On June 7, 2023, The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law concluded its inaugural 1L Becoming a Legal Professional Program. The year-long program was a joint venture between the Law School's Office of Career & Professional Development and the Student and Academic Affairs divisions. It provided students with guided sessions and workshops on today's legal market, lawyer competencies and related academic opportunities at Catholic Law, mastering the job search process, and networking strategies.

The final session, hosted by Molly Bryson '98 at the D.C. office of Ballard Spahr LLP, helped to focus rising 2L students, many of whom had just started their first-ever law jobs, on the soft skills essential to succeed in a legal setting. The panel discussion, moderated by Bryan McDermott, Assistant Dean for Academic and Bar Support, offered students in attendance important insights for navigating that first legal placement from Jim Moye '99, Debbie Chu '17, and Professor Jocelyn Dyer, Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor. Summarizing up an essential tenet of the program in a single piece of advice, Moye encouraged students when they are charting their pathways in the legal profession to remember they are their "own architects;" finding what it is that speaks to their personal strengths, goals, and vocational calling.