Name
Andy Knopik
Which degrees did you earn from CAS?
Undergraduate
Major(s) or area(s) of study
Women's and Gender Studies; Psychology
Graduation year
2025
Who is your employer, and where are they located?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law
Lincoln, NE
What is your job title and what kind of work does it involve?
I am a recruitment specialist for the college of law. My job involves recruiting counseling prospective law students. I advise students on law school application strategies, travel across the country to attend recruitment fairs, and run events that inform law-bound students about the unique offerings of Nebraska Law.
What sparked your interest in your major(s) or area(s) of study?
I have always had a passion for advocacy and interpersonal relationship building. I felt that both of my majors, plus my minors (English and Sexuality Studies) all lent themselves to a career in helping others, and leading with empathy.
What do you see as the value of your major(s) or CAS degree?
More than anything, my degree allowed me to deeply understand others not only on a scientific level, but also on a social and interpersonal level. This degree bolstered my ability to be an effective advisor in my current role, and gave me an interdisciplinary academic background that will be applicable both in my career and in my personal life.
Were there any other people, activities, or events from your time at UNL that helped you get to where you are now?
I loved all of the faculty and staff I interacted with. A few worthy mentions are Dr. Rosemarie Holz, who taught my capstone WGS course. Dr. Holz remains a positive presence in my life post-graduation, and was instrumental in the formation of my senior capstone. Similarly, Dr. Katrina Jagodinsky (History Dep.) spurred my interest in legal history, which led to my capstone project, and a year long job working in the Digital Legal Research Lab, one of the best experiences in my undergraduate career.
I also owe a debt of gratitude to my amazing academic and career advisors, Dr. Kathleen Lacey and Allison Docter.
Finally, if you have a chance to take "Body Language: Love, Politics, and the Self in French Literature" with Dr. Nora Martin Peterson, I recommend you do so. It was one of the best classroom experiences I have ever had.
Tell us about the path you took to get to where you are today in your career and how you applied your education in your major(s) or area(s) of study to get here.
Starting in about February of my senior year, I started applying to University jobs. I knew that I wanted to work in Higher Education, so I would look through the University of Nebraska job boards daily.
I also cannot recommend the CAS Career Services Office highly enough. I worked with Allison Docter, but everyone there is wonderful. I wish I had taken advantage of their services sooner. Allison helped me with resume and cover letter work, gave me tips on how to tailor each application to its listing, and helped me find job listings in the areas I was interested in.
After a lot of searching, I found my current position at the College of Law. It was a perfect fit, as it required many skills I gained during my degree. Public speaking, interpersonal relationship building, project management, and my legal research experiences all drew me to this position and were instrumental in my success. I interviewed in June 2025, and started in July.
What are your future professional goals?
Currently, I am loving working in higher education. I would like to pursue a graduate or law degree, but for now am very happy with my position. I work with a wonderful team and I am doing work I truly believe makes a difference in the lives of future legal professionals.
January 29, 2026
