Meet Serah Judd

I am a Political Science major with a Mathematics minor from Portland, OR. I attended an international magnet school, which instilled in me a drive to pursue disciplines where I was consistently challenged and pushed to grow.
I grew up in a family of techies. My father worked in IT and software supply chain for a major sports apparel company, and my mother spent years in the financial sector before transitioning to logistics at a MAANG corporation. Watching them, I came to appreciate how technical fluency and analytical rigor make for exceptional lawyers, drawing me toward a career in law.
I absolutely adore Howard. I’ve had the privilege of serving in student government; first as a College Representative during my freshman year, then as Recording Secretary of the Student Senate as a sophomore. I also write for the Opinions section of The Hilltop. Beyond campus, I completed an internship in the United States Senate and will be embarking on my next opportunity this summer.
My goal is to spend a few years building experience in the financial sector before attending law school and becoming a corporate law associate. Above all, I am working toward a future I can be proud of, for myself and for my family.
What I Wish You Knew
I wish I had understood how clerkships and internships worked before arriving at college. That said, I don’t think I would change much about my path. I’m a naturally precocious person, so seeking out information through networking and independent research has always come naturally to me. In that sense, I think NExT came into my life at exactly the right moment. The professionals who can speak meaningfully to my specific goals aren’t always easy to reach, which is precisely why this experience has been so invaluable.
Why NExT Matters to Me Now
I hope to gain meaningful exposure to the legal field through networking with accomplished professionals and attending events that offer real, actionable insight. Programs like NExT are especially vital for students like me: aspiring first-generation lawyers who are driven to succeed but benefit enormously from the guidance of industry leaders who have walked this path before.