Kelly Saunders, M.S.L. ’23 always had an interest in law and initially planned to become a lawyer after working for some time as a paralegal. Instead, she decided to pursue an alternate career path in ethics and compliance where she said she “found her calling.”
While completing her online M.S.L. degree in Corporate Compliance at Fordham Law, Saunders accepted a position as an ethics and compliance program specialist at a large financial services company. More recently, she began a position as an ethics and business conduct manager at a large defense contractor.
The skills and experience Saunders developed in the M.S.L. program have been essential in making her a top candidate, and they have served her well in her new role. “Having a solid understanding of the ‘why’ behind compliance and the basic tools to operate in that environment was incredibly helpful,” said Saunders. “The program is designed to be practical—you will use what you learn.”
What is your hometown?
Reading, Massachusetts.
Where did you study before Fordham Law?
St. Michael’s College, double major in sociology/anthropology and political science, with a minor in English literature.
How did you get into compliance?
My career journey has been a bit atypical, but I have enjoyed every moment of it and feel like it has brought me to where I am truly meant to be.
In 2015, I began as a project assistant at a boutique law firm in downtown Washington, D.C. I moved into a paralegal role at that same firm the following year and then left for a role as a legal assistant at a large international law firm, also in Washington. I always had a strong interest in law, and my plan was to go to law school after working for a bit. I ended up having a difficult time with the culture at this particular firm and realized it was not the right fit for me and so I accepted a paralegal role back at the first firm I worked at. I spent the next few years working hard and growing, but realized that, though I love law I did not want to practice as an attorney.
This led me to look for opportunities in-house and I landed a litigation paralegal role at a government contractor, where I truly found my calling. At this employer, ethics was a program housed within their legal department. I fell in love with the work of ethics and compliance which led me to seek out higher education to pursue this path. I chose the Fordham Corporate Compliance Program as it perfectly fit the niche I was looking for.
I hope people take from this that you should not be scared to chase what you want. If a position is no longer serving you, you should feel confident to seek other opportunities. Continuously work on yourself and never stop learning and don’t become too comfortable!
Why did you decide to pursue a M.S.L.?
For me it was primarily about continuing to learn. I had always wanted a postgraduate degree, mostly to challenge myself. When I finally let the door close on my dream of being a lawyer, I found the freedom to look for programs that would serve the career path I really wanted. The compliance field is filled with individuals with J.D.s, creating tough competition for jobs as you climb the ladder. I felt the M.S.L. program would give me the credentials I needed to get my foot in the door when applying for some of the higher-level roles.
Why did you choose Fordham Law?
The Fordham Law M.S.L. program was the only program of its kind that I initially found, and it caught my eye right away. From the flexible, online platform, to the professors—I felt this program had a lot to offer a student.
What made the Fordham M.S.L. program special and beneficial to you?
The curriculum was great in the sense that you could choose from so many electives on different topics. I loved that the format allowed for practical experience—mock investigations, creating slide decks for a board of directors, completing an actual risk assessment—it was really hands-on, which helped me feel like I was learning skills I was going to turn around and use.
I also served as the student representative for my cohort. This allowed me to meet a lot of students and help them on their journey as well as connect on a regular basis with the program leaders and give valuable feedback. I have made some great friendships through this program. I highly recommend students find a study group—I am not sure I would have survived without mine!
What was your favorite class in the program?
There were some great classes but if I had to pick one it would be Crisis Management with Richard Levick. Unfortunately, Professor Levick passed away shortly after I took his class. He was so involved in the program and truly cared about the students learning something and not just earning a grade. The skills learned in that class translated easily to everyday life.
Would you recommend the program to others?
Absolutely. You will learn foundational skills that will emphasize your on-the-job skills. Having a solid understanding of the “why” behind compliance and the basic tools to operate in that environment was incredibly helpful. The program is designed to be practical—you will use what you learn. Not to mention, networking at that level is invaluable!
The online Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) in Corporate Compliance program, which earns students 30 credits and can be completed in as few as 12 months, is designed specifically for non-lawyers who are interested in advancing their careers by learning about corporate compliance from a legal perspective. Learn more about the program and its three specializations.
