Kelley Shields
Assistant Director, Office of Career Strategy
Georgetown University Law Center
This month WALRAA is proud to shine a spotlight on Kelley Shields! Kelley is the Assistant Director for the Office of Career Strategy at Georgetown University Law Center. She become a member in 2022 and was recently elected to the 2024 WALRAA Board of Directors. Read below to discover her own words about the challenges that affects her most in her job, the best professional advice she has received, and more.
1. How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
I've been a member of WALRAA since 2022. My favorite experiences have been meeting the many wonderful people who are part of this community. I also think last year's Educational Conference was phenomenal and had truly great educational content.
2. How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
I think that the networking aspect of WALRAA is extremely beneficial. It's a huge asset for law schools and law firms to be able to share our experiences with each other.
3. How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
I'm an alum of Georgetown Law and first learned about recruiting and career services then. Several years ago, I made a huge career change and quit practicing law to instead become a certified coach. It was a natural fit to move into a role where I could coach and advise law students on reaching their career goals.
4. What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
Working with a first-generation college student who had struck out during OCI to overcome the anxieties and knowledge gaps that were holding them back and take the necessary actions to successfully land a Big Law job after recruiting season was over. I'm still incredibly proud of and happy for that student!
5. What is it that challenges you most in your job?
How early recruiting season is in students' law school experience. If I were in charge of the world, I would move recruiting season to January of 2L year so students could go into it with more legal experience, having done a full summer of legal work and taken half of their classes.
6. How do you balance your career and personal life?
Fortunately, working at a law school and the advent of the hybrid work schedule have made this much easier for me.
7. What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
My goals for the coming year are to be more involved with WALRAA and to build more relationships within this community. I was just elected to the WALRAA Board, which I think will help me meet both.
8. What is the best professional advice you have received?
Think of networking as making professional friends. It's about building relationships over time.
9. What do you like to do for fun?
Spending time with my friends or my 2 fluffy orange cats. Listening to audiobooks and podcasts. I love to take a fun international trip when I can and Slovenia is probably my favorite country I've visited to date. Hillwood Estate is my favorite place to visit in DC.
10. Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
I wrote my undergrad thesis on a Western Kentucky barbecue festival.
