Empowering Futures: Eric Lin Shares His Career Expertise with Students

Eric started the conversation by noting how nervous he was at his first debate tournament, and how that shifted over time. He talked about the valuable skills he gained in Speech and Debate and how it prepared him for college at UC Berkeley. He shared about the parts of the job he loved most, including getting to learn from experts about new topics and fields. He emphasized the importance of knowing your goals and purpose before pursuing a law career.

After hearing about Eric’s professional path, students and teachers had an opportunity to ask questions:.

Q. For high school students considering a career in law, what steps would you recommend they take to prepare?

A. Eric noted that the best practice students can develop – besides joining a Speech and Debate team – is to read, read, and read some more! This is the main task for students in law school, and becoming proficient at reading and analyzing literature is crucial.

Q. How does working for a company like Genentech differ from working at a law firm?

A. Eric shared that he majored in STEM at UC Berkeley and that his understanding of biology has been crucial for his work at Genentech. He reflected that no one field in undergrad is ideal preparation for the law, and that, in fact, any field a student is passionate about can be integrated into a law career.

Q. How do you defend a company or person if you are not sure if they are innocent?

A. Eric commented that as a professional he is bound to defend his client to the best of his ability no matter his personal beliefs about any given issue. Debate is useful to prepare for this professional requirement because it teaches students to advocate for positions they don’t always agree with and those situations can arise.

Ultimately, Eric’s time with SVUDL students helped them to understand the significance of the skills they are learning and to see firsthand how they will have application outside of the Speech and Debate world. His words also encouraged them to see that a future career in law is within reach!

SVUDL extends heartfelt appreciation for Eric Lin in being so generous with his time and thoughtful engagement with students.