Purdue Global Law School gave her the chance she’d been waiting for
Janet Regnier, Purdue Global Law School ’23 (Purdue Global photo)
She waited almost 30 years for her dream. Finally, she earned her law degree.
After years of looking for the right path, Janet Regnier finally saw the chance to pursue her dream with Purdue Global Law School. Now she’s sharing the story of how her online law degree moved her forward.
I’ve wanted to go to law school since I was 17, which I realized at my part-time job as a runner for a law firm. It was so interesting. I knew I’d have a career one day, so why not do this? It felt like I was learning something new every day, and I never felt like I was working. But right after college, I got married and raised four kids. Even though I loved being a full-time mom, law school never stopped being a goal of mine.
Then my youngest was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. At the time, I couldn’t handle anything else; I was learning how to take care of him. I don’t recall being away from him overnight for seven years. It’s not like it was his fault, of course, and he was never a burden. It’s just life. My priority was taking care of him, and I’m proud of how brave he is. A few years later, I also became a grandmother, and I wanted to be there for my granddaughter during those first pivotal years.
When I discovered Purdue Global Law School, I was excited because it seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally pursue my dreams. But I hesitated. I was going to spend the next four years of my life in school and then start a new career after 20 years at home. I thought, “I’ll be 53 when I’m done, and I haven’t worked all these years. Is this going to be worth it?”
When I discovered Purdue Global Law School, I was excited because it seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally pursue my dreams.
Janet Regnier
JD ’23, Purdue Global Law School
But you just have to shut all that out. Dean Martin Pritikin called me and gave an honest explanation of how the next four years would be. He said it would be a tremendous amount of work, but if I can make it, I would have an outstanding academic foundation in law and the confidence to pursue a career as an attorney.
I’m here to tell you that I made it. There’s so much I could say about the great experience I had at Purdue Global Law School. You never feel alone because the professors and student support team are readily available. And not only did I graduate from law school, but I also found a job in the areas of law I’m most interested in — I found a job in real estate and tax controversy as a law clerk. In February, I will take the bar exam to become a licensed attorney.
I see myself pursuing tax and real estate law for a long time. But knowing there’s plenty of room to grow for someone with a JD and soon, a bar license — that’s worth so much to me.
I’m so proud that I finally accomplished my dream, and I’m proud my kids saw it. I hope watching my journey shows them they can reach their dreams, too, no matter what those dreams are. They just need to set a goal and do it. It’s never too late.
I hope watching my journey shows (my kids) they can reach their dreams, too, no matter what those dreams are. It’s never too late.
Janet Regnier JD ’23, Purdue Global Law School
Related Stories
