Where Are They Now: Kathleen Pritchard
The outdoors has always been a part of Kathleen Pritchard’s life. A 2010 graduate of Wake Forest University with a degree in political science and minors in biology and environmental science, Kathleen has carried out her passion for the environment by continuing her studies in environmental law and policy; she is now a third year law student at the University of Texas in Austin.
After graduation, Kathleen took two years off before continuing her education. Her hiatus began with a return to a former post at Wilderness Ventures, where she guided backpacking and climbing trips in the Pacific Northwest. She then spent time in Oxford, MS to study for the LSAT and to gain experience at a small family practice law firm. Once she completed this, she gathered her things and traveled to Argentina where she spent seven months teaching English. She refers to this stint as one of her most rewarding experiences since graduating from college, as she had to learn Spanish on the go and was living with a host family in a small town in the Santa Fe province. Telluride, CO was next on her list, where she enjoyed skiing and hiking every moment she could before it was time for her to begin law school in Austin.
Kathleen continues to live her passion at the University of Texas where she joined the Texas Environment Law Journal, participated in the Environmental Law Clinic, worked on a directed study with her environmental law professor, and most recently, interned at the Environmental Protection Agency in Denver, CO.
While at Wake Forest, Kathleen worked as a communications and outreach intern with the Office of Sustainability. She credits the internship for her decision to pursue professional work in sustainability. Her advice to students trying to figure out what they want to do after graduation: follow your passions. Kathleen began by testing the intersection of her passions and talents as an intern for the office.
After she graduates from law school, Kathleen will be clerking for Judge Sam Sparks, a federal district judge in Austin, Texas.
Contributed by Maegan Olmstead (’15)