in the prestigious firm of Farella, Braun, and Martel in San Francisco.

Through her membership in the college’s Engineering Advisory Council, Joesten was introduced to the Earn-Learn program and decided to fund an apprentice. She was pleased to learn that her donation would be funding Amy, a student with similar interests of her own. "We talked about my experiences as a chemical engineer practicing intellectual property law, and I answered her questions about the law school application process,” says Joesten.

Amy's participation in the Earn-Learn program provided her with income, job experience and new skills. It also connected her to a new friend and mentor. Joesten says, “I'm pleased that my sponsorship of her Earn-Learn Apprenticeship has given us even more incentive to keep in touch as time goes by, and I look forward to watching her development and encouraging her in future career choices.” Amy is inspired by her mentor’s enthusiasm about her own career; in turn it has augmented her excitement for law school. She says they will continue to stay in touch as Joesten’s industry experiences are both interesting and helpful to her.

Amy's outstanding scholastic achievements at CU led her to be inducted into both Tau Beta Pi and Omega Chi Epsilon, the engineering and chemical engineering honor societies. Excited about her future, Amy observed, "Society has a growing need for expertise in chemical and biomedical technology, and this specialized area of law will satisfy both my aptitude for math and science and my passion for government and law."