Answering the call: On the path from classroom to courtroom

For 21-year-old Areda Johnson, a Southeast Missouri State University student, the challenges leading up to becoming a lawyer is part of the fun. On Friday, Johnson completed a six-week internship with the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney's office -- an experience she said has made her almost positive she wants to be a prosecutor. And although she still has courses to complete at Southeast, the O'Fallon, Ill., native recently took her Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and is waiting for her results. Johnson has ambitions to attend Northwestern University and says she gets her drive and ambition from her parents, who have also taught her to "reach for the stars."

Q: What made you choose Southeast and what are you studying?

A: Actually, I was going to go to Howard University in Washington D.C., but I guess for financial reasons and how much school costs my parents asked me if I would want to go somewhere else or look at other schools. I knew a lot of people from my high school went to SEMO, so I decided it would be a good place to go. I am a criminal justice and law enforcement major with a minor in creative writing. I've always loved to write, it's been my second passion and then I figure, with me wanting to be an attorney, writing is something you'll always have to do so why not critique it and make it better? It'll help me in the long run.

Q: What about being a lawyer interests you?

A: For as long as I can remember I've always wanted to be a lawyer, an attorney or something to do with law enforcement, and I think it's just me wanting to serve the community and help others -- maybe having a voice for those who don't have one anymore. It's standing up for them I feel like, and wanting to make a difference.

Q: What kind of attorney would you like to be?

A: After this internship, I am about 98 percent positive that I want to be a prosecuting attorney. I was kind of on the fence, which is why I'm happy that I did this internship so I could really decide what type of attorney I want to be.

Q: What about this internship has made you so sure? Tell me why you've enjoyed the experience.

A: I really want to do jury trials and I guess be a trial lawyer. Also, I guess just seeing all the victims, hearing their stories and also seeing the defendants, I would just rather be on the prosecuting side and helping those individuals. I feel like I really have a really strong sense of wanting to help those that can't really help themselves and trying to stand up for those who don't really have a voice anymore. The things I've probably enjoyed most would be -- there's so much that I've done -- is sitting in on the jury trials, helping with the jury selection. I've got to know how the office works; it's a lot different than you see on TV. I've enjoyed getting to know the prosecutors and the way they do their job, I have a lot of respect for them because it's a hard job and not everyone could do it.

Q: What's been the hardest part of your internship?

A: Hearing some of the cases; they're pretty difficult. They pull at your heartstrings. It's not easy to always prosecute someone, but I guess I just sometimes have to take a step back and look at it from an unbiased point of view and really look at the facts and then try to make an educated decision. So I would say that's been the hardest. Also, with the victims, their stories are hard to hear, but then again that drives you that much more.

Q: What was it like preparing for the LSAT?

A: It's probably the most stressed I've been. Every night having to study and I just want to do really well. It was a lot of pressure. This test is going to determine if I go to school or get into law school. I'm just wanting to make my parents proud, make myself proud, make everyone around me proud. Now, I'm in the waiting period to see my score.

I try not to think about it too much and stress myself. out.

Q: Have you thought about where you'd like to go to law school?

A: Right now, my number one choice is Northwestern [University], up near Chicago Illinois. I'm an Illinois girl. Their program's just really diverse, they have a very high success rate and that's just always been a dream of mine to go there. There are other law schools I've been looking at in Illinois, as well as Mizzou, Morley [Swingle] would love for me to go there I'm sure.

Q: What kind of role has your family played in your career choice?

A: My parents are strong-willed, determined, and hard-working individuals. My dad was a professional boxer for many years, he went to the Olympics and did all that. I really feel like I got my drive and my determination from him. And also, because, he wasn't the richest kid growing up; he had a lot of problems, dealt with poverty and all that. So, I look at him and think ... he wasn't given a silver spoon in his mouth, he wasn't given everything and he fought against a lot of obstacles, but yet, he still made it. That drives me that much more to succeed and try to do well. They've always told me "whatever you want to do you can do." They tell me to reach for the stars, so that's what I've always done.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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