BA in Philosophy

Anees Mokhiber, 2014

Anees Mokhiber

What work are you doing now?

I am enrolled full time at George Mason University School of Law. I am currently studying law and literature, criminal procedure, immigration law, legal ethics, and products liability. I am applying for summer internships and in the process of founding the International Law Association.

What do you like about it?

I am learning to think like a lawyer. I am also coming to a better understanding of the influence the law has in all facets of society. Certain fields of law are proving unappealing, while other fields are capturing my interests. I am concerned about the perpetual instability in the Middle East and, through the law, I am discerning the ways in which I can make a real difference. I am reading all of the time, but learning to appreciate every last detail along the way.

How did your degree in the college prepare you to do this work?

Studying philosophy taught me logic. Logic is crucial for those who employ reason in their daily lives. Lawyers must ably exercise reason in order to be successful. Without my philosophy background, I would have been at a significant disadvantage. Also, the sheer amount of reading that I had become accustomed to, through Mason's undergraduate program, warmed me up for even more reading in law school. But most importantly, logic: that is the best gift that Mason's philosophy program gave me. I was already learning to think like a lawyer well ahead of my enrollment in law school.

What advice would you give current students about developing their careers?

Be purposeful in your decisions. Do not study something that will not be practical in your future; that would be a waste of time, energy, and tuition. Find a program that prepares you, even if only moderately, for your next step. Paving the way for your next step makes your current studies all the more worthwhile and rewarding. Follow your heart, and try your best to employ logic along the way.