Internship Spotlight: Khizra Qadir, Legal Aid Society

In the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, students are encouraged to discover their passions through their studies and to pursue those interests beyond the classroom. This summer, our students obtained internships across various fields and we’re proud to spotlight their experiences!

Khizra Qadir is currently interning as a paralegal for the Legal Aid Society where she provides research assistance for comprehensive criminal appellate practice and assists in investigations for post-conviction collateral reviews. She is an aspiring criminal lawyer and plans to attend law school post-graduation.

For Qadir, the separate environments of the University and the Legal Aid Society both prepare her in unique ways for her legal future.

“As a Justice Studies student, I have taken several courses, such as criminal law and procedure and legal research, that have provided me with a strong foundation to work as a paralegal,” she says.

But the reality of what it means to work in a law firm is something that can only be gained by doing so. After being put in contact with Professor Harold Ferguson, Qadir’s internship supervisor, Qadir has been able to gain “an understanding of the kind of assignments and tasks paralegals do on a day-to-day basis.”

“I have also been able to gauge my knowledge of criminal law and legal research and am looking forward to learning more about the law and strengthening my skills,” Qadir says.

More than anything, Qadir’s passion for legal defense has been put to the frontlines: “This internship gives me the opportunity to implement the knowledge and skills I have developed to ensure the rights of the vulnerable are protected.”

Read more student intern experiences!

Written by Sarah Ramirez