Making Connections Through SSDP
Shaleen Aghi, SSDP alumn, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
It's funny, I never thought of it as "networking", but whenever I went to SSDP conferences I would collect the contact information of the amazing people I met just because I admired their stories, thought they were awesome, and wanted to be like them. That must be how you know you're in the right field.
Even though it's been five years since I graduated, I've never felt quite as home as I do with people from SSDP.
During law school when I didn't have as much free time to contribute, I kept up with my friends' activities in the movement and helped out advising the undergraduate chapter whenever I could.
Then, this year, when I decided to quit my firm, I called up everyone I knew from SSDP and asked them to let me know of any job openings. I was persistent - they don't come up that often, but you only need one, right? When I finally heard of a perfect opportunity in my area, I did everything I could, including bringing in references from my seven years with SSDP, to show I was the woman for the job. It worked, and I couldn't be more excited to join this effort - I am so grateful to SSDP for assisting me on this path! Sensible drug policies are "on the march"!"
Shaleen now works as the speakers coordinator for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
