Susan Connors Returns to Inspire Undergraduate Students

On Friday, March 15th, Seton Hall Alumna and Partner at Nagel Rice, LLP, Susan Connors ‘85/J.D.’88 returned to her alma mater to share helpful career and life advice to current students. The “Dean’s Career and Networking Speaker Series” in the College and Arts and Sciences offers students a “seat at the table” with lawyers, doctors, business executives and other professionals to hear career and life advice, network and share a meal. During the session, Connors offered advice that was not only applicable to prospective law school students and lawyers but also to those preparing for early success in any profession. The majority of students in attendance at this particular talk were humanities majors, and programs like these—part of a wide array of Applied Humanities initiatives at Seton Hall—allow students to pursue their intellectual passions and concurrently prepare for career success.

Connors urged students to pursue a career that they are “passionate about but also motivates” them. Connors began her undergraduate studies with the intention to become a school teacher, but she later realized that teaching was not what she was passionate about. Learning what interests you is one of the most important things you should learn in college. During her junior year as an education major, Connors decided to follow her passion and switch her major to political science. This decision later led to Connors attending Seton Hall Law School, in pursuit of her J.D. although she was frightened to alter her career path, her desire to follow her passions gave her courage. All majors in the College of Arts and Sciences prepare students for career success, so the key is to major in the areas that spark your curiosity and motivate you to learn.

As a lawyer, Connors stressed the importance of being an ethical and reliable professional, and she credited her undergraduate studies in political science, which involved writing, research, data analysis, critical thinking and philosophical theory, as having provided a sound foundation. Even though she has found success in her career, Connors explained that accolades only have meaning when the work is done ethically. Seton Hall Law School, she explained, developed these fundamental elements of a liberal arts education from the social sciences and humanities into professional skills. Through her law school education, she learned the values of operating by a professional honor system and code of ethics.

Beyond the fundamental liberal arts skills, which the College teaches across its curricula, Connors stressed the importance of finding your confidence and being assertive. In her closing remarks, Connors urged students to “start getting out of their comfort zone. The more uncomfortable situations they find themselves in, the quicker they will learn to overcome them and the greater their success will be.” Lastly, Connors emphasized the importance of getting involved in the Seton Hall community through programs such as Seton Hall’s Mock Trial organization and internships. Connors still runs into members of her Law School section in court, and she remains grateful for the community and opportunities that Seton Hall has given her. College of Arts and Sciences students can start by attending a few sessions of the “Dean’s Career and Networking Speaker Series.”

Categories: Alumni, Law