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

Want to start a podcast?

Save time and create faster with KD Creative. KD Creative offers done-for-you podcasting services by launching podcasts for small business owners and editing podcasts for existing podcasters. 

If you’re ready to get your content in the ears of your ideal customers, start working with KD Creative. Visit skiptheboringstuff.com to hire a podcast coach. 

First Gen Lawyer to Education Policy Manager featuring Tramelle Howard

<iframe width="100%" height="180" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless src="https://share.transistor.fm/e/42f5b3d0"></iframe>

First Gen Lawyer to Education Policy Manager featuring Tramelle HowardFirst 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.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zbqrmhudh1k?si=tRO0DKj948geba9d" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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.

Join the FREE mailing list!

Get behind-the-scenes content from You Are A Lawyer. 

1) Visit www.youarealawyer.com

2) Add your email address to the Subscribe pop-up box OR

3) Enter your email address on the right side of the screen

4) Get emails from me (I won't fill your inbox with junk)!

Contact Tramelle Howard

Tramelle Howard is not licensed to practice in any state. 

Learn more about Tramelle:  

The Education Trust

Interact with You Are A Lawyer

Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast. 

Follow the podcast:

YouTube: youtube.com/@youarealawyer

Instagram: instagram.com/youarealawyer

Twitter:  twitter.com/YouAreA_Lawyer

Website: youarealawyer.com

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T0lB4KHHvd0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Recent Episodes

How Comedy Made Me A Better Lawyer featuring Joel Oster

Joel Oster explains why laughter is important when teaching CLEs and how you can use the law as a tool.
Read and listen here

Why Legal Incubators are Creating Better Lawyers featuring Anne-Marie Rabago

Anne-Marie Rabago explains how to create sustainable businesses and the importance of admitting that lawyers don’t know everything.
Read and listen here

How I Graduated from Law School with Honors After Failing Out featuring SeNita McRae

SeNita McRae explains the difficulty of taking the bar exam while pregnant and the importance of innovating processes and procedures in corporate offices.
Read and listen here

How to Value Your Talents and Discover Career Success featuring Megan Smiley

Megan Smiley explains why she stopped practicing corporate law and the importance of international travel.
Read and listen here

How Philanthropic Giving Promotes Diversity and Opportunity in Higher Ed featuring Jera Oliver

Jera Oliver explains how a law clerkship inspired her non-traditional career and the importance of using money as a tool.
Read and listen here

Learn to Monetize Your Passions as a Travel Blogger featuring Francesca Chang

Francesca Chang explains how learning Mandarin made her closer to her family and the importance of managing your career expectations.
Read and listen here

How to Manage Your Finances and Money Mindset as a Lawyer feat. Rho Thomas

Rho Thomas explains the risks of entrepreneurship and why lawyers should adjust their money mindsets.
Read and listen here

How Sales Funnels Create Million Dollar Law Firms featuring Sam Mollaei

Sam Mollaei explains how sales funnels can work for law firms and the importance of mentorship as an entrepreneur.
Read and listen here

Multiple Career Changes Inspired Me to Become a Career Strategist featuring Michelle Thompson

Michelle Thompson explains why calming the nervous system can make you a better lawyer and the importance of listening to your mom.
Read and listen here

Why I Withdrew from the Bar Exam After Being Bullied Into Retaking It featuring Kate Dwyer

Kate Dwyer withdrew from the bar exam when she knew she was not ready to take it. In this episode, Kate explains why she trusted her gut and avoided toxic positivity surrounding the bar exam. The bar exam is a gatekeeping exam that keeps the undesirable lawyers away from becoming an attorney. Listen to learn why Kate had to trust herself and how the bar exam affects your mental health.
Read and listen here

LLM vs JD: An Argument for Alternative Legal Degrees featuring Morgyn Jones

Morgyn Jones explains why you shouldn’t let the fear of not having a JD limit your career prospects.
Read and listen here

Digital Creators Have Unique Legal Issues (And Lawyers Must Take Notice) featuring Jon Tobin

After working as a designer & software developer, Jon Tobin attended law school. With his creative background, he became a partner at Counsel for Creators to assist with copyrights, trademarks, licensing and other issues.
Read and listen here

©2023 You are a Lawyer LLC.
All rights reserved.