Page 23 - Ed guide 2022 Feb

A MIND FOR

THE LAW

At first glance, a psych degree might seem
an unorthodox path to a legal career. But for
Jennifer Bolivar, it was just right.

Every day, Bolivar, a 2015 graduate of Penn State
Lehigh Valley’s Psychology program, calls upon
the skills she gained at the campus as an Associate
Attorney at Crosson Richetti & Daigle, LLC, a
full-service family law firm based in Allentown.

“My degree allows me to bring the experience of
a case manager, counselor, and state investigator
into my career,” said Bolivar, 27, of Whitehall.
“When clients tell me their story, I’m able to look
for and analyze patterns, reasons why my client,
the opposition, or third-party acted or reacted the
way they did, and consider alternative resolutions. At PSU-LV, Bolivar found a psychology program and
If there is a potential psychological or psychiatric faculty that prepared her well for the real world.
solution, I feel comfortable talking about it. Also, it Her studies included an internship with the Lehigh
allows me to understand programs that are provided County District Attorney’s Office.
or can be provided to children, adolescents, adults,
and older adults.” Completing her degree a year early, Bolivar initially
decided to postpone law school in order to work in
Bolivar’s dreams of becoming a lawyer go all the human services. After serving as a case manager/
way back to middle school, when she would often counselor and then an investigator, Bolivar enrolled
find herself sticking up for fellow students who were at Widener University Commonwealth Law School
wronged. “The notion that I could give someone a in Harrisburg. There, she completed internships
voice and tell their story was appealing to me. You with U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson of the
get to help people in some of their most vulnerable Middle District of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania
times,” she said. Office of Attorney General.

After taking a psychology class in high school, As she works toward her first trial, Bolivar is confident A Special Advertising Section of The Morning Call
Bolivar knew she wanted to major in it in college. she’ll be ready, and that her degree will be a benefit.
It seemed like a logical entryway to the law, which
“regulates human behavior — human behavior that “It’ll allow me to read the unspoken words of witnesses,
psychology helps you understand,” she said. the opposing side, and the jury or judge,” she said.

Psychology is just one of nine degrees you can complete |
entirely at the newly expanded Penn State Lehigh
Valley campus ranging from healthcare and business
to cybersecurity and supply chain management! Or
choose from 275 other programs that can be started Sunday, February 27, 2022
locally and completed at one of 19 other Penn State Lehighvalley.psu.edu
campuses across the Commonwealth!

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