“It was really hard for my mom to leave her home and family,” she said. “Why would my parents sacrifice so much for me, to not find a fulfilling and stable career?”
For Lana, who grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, choosing the University of Cincinnati College of Law wasn’t easy; it meant moving farther away from her two younger brothers and parents than preferred. While drawn to the campus’ diversity and nearby healthcare job opportunities, what may have sealed the deal was the local food scene she and her dad discovered during their city tour.
“I’m a foodie, and Cincinnati was exactly what I was looking for,” she noted, mentioning her love for orange lattes and mom-and-pop coffee shops. “Having personal enjoyment while in law school is very important to me.”
Now in her second year of law school, Lana said one of her biggest challenges in preparing for a legal career is her long-standing struggle with public speaking. Growing up in a multilingual household, she was told her English was too fast from an early age and was known for being a speedy talker.
As the oldest child, her parents taught her to be self-reliant. As an adult, she said she rarely asks for help. But knowing public speaking would be crucial to her career as an attorney, she sought support. Her mentor, a patent attorney from Procter and Gamble, connected her to Toastmasters.
