Sarah Dobson

I graduated from Dalhousie University with an Honours degree in Political Science in 2017. I remained at Dal to pursue a law degree at the Schulich School of Law. I got my law degree in 2020, and I am currently an Articled Clerk at Cox and Palmer, a law firm in Halifax.

Those who know me and my academic journey know how important my undergraduate degree was to me. Studying political science at Dalhousie changed me as a person, and altered the course my life would take.

When I signed up for the introductory course, I thought studying political science would be contained to studying technical things, such as how laws get passed, and how elections work. Which it is-- but it’s also so much more. Being exposed to professors and students who were studying and analyzing the political landscape changed the way I saw the world around me. Quickly, I became fascinated with learning about the way decisions are made, the way states interact with one another, political philosophy, and international human rights.

Political science opened so many doors for me, it’s hard to imagine where I would be without it. During my time in the degree, I got to partake in many diverse experiences that instilled in me a love for learning, and a dedication to my community. I travelled to Belgium to study the European Union, I spent time volunteering at the Halifax Refugee Clinic for school credit, and I worked and volunteered in political offices here in Halifax, and on Parliament Hill. My favourite experience was writing my Honours thesis project under the supervision of Frank Harvey. Getting to work with professors at the top of their field as a young student was humbling, and the size of the program at Dalhousie allows students to really get to know and learn from them.

Not only that, but I can’t imagine any program that would have better prepared me for my next educational journey—law school. Law school is a tough grind, and so is the practice of law. It is full of long readings, critical analysis and concepts that truly make your head hurt. But the way that political science taught me to think meant that I was able not only to stay afloat in this environment, but succeed. I ended up placing first in my class in second year, and receiving ten course prizes for highest marks in different classes. I really believe I was set up for success due to the way political science shaped me as a student. I learned how to form an argument, how to write effectively, and how to think about issues critically. These skills served me well, and will continue to serve me well as I begin practicing law.

My latest project has been working on a book entitled “On Their Shoulders: The Women Who Paved the Way in Nova Scotia Politics”. In 2019, I was brainstorming ideas for how I could fundraise to start a scholarship for women in the political science department. I knew I wanted to give back to the department that gave me so much. I came up with the idea to write a book profiling all 50 women to ever serve as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia. Another political science student and I interviewed these women, and the book with their stories is set to be published in 2021. All proceeds will go towards the newly established Women in Politics Scholarship at Dalhousie University.