Following in her grandfather’s footsteps at the University of South Carolina was a bit of a surprise for Kaitlyn Byrne. The recent graduate of the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences grew up in a family full of Clemson fans. A lucky tour from her grandfather, a USC alumnus, won her over, and she enrolled as a political science major with a minor in dance in 2021.  

A lifelong dancer, Byrne was set on her path towards turning that passion into her career. Things changed when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down much of the country. Byrne started to consider her place in the dance world, and that’s when she shifted her focus towards a future in law and criminal justice. She swapped her dance minor to criminal justice and rededicated herself to her education.  

But to hear her tell it, she ended up exactly where she was meant to be.  

“I could not imagine my four years of college elsewhere and would not be the person I am today without that journey,” she says. 

While at USC, Byrne participated in the McCausland College’s mentoring night, an evening that connects students with alumni and members of the community to help students develop critical career skills. She credits the program with helping her build a network of professional contacts and bolstered her confidence in the decision to change paths and pursue her education.  

“I will always stress how important mentorship is for your professional development,” she says.  “Actively being a part of the USC community makes your professional journey less stressful and makes you feel seen.” 

Byrne now attends law school in North Carolina, where she’s putting her background in justice and policy to good use. She hopes to work for the state as a public prosecutor with aspirations to join the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. 

In our conversation, Byrne shares more about her experience at the McCausland College and how her mentors boosted her confidence and skill level.

Q: What first drew you to study political science and criminal justice at USC? 

I'm an empath. I like to see all points of view while trying to stay open minded, and I wanted to learn about the psychology behind crime while also learning about policy. I worked as a sexual assault advocate and saw how violence was perpetuated, so I also wanted to understand the people committing crimes. At the same time, I was interested in local government, having worked at the State House for several years. Working with lawyers there sparked my interest in law.  

Q: How did you first hear about McCausland Mentoring Night, and what made you want to attend?  

I heard about the mentoring night through my University 401 course. This class prepared us to transition from college into the professional world. Professor Ashley Byrd-White constantly reminded us that connections and mentorships were key to success. I came to college with no connections to any professional world other than dance and with hard work and attending these events, I secured two jobs while at USC. I also got a whole new perspective on my career. The more relationships with USC alumni that you have, the stronger your support system will be. I never wanted to pass up a mentorship opportunity. 

Q: Was there a particular mentor or conversation that stood out to you? If so, why?  

I went into mentorship night wanting to talk to the legal professionals who were there. Surprisingly, the conversation that was most inspiring was somebody not in the legal profession at all. Vida Mingo, a biologist, was at the first table I joined when I arrived. What was so inspiring was that without hesitation he molded our conversation to combine his interests and mine. He told me that pursuing a career in law can apply to almost any field — that lawyers are needed everywhere — and he encouraged me to think beyond criminal law and consider a career in areas I hadn’t even thought about. 

Q: Did the event give you something you weren’t expecting — whether advice, encouragement or a new perspective?  

What I gained from this event is that growth will never happen with a close-minded mentality. It is okay to be 100% sure what field you want to go in and what you want to pursue for the rest of your life, but that shouldn't hinder you from exploring other paths. Learning from people with different backgrounds will shape you into a versatile professional.  

Q: Can you give an example of a decision you’ve made or an opportunity you’ve pursued that was shaped by your experience at Mentoring Night?  

Mentoring night encouraged me to get to know every single one of my classmates and professors because each of their stories could inspire my own professional path. Learning from others is one of life’s greatest gifts. Mentoring night showed me the importance of community and to never take those opportunities for granted.