Pictured: Chloe Newton, Caption: (L to R) Justin Fridley, Aaron Blackburn and Lauren Hill are members of MC’s mock trial team. They all want to pursue a law degree, and the mock trial is a stepping stone to becoming top notch lawyers.
As graduation approaches, many seniors prepare to enter the work fields they chose to study while at Mississippi College. They cling to what remains of those years of transition between childhood and adulthood. For the rest of the student body, the workforce is close at hand, and it’s wise to think about getting a taste of what the campus workforce will be like. An abundance of opportunities are available through the various career preparation clubs on campus.
Career preparation clubs exist for all majors. Students not only have the opportunity to learn about their future career, but also to gain practical experience and participate in service opportunities. These activities are attractive to employers; therefore, they should appeal to students.
For students interested in law, MC’s Mock Trial Club and Team provides experience in preparing a case for trial. The mock trial consists of a club and a team. Team members compete in the US National Mock Trial tournament. Club members are not required to participate in the tournament, but help in the planning and formation of the final product of the competition. Mock trial students focus all their energy on preparing for the competition.
At the start of the fall semester, mock trial teams across the country are given an imaginary case to read and dissect.
“From there we get the relevant affidavits, the interviews of each witness, the indictment of what we are suing and the evidence. Then, throughout the fall, we plan and strategize,” said said Justin Fridley, the current chair of the mock trial team.
Students of the pre-law variety are encouraged to join, but all students are welcome.
For students with hopes of impacting future generations in education, Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), the international honor society for education majors, benefits its members by providing experiences in local schools. Because it is an honor society, prospective members must complete an application. If accepted, new members must attend a formal induction ceremony during the fall semester. Members are expected to come to informational meetings and participate in service projects. For the MC Chapter, these service projects engage with the Clinton community and schools.
Morgan Marullo, a senior elementary education student and KDP officer, said, “I absolutely love being part of the KDP chapter of MC; it ignited and continued my enthusiasm and passion for teaching even more.
Those interested in joining KDP can attend the information meetings organized at the beginning of the fall semester.
MC’s education and pre-law programs are highly regarded on campus, but by far the most popular degree at MC is the pre-medical bio. The MEDLIFE Medical and Service Club offers students the opportunity to practice their skills in taking blood pressure, learning CPR and performing medical tests. The general body of MEDLIFE meets once a month but three to four events take place each week. These events include skills labs, conferences, volunteer opportunities and fun nights. In 2020, the MC chapter won the award for best local service.
MEDLIFE actively volunteers with the 4 Cs Garden, Jackson Free Health Clinic, and Mission First Medical and Dental Service; it aims to serve every Saturday. Although the club is medical, volunteer opportunities come in the form of whatever organizations need.
The MEDLIFE National Chapter also offers international service medical trips to Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua and Tanzania. Team members respond to medical needs through mobile clinics and respond to community needs. Community needs range from house building to gardening.
Mobile clinic services vary. Diana Florencio, graduate student from Boston, Mass., and 2021-2022 officer corps member, said, “When a patient comes in, they figure out what problem they have and if they need medication. Depending on the mobile clinic, each has different services.
MEDLIFE is committed to the greatest number of students by opening events to non-members of the club. The club includes undergraduate and graduate students and encourages all students to get involved. Students can email medlifemcchapter@gmail.com to get involved.
Mock Trial, Kappa Delta Pi, and MEDLIFE create meaningful opportunities for students to engage. Career Readiness Clubs not only broaden the college experience, but they also provide a chance to make connections in the fields they serve. Students benefit greatly from getting involved in career preparation clubs, and you never know how participation might affect their future.
