Brittany Hamilton, JD/MBA Candidate
Drive, passion, and plenty of coffee…. These are just a few of the things fueling Brittany Hamilton.
A JD/MBA candidate, Hamilton not only works hard at her coursework, but she’s also an avid marathon runner, training in between school, part-time jobs, and a legal internship.
At the forefront of it all, though, is her education. “Right now, I’m what the U.S. Census would call a ‘professional student,’” said Hamilton. “I am a full-time law student and a part-time MBA student, and my studies take up most of my time.”
Originally from Toronto, Ontario [Canada], Hamilton chose the University of Richmond specifically for the opportunity to pursue the JD/MBA, and “from the beginning, my experience with The Richmond MBA was positive, and the administration has been more than willing to help me acclimate my hectic lifestyle,” she said.
In addition to her studies, that hectic lifestyle consists of part-time work for a law school professor, part-time work for Cortview Capital Securities, an upcoming legal internship with the Virginia College Savings Plan, volunteering, cycling, hiking, kayaking, travelling, and…lots of running.
Hamilton remembers, “I started running Cross Country and long-distance Track and Field in high school, and started running longer and longer distances. My first semester of college, I ran 23 miles with a friend who was training for his first marathon...just for fun.”
She has never looked back. “My next half marathon is on June 2 in West Virginia, and my next full marathon is on August 18 in Reykjavik, Iceland.” Yes…Iceland.
When asked what it is about running that appeals to her, Hamilton said, “I think I love running so much because it is the ultimate stress reliever. It is a great way for me to work out my hardest and multitask. I often record my classes and listen to pre-recorded legal cases on my iPod while I run, so I don't lose any time for studying.”
So, how does someone so busy keep up? “I rely very heavily on a day planner, Google Calendar, and coffee to stay organized, and it seems to work well,” she says. “I have really loved being as busy as I am, have made some amazing friends all over Richmond and have been blessed with some great professional mentors.”
Hamilton is still working out what her dream career would look like, but she notes, “With the excellent education I’ve received from the University of Richmond, I feel more prepared for whatever comes my way.”
The Robins School has been instrumental in that preparation. According to Hamilton, “The Robins School of Business has created excellent opportunities for me to build my professional network. Many of the internships and jobs that I have been lucky enough to get during my time at Richmond have been because The Richmond MBA is so respected in the area.” She adds, “[Another] nice thing about the Robins School is that it is set up to foster partnership and teamwork. [The] law school, in general, is very individually focused, whereas the Robins School is very focused on group work and team production. I love that, and it gives me a chance to step out of my own legal box and hear about my classmates' experiences, and get their perspectives on projects and homework. All of that “plus the great extracurricular programs and introductions to local businesses has helped me build my career.”
So, what does the future hold for Hamilton? She hopes to eventually find “a career where the financial and legal spheres meet, working as in-house counsel for an investment bank or working for the Federal Reserve or the FDIC.” On a personal note, she says, “One day, when I have more time to train, I would like to run a 50-mile race. Other than that, I'd like to write a book, take an award winning photograph, own a home, travel as many places as I can go, learn seven languages (I speak French and Chinese already), and build great relationships with great friends (basically everything on the back of a Lululemon shopping bag).”
A success story already, Hamilton continues to race to new heights.