Nov. 16, 2016 – As a 1L in the State Bar of Wisconsin’s 2016 Diversity Clerkship Program last summer, I learned more than I expected. I entered the program expecting to learn about legal work – and I did. The legal work was challenging and satisfying. I grew as a law student and future lawyer, and worked with many amazing individuals.
But there was also a part of the program I did not expect: It challenged my own assumptions about those around me.
Being Diverse
Diversity means many different things to different people. Each individual has their own biases and assumptions.
Being gay is not the same as other types of diversity. It is not always readily perceivable. What this means, is that, in every interaction – whether personal or professional – there comes a moment where I must choose whether to disclose or not disclose. The expectation of that potential moment is a growing weight: How would they react once I told them? Would that knowledge change their opinions of me? Would I lose friends?
In most professional situations, I often choose not to disclose, because such disclosure is not always met with a warm reception.
Growing as a Law Student
What did the program give me? Experiences in a range of substantive legal work in several different areas of the law, opportunities to give back to the community, and learning the different paths of my summer coworkers – a diverse group themselves.
I thought this was an opportunity for my coworkers to learn about me. I never thought I would learn about them.
Over the summer, I was challenged and pushed to grow as a law student. Each opportunity pushed me to apply the knowledge and skills I learned during my first year of law school in order to complete the various projects I was tasked with.
From the standpoint of working in law, my summer clerkship experience truly changed my life for the better. The substantive legal work I accomplished reinforced the idea that, “Yes, this is exactly what I want to be doing for my life.” Every assignment challenged me, bringing with it either a different twist or an area of the law new to me. This dynamic pushed me to strive to be better every day. This drive and the technical skills learned are invaluable as I go into my second year.
These tangible, quantifiable benefits, invaluable as they are, pale in comparison to the intangible benefits I received.
The Intangible Benefit
What I didn’t realize was that, after I received the name of my employer – Thrivent Financial for Lutherans – I had to confront my own assumptions and biases.
As a member of the gay community, I am all too familiar with the division between gay rights and religion. This division perforates the very fabric of my life and those of other gay individuals who are also religious: we consistently hear how many religions are against being gay.
Jacob Crouse is a 2L at Marquette University Law School. Prior to attending college, he was deployed twice to Afghanistan while serving in the United States Marine Corps infantry.
So, yes, I felt a small stab of fear after realizing I would be working at an organization with a mission to serve customers who share a common religious identity. I thought I’d have to go back into hiding, as I did during the years of “don’t ask, don’t tell” when I served in the military.
At the beginning, there was one ray of hope: That, because we were participating in the Diversity Clerkship Program, my future manager already knew my story.
All who apply for the program must write a 500-word essay about how you are diverse. This is given to all prospective employers. I began the summer knowing that my employer already knew that I am a gay man. That was pivotal: I began my clerkship knowing that I would not have that awkward conversation at some point. That I would not constantly wonder when it would come, and how it would change my manager’s view of me.
But that was not necessarily true of my summer coworkers.
Going into the program, I had two options to deal with this situation: Work very hard to make sure I don’t let anything slip that would tell my coworkers I am gay. Or, I could go to work, be myself, and hope it would not cause any issues.
Employers Needed for Diversity Clerkship Program – Sign Up By Jan. 11
The State Bar’s Diversity Clerkship Program is a limited-term, summer employment opportunity for first-year Marquette University Law School and University of Wisconsin Law School students with diverse backgrounds.
Students are matched with private law firms, corporate legal departments, and governmental agencies. Employers provide students with the opportunity to build legal practice skills and knowledge. Student clerks gain practical legal experience, and participating employers obtain valuable legal support.
Employers participating in the program have a chance to interview the students at locations in Milwaukee and Madison once the students are accepted to the program.
Employers can enroll through Jan. 11, 2016. Learn more about the program by clicking here, or by contacting Jerry Vang at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6181.
I chose option one at first. I found myself editing my responses during conversations to avoid speaking of my partner or activities that would “out” me to my coworkers.
But soon, something happened that took me by surprise. I discovered other LGBTQ individuals who worked for my company. Finding strength in speaking with them, I began to open up more. To my surprise, I learned that the assumptions I had were wrong. Everyone I interacted with treated me no differently; I did not feel as though I was being excluded at all.
Another thing happened: For the first time, I began to feel comfortable in a work environment. I no longer felt as though I was an outsider in “enemy territory.”
What this has done for me, I cannot measure in any quantitative meaningful way. I can honestly say I have grown so much over the summer not only as a legal professional but also as a member of the LGBTQ community. The program brings together different groups of individuals over a common ground, and creates a more inclusive and open environment.
I was shown their compassion and open-mindedness. I left the program, not only with a different assumptions, but also as a better human being.
I honestly and fervently say: This was by far one of the most important opportunities I have had the privilege of participating in.
The reason is simply this. I began work in the program with one opinion in my mind – I had wrongly assumed these individuals would be closed-minded and hateful if they fully knew about me. Instead, I was shown their compassion and open-mindedness. I left the program not only with different assumptions, but also as a better human being.
All along I thought this was an opportunity for my coworkers to learn about me; I never thought I would learn about them.
And that is exactly what this program is designed to do.
The State Bar of Wisconsin Thanks Thrivent Financial for Participating in the 2016 Diversity Clerkship Program
Thrivent Financial is a fraternal benefit society, a financial services organization that helps Christians be wise with money and live generously. As a membership organization, it offers its more than 2.3 million member-owners a broad range of products, services, and guidance from financial representatives nationwide.