Ruth Triplet Langworthy

What is your life story since graduation?

I graduated from Wheaton in 2010 and enrolled in law school at the University of Minnesota. While there, I met my husband Lucas, a Bethel University grad, who works in motion design and video production. We have an adorable cavalier spaniel named Bleecker.  I currently work at as a lawyer at Wheaton College as the Associate Director of Gift Planning Services.

Could you talk specifically about your career story? Where did you start out occupationally, where are you now, and what do you hope to do down the road?

I took a direct path from a history and philosophy double major to law school and a legal job. I currently work at Wheaton in Gift Planning Services, where I discuss estate planning and tax law concepts with donors. I’m thrilled to have found my niche in the law and I’m excited about the opportunities the law provides to benefit individuals who give so generously to Wheaton.

Can you suggest some tangible connections between your current or previous employment and your history training?

The history major prepared me for a career in the law by requiring me to read large volumes of dense text with a high degree of comprehension. As a history major I was also expected to write clearly and concisely.

Outside of your job, are there ways that your history major has enriched your life?

The history major fosters curiosity, imagination, and the able to think across the academic disciplines. These traits enrich every life.

What advice would you provide to current or future history majors about making the most of their studies and degree?

History majors work in every field you can imagine, but few of them are in jobs that require a detailed knowledge of history. Because the connection between your history training and the skills needed for a particular job might not be obvious to a prospective employer, you need to be able to make that connection for them. If you do not plan to go to graduate school, work experience will help you make your case. Be proactive in seeking internship opportunities. Focus on whether the position would allow you to develop your strengths and learn useful skills, rather than the particular field the job is in. Broad exposure to different workplace environments, and different types of industries, can give you insight and help you form professional goals.

If you had to do it again, would you still major in history? If so, why?

I knew when I became a history major that I would attend law school. As a law student, I found that the intensive reading and writing requirements of the history major had prepared me very well. I would definitely choose the history major again. That being said, I would encourage students considering law to also take classes in business, economics, accounting, and marketing.