When Brooke Campbell goes to work, she thinks about how one conversation changed her office from a clinic to a courtroom.

Campbell, now an attorney, received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Oklahoma State University in 2011.

“At the time I started undergrad, I thought I wanted to go into clinical psychology and get my doctorate,” Campbell said. “I always thought psychology was really interesting.”

At a professor’s recommendation, Campbell applied for the Udall Scholarship, a competitive federal award for college sophomores and juniors who plan to pursue careers related to the environment, tribal public policy or Native American health care.

Her experience taught her the value of seeking out opportunities, even when the path ahead isn’t entirely clear. She encourages students to apply for scholarships and get involved, even if they aren’t sure they qualify.

“I started with talking with my advisor and just seeing what else was out there to see what I even could apply for,” Campbell said. “You just have to seek out opportunities and put yourself out there.”

After receiving the scholarship, Campbell attended the Udall Scholar Orientation, where conversations with other scholars caused her to reconsider her career path.

“There were several small group sessions at the Udall retreat focused on legal topics and a lot of Udall recipients were planning on going to law school,” Campbell said. “At that time, I knew I didn't want to continue with clinical/neuroscience psychology and several people during the small groups encouraged me to consider going into law.”

When Campbell returned to OSU, she began preparing for the LSAT and applying to law school. She was accepted into the University of Oklahoma College of Law and began her new career.

Although Campbell didn’t continue down the clinical psychology path she originally envisioned, her psychology background has remained relevant in her career as an attorney.

“There’s a lot of psychology and counseling that goes along with being a lawyer,” Campbell said. “It’s a different kind of help.”

After graduating from law school in 2014, Campbell joined a five-person law firm in Perryton, Texas, where she continues to practice today. She gets to work in several different areas at the firm, including estate planning, guardianships, probates and serving as general counsel for the local hospital.

It only took one conversation to change the trajectory of Campbell’s professional life. Since then, she has never looked back.

“I love my job. I love where I work, and I really like helping people in that way,” Campbell said. “I'm glad I didn't go the route I thought I was going to go.”

Story By: Rachel Teran | rachel.teran10@okstate.edu