Purdue Logo Left
Brian Lamb Logo Right

Communication in a Legal Setting

May 19, 2020 | Alum Spotlight

After graduating from Purdue in 2013 with a degree in Corporate Communication, Scott Oliver continued his education at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. In his interview, Oliver shared how his communication degree has impacted his career as an attorney.

How has a Lamb School degree been beneficial to your career as a lawyer? 

My degree from the Lamb School serves as evidence of the practical courses I took at Purdue University that pushed me to develop critical skills for law school and my career. As a Lamb School graduate, I appreciate the importance of the many course offerings that focused on research, writing, public speaking, and communication in general. As an attorney, I use these skills throughout my practice to better serve my clients from both a legal and personal perspective. In practice, it is imperative that you think critically and identify issues. Perhaps more importantly, you must effectively communicate those issues and execute solutions for your clients. I firmly believe that a Lamb School degree is one of the best degrees for any student who is considering a career in law. 

What is your favorite Purdue memory? 

It is difficult to identify a single favorite memory. I would have to say that one of my favorite memories was also one of my last moments as a Purdue student when I was given the opportunity to serve as one of the graduation commencement speakers. As I stood in front of the crowd in Elliott Hall to deliver my speech, I remember thinking how thankful I was to be on that stage in front of thousands of graduating students who would go on to do great things with their degrees. 

What advice do you have for current Lamb School students? 

Take advantage of every opportunity you have to move the needle forward during your time at Purdue. You are surrounded by some of the best and brightest people you will ever meet – learn from them, develop your skills, and continue to build on those relationships even after graduation. As a Boilermaker and Lamb School graduate, you will graduate with a phenomenal network of friends and professionals who are eager to help you succeed. 

What other opportunities did you have during your time at Purdue? Clubs, internships, etc. 

I was involved in a variety of extracurricular activities during my time at Purdue, including: University Residences (Resident Assistant at McCutcheon Hall), President of the Purdue Pre-Law Society, Purdue Institute for Civic Communication (formerly Project Impact), C-SPAN Maymester in Washington D.C., Boiler Gold Rush (Team Leader and Supervisor), Community Standards Board, Rhetoric Society of America, Liberal Arts Student Board, Phi Sigma Pi Honors Fraternity, Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honors Fraternity, College Mentors for Kids, Boiler Blast, and others. 

What has been the most rewarding moment of your career? 

In 2018, I was accepted to serve as an Adjunct Professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Through this position, I use my practical experiences as a practicing attorney to teach current law school students. It is likely relevant and only fitting that the course I teach is “Legal Communication and Analysis,” which is a class covering legal research, writing, and oral advocacy. 

Is there anything else you would like to add? 

There are a lot of majors out there that are specifically targeted at certain professions. While there are undoubtedly professions that communication majors are more likely to pursue, the practical skills learned from the Lamb School will push you towards success in a variety of careers, including law. While Purdue University is known as a powerhouse in STEM disciplines, it is also highly regarding as one of the leading institutions for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts. A Lamb School degree is highly recognized throughout the world and a valuable asset to launch students into a lifelong career.

You may also like:

A Chief HR Officer’s Guide to Success at Work

Patrick McLaughlin is the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief HR Officer for Frito-Lay North America. He earned both his bachelors and masters degrees in organizational communication from the Lamb School. He shares some of his favorite memories and best...

read more

From Academia to Industry

Maddie Holmes completed her undergraduate degree at Purdue in 2017 and continued on with the Lamb School for her Master’s degree. During her time at Purdue, she was conflicted about pursuing a career in industry or in academia. Ultimately, upon graduation, and with...

read more

Find Your Passion and Let It Lead You

Early in her life, Lisa Hanasono knew she wanted to teach. After starting college and discovering academia, she followed that path to her current position as an Associate Professor in the School of Media & Communication at Bowling Green State University. She...

read more