Christine Parrish, L'09
Current Title and Employer: Policy and Compliance Specialist, Virginia Information Technologies Agency
Current Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
How would you describe your job? I regularly review and analyze the impact of proposed technology-related legislation. I am also responsible for drafting agency policy and legislative reports. I also regularly review and revise complex agreements. Lastly, I serve as a legal business partner to the Human Resources Department.
Explain how you got to your job in 100 words or less: Transferring between agencies within state employment is very common. Service at a previous agency often enables one to form relationships that will result in future advancement. I served as an Assistant Attorney General as my first position in state government. There, I met the person who is now my current supervisor. When I applied for this role, he recognized my name and was already familiar with my work product.
What makes you passionate about your work? I am passionate about my work because my work allows me to enjoy the passions in my life--my children and my personal relationships. My work demands are reasonable and allow me to have a personal life. There are times when the work ebbs and flows, but it is never to the extent where I feel that I have to sacrifice time with my loved ones.
How did your Richmond Law experience prepare you for you career? My law school experience taught me to communicate in a succinct manner. It enabled me to convey complex concepts in ways understandable to nonlawyers. My experience also taught me to research effectively and efficiently.
What are 3 pieces of advice you’d offer to current students interested in an alternative or emerging career path like yours?
- Have confidence to follow your own path as opposed to following the crowd;
- Learn to get comfortable with networking and do it early--reach out for informational interviews to learn about jobs from the people that actually do them;
- Be patient--if you want to work in government, you may have to take an alternative path but you can get there if you remain persistent.