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By the Juris Education Interview Team
Vincent Ruggiero is the President of the Political Science Undergraduate Association at the University of Houston.
Speaking for our organization, we know that Political Science is a wide-ranging field of study with numerous avenues and opportunities. To account for this, we have divided our activities into five areas, typically focused on in other unions: Academic and Research, Professional Development, Civic Engagement, Events & Public Relations, and Logistics. This allows students to make informed change in their community while forming bonds with fellow peers who can both support and challenge them in their journeys.
Foremost, members become more informed about political and legal systems, current events, and how to comprehend and influence policy. These skills are essential across all walks of life, and students often find themselves more comfortable asking questions or taking risks when compared to the academic and social pressures of a classroom setting. Likewise, political unions give students access to mentorship and professional connections that are harder to come by when navigating the “PoliSci sphere” on one’s own — local leaders and organizations open pathways to a multitude of internships, careers, and passions. Lastly, unions emphasize “experiential learning” to ensure students are comfortable with the teamwork, critical thinking, and leadership skills necessary to facilitate successful outcomes in dividing or challenging circumstances.
The most challenging aspect, in my opinion, is deciding where to concentrate your efforts. With so many issues in the world, it’s impossible to clearly and knowledgeably understand them all, and therefore some must take priority over others. While the consequences of this are most obvious within the individual, a community of politically and legally minded individuals finds strength together. Therefore, a union’s most rewarding aspects are these bonds transpiring into real influences in law and society, which are much harder to come by without institutional connections and dialogue.
Political unions such as the PSUA have networking events that focus specifically on public speaking and its different methods. These include speeches, elevator pitches, cocktail hour, and much more. By honing in on experiences and skills as opposed to theoretical confidence, unions are able to replicate the environments students find themselves in outside the club and alleviate the discomfort that arises. The PSUA makes a specific effort to elevate all of its members’ voices in an authentic manner so students are not only comfortable but also proactive in speaking from their circumstances.
Absolutely, as unions prepare students not only for an admissions committee but their work beyond. Law practice is fundamentally rested upon institutional knowledge, connections, and advocacy, which unions certainly build. Yet it’s also important to recognize how political unions help students sharpen skills that are vital for law school and career success, such as the aforementioned public speaking, analytical thinking, persuasive writing, and strategic negotiation in dissent. Admissions committees for law schools generally value leadership, initiative, and civic engagement — active participation in a political union demonstrates all three.
While we are just getting started and do not have any “former members,” we have two officers working in legal positions — one as a full-time legal assistant for Abagado Ruiz Law Firm and another as a Sumer Intern for the Harris County Attorney’s Office.
Speak to a current member first, and raise your concerns with them. If they are still unaddressed, reach out to a union officer and draw from that conversation to discuss your potential fit. The PSUA has an “interest form” that students can fill out for this purpose, to express both their desires and concerns with joining the club. In summary, I believe that political unions are a great fit for law students looking to develop cross-disciplinary skills and connections that benefit them in their careers and beyond. There may be more concentrated unions for a law student to join (ex: UH’s Pre-Law Society) if they believe that to be a better fit. Whether seeking justice, financial security, or power in the vast world of law and politics — isolation can be ineffective and sometimes dangerous compared to a community of peers who share your mission. Find a union that fits yours, or better yet, create one!
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