Spotlight on Social Sciences Alumni: Matthew Fearnside
Name: Matthew Fearnside
Age: 30
Occupation: Attorney (Associate at Arnold & Porter, LLP)
Education (UR and additional): B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science, University of Rochester, 2003, 2004 (Take 5). J.D., Duke University School of Law, 2007. M.A. in History, Duke University, 2007.
Current city/state of residence: Washington, D.C.
Community activities: Various Bar related activities and small scale community service activities.
When and how did you choose your major?
As a High School Social Studies teacher, my mother cultivated a love of history in me from an early age. Though I always knew I wanted to major in History at UR, I found a dual major in Political Science to offer the perfect, and more analytical, compliment to the study of both history and political systems. Basically, following my passions led me down this path.
What activities were you involved in as a student and what did you gain from them?
I did everything and anything at UR: Resident Advisor, Teaching Assistant, Senior Class/Class of 2003 Council, Cabinet. The relatively small class size at UR provides such a unique opportunity to interact with your fellow students at all class levels. Being part of my class council and in student government gave me the chance to lead and shape the needs and wants of our class, while being an RA and Teaching Assistant allowed me to feel like I was giving back by offering advice and guidance to the students who followed.
Who were your mentors while you were on campus? Have you continued those relationships?
For the first time in my life, my primary mentors were the professors who taught me, primarily Celia Applegate and Stewart Weaver in the History Department. I was fortunate enough to remain in contact with both of them through law school and the judicial clerkship process, and I hope to reconnect with them during departmental events at my upcoming 10th year class reunion.
What did you do immediately after graduation? How did you decide to take that path?
As a Take Five student, I was fortunate to have an additional year to decide what I wanted to do after graduation and was very grateful for that. By the time my Take Five year came, I knew I wanted the flexibility that a law degree provided, as well as a chance to continue pursuing my passion for History. As a consequence, I examined both J.D./PhD and J.D./M.A. programs, and ultimately chose Duke University/Duke University School of Law’s J.D./M.A. program.
What do you do now and why did you choose this career?
Currently, I am an Associate attorney with the law firm of Arnold & Porter, LLP in Washington, D.C., practicing litigation. Besides the practical considerations of choosing a private law firm career in the wake of mounting law school debt (a caution to all of those looking at law school), A&P provides me the opportunity to work on both commercial and pro bono cases while building legal and professional skills necessary to eventually transition to government, public interest, or even a non-legal career down the road.
How do you balance your work and personal life?
With having such a demanding and stressful job at times, I have discovered over time that the way you find balance in your life is to practice it. In other words, while I am fortunate enough to work for a company that has very generous vacation leave, maternity/paternity leave policies etc., ultimately the onus is on the individual to actually utilize the policies. The saying has never been truer that you are in charge of both your career and life. Prioritize balance, and then, fight for it! It will make you a more productive and happier employee.
With the “great recession” upon us, and hopefully easing, the general consensus is to look for career paths that provide one with the most certain and immediate job prospects. However, my advice would be to follow your passions while at UR, but also, look for internships, extracurricular activities, and graduate work that will provide you the opportunity of both experience and academic knowledge to make you marketable to employers. You will likely change jobs several times after graduation, so be flexible enough to adapt wherever life takes you.
