William Arrett Email & Phone Number

Short Version: I want a career in conservation, but I also want a career that relies heavily on the skills I've honed through my study of philosophy: argument, advocacy, critical thinking, and writing. Becoming an environmental attorney/advocate will allow me to contribute to conservation goals by applying the skills I'm best equipped to use. To that end, I am now attending law school and actively looking for opportunities that will give me work experience in the legal realm. Long Version:I used to agonize over whether to pursue a career in field ecology or academic philosophy. Arguing about metaethics and mereology brings me the same amount of joy as observing and studying Earth's magnificent critters. Loving both of my passions equally became a real decision making obstacle. As an undergraduate student, I double majored in conservation biology and philosophy. When applying to graduate school, I applied to programs in both philosophy and marine ecology. I knew I couldn't pursue both professions simultaneously, so I promised to let the universe choose for me by selecting the master's program that offered the highest funding. Philosophy ended up winning that contest, but I couldn't stand the thought of hurting ecology's feelings. Before earning my MA in philosophy in British Columbia, I took a bit of a detour to Southeast Asia to intern for a local marine conservation organization and subsequently earn a professional certification as a divemaster. Obviously unwilling to devote myself only to one discipline, I began looking into careers outside of academia that wouldn't force me to professionally abandon one of my intellectual passions. That's when I saw the job title that changed everything: "Environmental Attorney/Advocate" Everything clicked for me after reading that job description. Arguing and advocating for environmental interests would flex the same muscles I love to use when arguing and advocating for my favorite philosophical views. It was such a relief to discover this means of combining my passion for conservation with the skills and careful thinking of philosophy. In college, when choosing between the different biological sciences, I ended up specializing in the applied science of conservation biology because I love the idea of using the fruits of my inquiry to solve pressing issues. My choice to attend law school felt very analogous because one might think choosing to practice law is like choosing to specialize in an applied philosophy. I am now a 1L at California Western School of Law in San Diego.