For Amillia Keagle JMS’26, a yoga class in Mount Laurel, NJ, unexpectedly became the gateway to her first legal internship at William Kirby Law LLC, a boutique-sized family law firm. She’d been taking the managing attorney, William Kirby’s, yoga classes for years, and after learning more about his practice, asked him for an internship opportunity.

“As somebody who studies communications, I was really interested in Kirby’s approach to managerial and client relations, because of the positive affirmations he’d preach each week during class,” Keagle explained. “So, I presented my interest in interning at his firm by expressing my desire to learn how to communicate with others in undesirable circumstances, with a calm and forward-thinking attitude.”

Keagle is a Journalism and Media Studies student with a specialization in Global Media, also pursuing two minors — one in Women’s and Gender Studies and another in Creative Expressions and the Environment. Currently preparing for the LSAT and planning to attend law school in Fall 2026, she jumped at the chance to gain legal experience. Though family law wasn’t her main area of interest, she took the opportunity to strengthen her communication skills in a legal setting to better prepare for a hopeful future in First Amendment Law.

The small practice, consisting of Kirby and two other attorneys, welcomed Keagle alongside two new paralegals in May. She was excited, but the transition wasn’t seamless. “For a small firm to take on, let alone one new person, but three shakes the ground,” she explained.

In the early weeks, she attended client meetings and consultations while also doing paralegal tasks. While she found the exposure valuable, she felt her contributions to the firm could be more substantial. “It was challenging at first because I wasn’t sure what my responsibilities were or how I could contribute meaningfully,” she said.

Drawing from her experience with the Institute for Women's Leadership at Rutgers, where she learned professional development and navigating uncomfortable situations, Keagle decided to take initiative. She started by scheduling weekly check-ins with her internship supervisor to settle into her role and begin to set concrete goals.

When the firm later discussed adding a marketing and communications component, Keagle didn’t hesitate to volunteer. With her media background from her journalism courses and organizations like Students for Environmental Awareness, Keagle felt confident in her ability to take on projects like writing blog posts and managing their social media pages.

Outside of communications, Keagle has also had the opportunity to go to court, sit in with attorneys, and take notes during the proceedings. One of the highlights of her internship came when Kirby, who had just become president of the Philadelphia chapter of the American Inns of Court for family law, invited her to sit in on an executive board meeting in the chambers of a Philadelphia family law judge. “It was really cool because I got to see the judge’s chambers,” she said.

Reflecting on her experience, Keagle shared advice for fellow Rutgers students seeking internships: “If you feel uncomfortable or aren’t satisfied with your role as an intern, remember that the purpose of an internship is to professionally develop yourself. Take risks and speak up.”

Learn more about the Journalism and Media Studies program at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information website.