Daemen College : Admissions : Meet our Students : Sarah - Political Science/Pre-Law
Sarah - Political Science/Pre-Law
Political Science/Pre-Law
Singing on Broadway or writing judgments from the Supreme Court bench – one thing is for sure, Sarah Rodman aims high. She’s starting with a political science degree at Daemen. After that, she’s setting her sights on law school, conquering the bar exam, and beginning to practice law. Sarah will pursue her dual passions – singing and advocating for justice – wherever they take her, be it the bright lights of a New York City stage, or to the sparkling offices of a big-city law firm.
What sparked your interest in studying political science?
I have always been a big advocate for justice and fairness, which is why I chose Pre-Law as my minor, and have always wanted to attend law school. Politics have also been a big part of my life. I always thought that if we are going to have a select few people make important decisions for every citizen in the United States, then we should have a voice in some of those decisions and in the people making those decisions.
Do you have any advice for prospective students entering the political science program?
Definitely make sure that this is the type of study you want to go into. Many people find history and government incredibly boring, and 55 minutes of history could be excruciating for someone that is not interested. Also, keep up to date on current events. Watch the news every night and sign up for emails from trusted news sites, such as the BBC, so your daily email check becomes a quick current events briefing.
Why did you choose to come to Daemen?
Location and scholarship were definitely key factors in my decision to attend Daemen. I have never left Main Street for my education (St. Benedict’s School for grade school and Sacred Heart Academy for high school) and when I was little I always said that one day I was going to go to Daemen. I had always heard such positive things about Daemen and the students who attended it. I liked the atmosphere and the fact that although it’s a quaint school, the opportunities it provides are hardly small.
What are your personal/professional goals? What would be your dream job?
Aside from law and politics, my other main interest is music. I have been a vocalist for over 11 years now, and I am trained to sing classical, opera, and Broadway repertoire. Within the music profession my dream job would be to become a professional vocalist or to be on Broadway. Within the political/law profession, my ultimate goal would be to become a judge, a Supreme Court Justice, or a politician.
What areas of political science are of particular interest to you?
Laws and governmental structures are of particular interest to me. I think it’s fascinating to learn about how the government works and runs and why the officials do what they do. Also, learning about other structures is just as important because it helps you to understand the pros and cons of each system in comparison to your own. Laws are interesting because there is one that can affect almost every aspect of a person’s life. There are a plethora of different types of rules that citizens must abide by, and many of them can vary by town, city, and state!
Would you recommend your program to others?
It depends. I love history and politics so I enjoy my classes. As a freshman, I’m still taking the mandatory classes so I really have not had a big enough feel for the major, but so far I love it. I cannot wait until I can focus more on the core classes for my major.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities on campus? What have you liked best about that activity?
I am the Vice President of the Pre-Law Association here at Daemen, which also meets in conjunction with the History and Government club. I like this club because I’m able to be with people that have the same interests and passions as me. Also, since the History/Government department is incredibly small, this club has also helped me make friends within my department, so when it comes to taking classes I actually know other people from my major.
Have you had an internship during your time at Daemen?
I have not had an internship yet at Daemen, but I have recently applied for one at the Office of the Attorney General here in Buffalo. I also plan on applying for the prestigious Washington, D.C. internship that Daemen offers. It is something that I’ve always wanted to do ever since I learned about it during my first visit here two years ago.
What will be your lasting memory of Daemen?
My lasting memory of Daemen will definitely be of the people and the professors that I’ve met here. I may take good classes and I may take some not so favorable classes, but it’s ultimately the professors and the other students in those classes that will leave the lasting impression. It’s always easier to learn material, boring or not, when the professors make it interesting and the other students offer different insights. Also, I plan on studying abroad and I know that you never forget the experiences had whilst in a foreign country.
Where do you see yourself in ten years? What do you hope to have accomplished?
I can see myself in the same place in ten years, but doing two different things. I will either be working as a lawyer in a law firm in the heart of New York City or working as a professional vocalist in New York City. Either way, it has always been a dream of mine to live in New York City because of how much I adore it. Ultimately, I hope to have successfully graduated from a good law school, passed my bar exam, and just starting to get a feel for practicing law. I know that I can have a steady occupation in the field of law, but I will never give up my fervor for singing.