If you had told Alexa Turner two years ago that she would not only be competing at a mock trial national tournament championship but also interning in Washington, D.C., she would have laughed it off. Yet, that’s exactly what she’s doing.
Turner, a junior paralegal and history major at Eastern Kentucky University, was recently accepted to the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. The nationally renowned program provides opportunities for accomplished college students to intern in the fast-paced business and legal world of Washington, D.C.
She will intern with the Federal Trade Commission in the Division of Financial Practices performing investigative, mediation, and litigative work concerning fraud claims.
The Winchester native, one of four Washington Center interns from EKU, is especially excited for the opportunity as a paralegal science major. “Interning in D.C. is a dream come true for any pre-law student,” she said.
With plans to take the LSAT in June and begin applying to law schools, Turner believes the internship will prove valuable to her future. “Interning with the FTC will enhance my applications for law school, my legal knowledge, and with future internship site and job connections,” she explained.
After law school, Turner hopes to become a trial attorney and eventually a judge.
She has already left quite the legacy at EKU. In fact, as part of the mock trial team, she spent April 21-23 competing at the American Mock Trial Association national tournament in Los Angeles.
She also is a member of Alpha Delta Pi and Order of Omega and currently sits on the Panhellenic Judicial Hearing Committee. Turner thrives academically as a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and EKU Honors, where she completed her thesis last December.
Turner reflects on her accomplishments with a sense of gratitude for all those who have helped and inspired her. She credited Dr. Chris Taylor, her Honors thesis mentor, for teaching her how to take a single idea and expand into a major research project.
She also spoke highly of her adviser and mock trial coach, Dr. Lynnette Noblitt. “She is quite literally Wonder Woman,” Turner said, “and has taught me that a woman’s place is at a counsel’s table.”
Turner also explained that her supportive family has played a big role in her academic success. Not only is she thankful for parents who always believed in the validity of her dreams, but also for her brother, who will enter medical school in the fall and always challenges Turner to be her best self.
Turner looks back on her time at Eastern with fondness. “Eastern has taught me how to learn, how to question and research and develop my own opinions. My comfort zone has expanded.
“I’ve learned how to fail and how to succeed.”
— by Yasmin White, Student Writer, EKU Communications & Brand Management