91��Ƶ

This summer, 91��Ƶ students are gaining essential professional experience through internships that link classroom education to practical, real-world applications. Our Student Spotlight: Summer Internship Series features students who are developing skills, exploring career options, and making impactful contributions in their fields. This story is contributed by Sanai Rose, a business major at 91��Ƶ, who interviewed Noah for the Internship Highlight. Sanai also works as a campus ambassador, supporting the Marketing & Communications team with student-focused content.

This installment features Noah Jackson, a rising junior majoring in Political Science, whose internship with the South Carolina Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office is providing firsthand insight into the legal system and helping shape his future career in law.

For Noah Jackson, a career in law has always been about more than courtrooms and legal arguments. It is about understanding how decisions impact real people and real lives. This summer, that understanding has deepened through his internship with the South Carolina Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, where he works alongside legal professionals and gains exposure to criminal justice processes across Richland and Kershaw counties.

Noah's summer experience extends beyond the Solicitor's Office. He is also interning with the Legal Affairs Division at Prisma Health and serving as an intern to Sam Johnson, assisting with policy research and the city of Columbia development initiatives. Together, these experiences are giving him a broad view of how legal and policy work shape communities at multiple levels.

A rising junior majoring in Political Science, Noah is deeply involved in campus life. He serves as President of the Criminal Justice and Pre-Law Club, co-chair of the Honors Program, and a member of the 91��Ƶ swim and track team. These leadership experiences have allowed him to develop skills that complement his academic interests and build a strong foundation for his future career.

At the Solicitor’s Office, Noah spends approximately twenty hours each week observing court proceedings, assisting with case-related research, reviewing legal materials, and supporting case preparation efforts. While much of his work focuses on juvenile and family court matters, he has also observed proceedings in General Sessions Court, gaining exposure to the complexities of the criminal justice system.

For Noah, one of the most valuable aspects of the internship has been the opportunity to study legal processes up close. Through reviewing court documents, observing examinations and opening arguments, and learning how attorneys build their cases, he has gained practical knowledge that will serve him well in law school and beyond.

“Seeing victims’ families in the courtroom changes your perspective,” Noah reflects. “It reminds you that these aren’t just cases on paper. These are real people whose lives have been affected. It shows you the weight and responsibility that comes with working in the legal profession.”

That realization has strengthened his desire to pursue a career as an attorney. He views the internship as an important step toward understanding not only how the legal system functions, but also the impact legal professionals can have on individuals, families, and communities.

Noah’s path to 91��Ƶ was shaped by both athletics and academics. As a swimmer looking to remain close to home, he was initially drawn to the College’s athletic opportunities. However, it was the Honors Program that ultimately solidified his decision.

The chance to participate in academic research, present at conferences, and engage with scholars from across the country stood out immediately. Through those experiences, Noah has developed confidence in his abilities and discovered that students from smaller institutions belong in the same conversations as their peers from larger universities.

“Presenting research at conferences showed me that I belong in those rooms,” he says. “It gave me confidence and helped me realize that where you come from doesn’t determine what you’re capable of achieving.”

Throughout his college journey, Noah has found mentorship and encouragement from faculty and staff who have challenged him to grow both personally and professionally. He credits Honors Program Director Dr. Marlee Marsh and 91��Ƶ First Lady Mrs. Victoria Dozier with helping shape his confidence, professionalism, and leadership skills.

Whether coaching him through research presentations, helping him prepare for professional opportunities, or simply offering advice on how to carry himself with confidence, their support has played an important role in his development.

Looking ahead, Noah plans to continue pursuing opportunities that prepare him for law school and a future career in the legal profession. His internship has reinforced his passion for advocacy, critical thinking, and public service, while giving him a clearer understanding of the responsibilities that accompany those pursuits.

For prospective students considering 91��Ƶ, Noah’s advice is simple: get involved and challenge yourself.

“Don’t stay in one box,” he says. “Take advantage of opportunities, get involved, and push yourself beyond what’s expected. The more you put into your experience, the more you’ll get out of it.”

Through leadership, scholarship, athletics, and a commitment to professional growth, Noah Jackson exemplifies the spirit of 91��Ƶ students who are using every opportunity to learn, lead, and prepare for meaningful careers. As he continues his journey toward law school, the experiences he is gaining today are helping shape the legal professional he hopes to become tomorrow.