First Gen Lawyer to Education Policy Manager featuring Tramelle Howard

Tramelle Howard, an external relations and policy manager, lawyer, and East Baton Rouge school board member, shares his journey from aspiring sports reporter to advocate for equity in education. He discusses his transition from law school to his current role and offers valuable insights on the importance of public-facing work. Listen and gain perspective about Tramelle's experiences and successes in creating his path to career success.

LISTEN TO LEARN

Why it is essential to create your career path
The power of diverse advocacy and representation
How a law degree can have value in non-traditional legal roles

WE ALSO DISCUSS

Finding a path that aligns with your passions
Education policies are practices that work towards equity in education
Influencing hiring practices in education

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First Gen Lawyer to Education Policy Manager featuring Tramelle Howard

About This Episode

Tramelle Howard’s Background

Tramelle Howard has a fascinating and inspiring story about defying expectations and creating your path to success. From dreaming of being a sports reporter for ESPN to becoming an advocate for equity in education, Tramelle's journey is anything but traditional.

“I'm a firm believer that you have to create your own path, because if you do not create your own path, then you lose out on a level of happiness that you and only you have to live with,” shares Tramelle Howard on You Are A Lawyer.

As an external relations and policy manager, lawyer, and East Baton Rouge school board member, Tramelle is making a difference for Black, Brown, and low-income students in Louisiana. His passion for education policy and his dedication to creating his path will motivate you to make a unique difference.

Why Law School

Tramelle Howard initially pursued a career in broadcast journalism with dreams of becoming a sports reporter for ESPN. However, his path took a turn when he became involved in education and realized the impact he could have on students' lives. After graduating from law school in 2015, Tramelle's experience as a student attorney in a family law clinic made him aware of the challenges students and their families face within the legal system.

“That totally changed once I got involved with education,” explains Tramelle Howard while discussing his career path on You Are a Lawyer.

This awareness led Tramelle to shift his focus towards education policy, with a desire to directly impact students' lives and help shape policies that promote equity for Black, Brown, and low-income students. Tramelle's passion for education and advocacy led him to his current role with the Education Trust, where he ensures that education policies and practices benefit marginalized students.

What Can You Do with a Law Degree

Tramelle’s journey after law school demonstrates the diverse career paths available to individuals with a law degree. While he initially aspired to practice family law, his experiences as a student attorney and a teacher led him to shift his focus toward education policy and advocacy. Tramelle is the Director of Education Trust but formerly worked as the external relations and policy manager. This nonprofit organization advocates for equity in education, particularly for Black, Brown, and low-income students.

“You can help them change their own trajectory in their own life,” shared Tramelle Howard on You Are A Lawyer.

Tramelle's role involves building relationships with coalitions and legislators in Louisiana to ensure that policies implemented in the state prioritize the needs of marginalized students. His work includes attending board meetings, participating in legislative sessions, and analyzing the impact of policies on the specific student subgroups his organization serves. Tramelle can use his legal background to advocate for equitable education policies and practices through his position.

Tramelle's story highlights the versatility of a law degree and the potential for individuals to carve out their unique career paths. While traditional legal practice is a standard route for law graduates, his experience shows that there are alternative avenues when applying legal skills and knowledge. Whether in policy advocacy, government affairs, or elected leadership, a law degree can provide a strong foundation for making a meaningful impact in various fields. Tramelle's journey inspires law graduates to think outside the box and pursue careers that align with their passions and values.

"I'm grateful to be a non-traditional lawyer and continue to tell my story because I think it's a story that need to be heard," shared Tramelle Howard on the You Are A Lawyer podcast.

Creating Your Own Career Path

Despite initially pursuing a career in broadcast journalism, Tramelle's passion for education led him to change his trajectory and focus on advocating for students. His story highlights the importance of creating a career path that aligns with your passions. He recognized that he could significantly impact student's lives by working in education policy rather than practicing family law.

"I still talk about law school. I talk about my law school experience. I talk about what it means now for my career. And I talk about doors that it was able to open for me as a young Black professional in the workspace that I'm in now," explained Tramelle Howard on You Are A Lawyer.

Tramelle’s journey serves as a reminder that following a traditional career path is not always the best option. He emphasizes the need to create your way and not be limited by societal expectations or norms. By doing so, individuals can find fulfillment and happiness in their work, even if it deviates from the traditional route. Tramelle's success as an external relations and policy manager and as a school board member demonstrates that pursuing your passions and creating your own career path can lead to meaningful and impactful work.

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