Cade Wilson

“Once I graduate, I plan to use my degree to get a job in project management and then later on pursue a law degree.”

“Faculty have had an enormous impact on my success. The small class sizes at Carthage allowed me to develop a more impactful relationship with professors, which made me more comfortable speaking up in class when I didn’t understand something or when I felt passionate about a topic. Having close connections with everyone on campus helped me network in ways that set me up for future success.”

“My favorite class so far has been the J-Term course History of the British Isles Through Hollywood. The class allowed me to continue my education in between semesters while also giving me a small break from my regular schedule. In addition, having all of my friends (and my twin brother) in that class made it feel as though it was not a class at all.”

“I have been a part of the men’s soccer team for three years. I am also a member of Enactus, Residence Life Council, Velocity Consulting, Business Book Club, and Alpha Lambda Delta, and I was a resident assistant my sophomore year. I was also able to be part of the development of Black Bird Gen., LLC, which catapulted my interest in sustainability efforts. These student organizations allowed me to get the most out of my Carthage experience and travel around the nation (to cities such as New York and Boston).”

“The toughest class I have taken so far has been Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties. This class was chiefly about defining cases and their impact on the constitution and the way we shape the various laws being applied today. I found it extremely difficult because of the amount of material that needed to be known in order to contribute to class discussion and to write essays. I will say, though, the professor made the class structured; I did not feel as though my lack of knowledge of a case would affect my success in the class. So, while it was challenging, the class was also very rewarding.”

“My first ever internship was being a door-to-door sales associate for Pure Energy Solar. I got to live in Austin, Texas, rent-free and sell solar to communities that wanted to reduce their power bill and save the earth in the process. While the summer days were hot, the ability to pursue sustainability in communities made the experience worth it.

“My second internship was being a legal assistant for Jeffrey Leavell, S.C. — a law firm in Racine, Wis. Through this experience, I was able to see firsthand a day in the life of a lawyer and develop my knowledge of the various processes of the justice system. I am now employed there and have made life-long relationships with my co-workers that I will always cherish.”

“I had the opportunity to participate in the Enactus Quick Pitch Competition, where I presented an entrepreneurial idea in front of a selection of judges who were business owners in the community. I ended up winning the competition!”

“Some of my favorite memories at Carthage include Homecoming weekend, where I was able to experience various activities around campus, and J-Term, which allowed me to relax and enjoy the wonders of winter.”

“My favorite spots on campus are the conference rooms in the David A. Straz Jr. Center. I love being surrounded by windows and being able to look out and see the ‘Kenocean’ — just another reason to love Carthage and its location.”

“The biggest surprise so far for me is the culture surrounding athletics. During my time at Carthage, I have seen that the athletics programs receive a lot of attention and everyone seems to love all the sports here. It is awesome when you play at home, but it is even cooler to be in the stands watching the men’s volleyball team win two consecutive national championships!”

“I never would have thought I’d choose this career path. I always had a really big passion for marine biology and the ocean, but my parents always thought I would make a great lawyer due to my persistent arguing to make sure they knew I was right (like 92 percent of the time). I guess they knew my plan all along.”

“Studying criminal justice has allowed me to have very thoughtful discussions on the political and social climate of the criminal justice system and the many ways in which we can shape it to have the most beneficial impact. The biggest advice I have for those thinking about this major is to try and pair it with another major at Carthage.

“Also, don’t waste your time worrying about what you will do in the future! What you think you will do coming to Carthage may not be what do after leaving Carthage, so don’t stress yourself out. Although getting good grades is important, I believe that it is not the quintessential goal of college. I believe that is networking and developing friendships with people who are in the same boat as you. If you do that, you will be able to truly find success in whatever path you are in.”

“I chose Carthage initially for the lakefront view. But, once I visited campus, I instantly fell in love with the facilities and the culture. Additionally, the opportunity to play soccer was another big reason why I chose Carthage. Overall, getting to be so close to two of the largest cities in the Midwest and the opportunities made me feel that Carthage was the school for me.”