• Graduation Year: 2017
  • Majors & Minors: History major; Biology minor

Rakim Solomon

Alumni

Why did you choose history as your major?

I chose History as my major because it was always a subject I found fascinating. I enjoyed reading and writing about ancient history in particular; the history major seemed like a great way to combine my talents with my passion.

What did you like most about it?

I liked everything about the major. From the classes (there was a plethora to pick from and they were all fascinating subjects), to the faculty (I did not have a single bad history professor; every single professor was enthusiastic about their class and subject, knowledgeable, friendly, and willing to help all their students), to my fellow classmates—and everything in between. It was a fantastic experience.

What is your current position, what do you, and what do you enjoy most about it?

I am currently in law school. I am a law student; I enjoy everything there is to enjoy about being a student. Making more connections, learning, researching and writing (sometimes).

What was your first job after Rutgers and how did you get it?

My first “job” has been my summer internship at The Chemours Company. I got the job through a tertiary organization, not connected to Rutgers or Drexel’s law program. 

Looking back, what classes or experiences at Rutgers would you point to as contributing to your successes?

The history major was an incredible guide towards my success. As a law student, and as a lawyer, you constantly read and write. What prepared me better for constant reading and writing other than my History major?! Every class was informative and a stepping stone towards my current career path. However, the History Seminar and the History Workshop were two courses that set me up well. The Seminar was incredible because it forced you to pick a topic and become the expert. You had to teach yourself, your classmates, and your professor about a topic that interested you—and do it well. The Workshop was incredible because you got on the ground experience interning at a historical organization. You learned what it was like to be a “historian,” that is, a practicing one. As a whole, I think every class I took, every faculty member I met, and everything I learned helped contribute to my current success.

What advice do you have for our current Arts and Sciences students?

If you are passionate about history, don’t let the question of, “what are you going to do with that degree?” slow you down. If you are passionate about any subject, ask yourself, “what can I do with this?” Do some research, talk with your advisors (the History department has great advisors), find out what you’d like to do, and go for it. 

Return to Prospective Students Page