A career services advisor can be an amazing resource in law school as you navigate OCI, externships, clerkship applications, and more. However, it’s important that you find the advisor who can best help you reach your personal goals! To do so, follow along with this new series to learn about each CSO advisor at Boston College Law School. Here is our interview with Amy Kolb.

What’s the best piece of career advice you can offer students?

I think it’s important for students to stay flexible and open-minded during their job searches and throughout their careers. By approaching a job search with an adaptable mindset, students may discover unexpected interests and opportunities they would’ve otherwise overlooked.

After law school, I accepted a litigation associate position at Foley Hoag. Shortly before I started, the firm asked me if I would consider joining the corporate department, which was especially busy. Although I felt more comfortable with brief writing than drafting merger agreements, I decided to explore the opportunity rather than immediately reject the request, which was my initial impulse. As I learned more about Foley’s transactional practice, I was impressed with how challenging and interesting the work seemed. I decided to take a chance, work where the firm needed me the most, and give corporate law a try. I discovered that I really enjoyed learning about clients’ businesses, providing advice, and helping clients grow their companies by raising capital and making acquisitions. After a few years, I was offered an associate general counsel position at a Fortune 500 company based on my corporate law experience. When I look back, I realize that my willingness to consider, and ultimately join, an unfamiliar practice area changed my career trajectory and led to a rewarding career path. While every opportunity might not be the right fit, I encourage students to keep an open mind and carefully consider all opportunities that come their way.

How would you describe your advising style when you work with students?

I have an optimistic approach to life, and I try to bring my enthusiasm to every advising appointment. Boston College law students are a talented group, and I have great confidence that each student with whom I work will be able to achieve their career goals with some hard work and persistence. I hope that my positive energy helps motivate students as they move forward with their job searches.

For me, another key to successful advising is to help students create an overall job search plan and then break it down into manageable chunks, so it never feels overwhelming. I’m a big fan of making lists and then crossing tasks off one by one.

Where should students visit in Boston before they graduate?

Anyone who knows me well will not be surprised by my recommendation for a place students should visit before they graduate: the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. For nine years, I created presentations and led student tours at the MFA as a gallery instructor. The MFA has many wonderful collections (I could talk about them all day), but I especially enjoy exploring the Art of Ancient Egypt and Nubia galleries and feeling transported back in time to these sophisticated civilizations. If you visit, be sure to check out King Menkaura and Queen, an over-4,400-year-old statue that is awe-inspiring.

What do you like to do for fun?

I enjoy traveling and exploring cities, especially Atlanta and New York City where two of my children recently moved after graduating from college. I also enjoy going on long walks with my husband and dog, Sadie, cheering on the Celtics, and seeing Broadway plays (most recently Kimberly Akimbo). I have two children still in college (including one at Boston College) and have had fun attending many parents’ weekends and college football games these past few years. I’m looking forward to having everyone home for a Thanksgiving celebration.

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Tess Halpern is a third-year student and president of the Impact blog. Contact her at halperte@bc.edu.