July 24, 2007
Busy law student enjoys challenge of dual degree
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Not that the definition applies to many third-year law school students. While the 28-year-old Roszak is working to complete dual degrees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale — a law degree from the SIU School of Law and a master's degree in public administration — he's also busy with other activities.
For the past eight months, Roszak has been working as an intern with the Illinois Department of Public Health in Springfield, where he drafted and revised administrative rules for various IDPH programs.
"He's representative of the kind of student we get here," said law school professor W. Eugene Basanta, who is faculty adviser of the law school's Law and Medicine Society, of which Roszak is currently president. "He has a high-quality background already. He's always working on two or three projects."
The former Kankakee firefighter and paramedic acknowledges he is "very motivated."
Roszak is living in Springfield this summer, and still works one day a week in Springfield when school is in session. The six-hour, 450-mile roundtrip journey is "challenging, both from a logistical and sustentative standpoint, but definitely worth it," he said.
Roszak enjoys the dual-degree program, one of seven offered at the law school, because it allows you to "look at curriculum from different perspectives."
"It's a challenge because it's a different mindset," he said. "Being an administrator, you have to worry about personnel and human resources. The public administration option allows you to apply a lot of legal principles you learn in the classroom and put them into context."
His IDPH duties included serving as rules coordinator in development, planning and implementation of a new pet population spay/neuter program in the state. He is also actively involved in drafting and development of rules and policies for the Tattoo and Body Art Establishment Program. The IDPH is required to inspect tattoo and body piercing parlors to ensure they comply with state standards.
"That's the neat thing," he said. "I get to see policy decisions, the rule-making and the program implementation."
Roszak hopes to work in a legal/policy-making position with a governmental agency after he graduates.
The son of Joyce and Robert Plechaty of Valparaiso, Ind., and Ronald and Joan Roszak of Palatine, Roszak was a full-time firefighter and paramedic prior to deciding to enroll in law school. Among his honors is the 2002 Firefighter of the Year Award in Kankakee County for his part in the July 2001 rescue of two children in a mobile home fire.
Roszak earned his bachelor's degree in Fire Science Management from the Chicago Fire Academy through SIUC's off-campus programs. He also took master's-level courses in public administration from nearby Governor's State University before deciding to move to Carbondale.
"He came into the law school with just that professional experience and a pretty intense interest in health law, and in particular, emergency medicine," Basanta said.
As president of the student-based Law and Medicine Society, Roszak is "always thinking of things to do and programs to put on," Basanta said. "He's very engaged in law school and with all of the activities in law school."
One program presented by the organization last fall dealt with drug testing in professional sports. Other activities included hosting guest speakers and offering free blood pressure screenings.
"Law just isn't in a vacuum," he said. "If you are interested in environmental law, take some of the environmental classes we offer on campus. It is such a vast resource we have on campus. If you want to make the effort and do the legwork, it is something that can pay you back in dividends."
Roszak also works for Basanta as a research assistant for a newsletter for the Illinois State Bar Association.
Students in dual-degree programs have to be dedicated and self-motivated and know how to manage their time, Basanta said. While dual degree programs may not be for everyone, they are becoming more prevalent in law schools.
"More and more, the business and professional world sees that the law degree coupled with another professional degree is a strong credential, even if you never practice law a day in your life," he said.
Roszak is representative of another trend — the growth over the last 10 to 15 years of non-traditional students who already have professional backgrounds. Those students tend to be focused and motivated, "in part, because they are giving something up to come back to law school," Basanta said.
Caption:
Motivated and ready — Andrew R. Roszak is pursuing a law degree at the Southern Illinois University School of Law as well as a master’s degree in public administration. The former Kankakee firefighter is also an intern with the Illinois Department of Public Health in Springfield.
Photo provided