Connor Hume's Aztec Experience
This Aztec is involved in law organizations such as SDSU Mock Trial and Pre-Law Society.
Major (and minor): Political science with a minor in interdisciplinary studies
Campus affiliations: Mock Trial, Pre-Law Society, Honors College, Alpha Kappa Psi
1. Why did you choose San Diego State University?
SDSU was not my first choice because it did not have a law school or a Mock Trial program, and I knew law was the career I would be moving toward. Those reasons then became the primary reason I decided to attend SDSU. I could be like any other student interested in law and go to a school with a program, do my time and get out. However, at SDSU I could create something that had never been done before. I could start a program that future pre-law students looking to go to school in San Diego could join.
2. What inspired you to declare your major?
I came in undeclared because law is not a major. In my first year, I had narrowed it down to political science and economics. Originally I was going to major in economics, but I came to learn that the political science major had an emphasis in law and allowed me open my eyes up to more worldly issues while pursing my passion.
3. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
That you are going to fail. I learned this making my mock trial organization and I continue to remember it. Failure is inevitable and each time you will be so overwhelmed that you’ll think this moment is how it all ends. Now we can either take that as it is or do something to change it, and changing it is something I will always do and encourage others to do. Failure is not the end of the road, just a detour.
4. Which SDSU faculty or staff member has been the most influential throughout your SDSU journey?
Professor Kimberly Fletcher has been instrumental in my college career. She has not only been a phenomenal teacher, but with her assistance I was able to get Mock Trial off the ground and make it a center piece of the pre-law community at SDSU.
5. What does student success mean to you?
Doing what you want and not what you are told. So many times I have seen people who are doing the safe major or doing what is easy. I encourage everyone to take a risk. I am so happy and passionate about where I want to go that I’m not worried about not having that safety net.
6. What experience at SDSU has changed your life the most?
Without a doubt, it was not getting an internship last year. I had applied for this program through the school where I would spend a semester in Washington, D.C. working for a congressman. I didn’t get it and that rejection lit a spark in me where I pushed myself to be better in every other aspect of my life so I can get the internship the next year.
7. What has been your proudest achievement while at SDSU?
When first building the Mock Trial team at SDSU, I had to find a way to interest people in the organization. I had never met anyone seriously passionate about law in my first year. I started presenting to other organizations, and I expected to get one or two people to sign up. I made signup sheets, gave my presentation and sat down refusing to see how many people were signing up because I did not want to see the sheet just getting passed around. The signup sheet ended up not having enough spaces for people to fill out, so people signed their names on any blank space they could find. I left that room holding on to the sheet in disbelief.
8. What’s your favorite thing about being an Aztec?
Getting to meet all the great people I have. There are so many people who are a part of the San Diego State University network that want to help in whatever way I can.
