Ian Redmond

Ian Redmond is journalism alumni from Chicago, IL

Hometown: Chicago is my hometown, and I currently live in Durham, North Carolina.

Class of: December 2022

What is/was your profession? And, if applicable, what is your current title and employer?
I am a 3L [third-year law student] at Duke University School of Law. I serve as president of Duke University's Graduate and Professional Student Government. After I graduate in May 2026, I will work for Winston & Strawn as a litigation attorney in their Chicago headquarters.

Why did you choose to attend NIU?
I didn’t come from a family where college was a given. NIU was affordable, within reach and had a strong journalism program. It felt like a place where I could focus and prove myself. That’s what I needed at the time.

Did NIU's location near Chicago shape your professional opportunities and network? If so, how?
Absolutely. Being that close to Chicago meant I could chase opportunities without having to move across the country. I could network and see what the real world looked like while still being in school. It made everything feel more possible.

What role did NIU's alumni network play in your career journey?
It wasn’t something I leaned on while I was there, but seeing where other Huskies ended up gave me perspective. It reminded me that success didn’t have to look one way, and that people with similar backgrounds had already paved the way. However, as I plan to return to Chicago after graduating law school, I intend to become active in the alumni network.

How did NIU's emphasis on experiential learning (like internships, research and hands-on learning) impact your career readiness?
It helped me get comfortable doing the actual work. You can only learn so much from a textbook. The moments where I had to figure things out, manage deadlines or receive feedback, that’s what built my confidence.

Which NIU resources or centers (like career services or specific labs/facilities) were most valuable in preparing you for your current role?
I relied more on people than on programs. Professors who challenged me and saw something in me made the biggest difference. They held me to a higher standard, and that stuck with me more than any formal resource. Specifically, professors Jason Akst and Bill Cassidy.

How did learning alongside people from a variety of backgrounds influence your professional perspective?
It taught me to slow down and listen. Not everyone sees the world the same way, and that’s a good thing. I learned how to communicate clearly, stay grounded and move between different spaces while maintaining my voice.

What unique opportunities did your academic program provide that helped launch your career?
Journalism taught me how to get to the point, ask good questions and tell stories that matter. That skill set follows me everywhere, whether I’m working on a client's case or giving a speech. Being able to cut through the noise is underrated.

Describe a specific project, internship or class that directly impacted your professional success.
Working on investigative pieces in class showed me what it means to be accountable. You’re dealing with real facts, real people, real consequences. That sense of responsibility carried over into how I practice law and how I lead.

How did faculty mentorship or networking opportunities influence your career path?
What mattered most were the professors who didn’t let me coast. The ones who pulled me aside and said, “You’re capable of more than this.” That kind of push stays with you. They challenged me to think bigger, write sharper and take myself seriously. I wasn’t networking in the traditional sense, but I was building real relationships with people who saw my potential before I did. That gave me the confidence to keep going when the path wasn’t clear.

How did your education prepare you for your current role in ways you might not have expected?
It taught me how to adapt. I came in thinking it was all about learning a specific skill or chasing a certain job. But what NIU gave me was the ability to think critically under pressure, communicate clearly with different kinds of people and keep pushing when things don’t go according to plan. Those aren’t things you always see on a syllabus, but they show up every day in the work I do now.

What aspects of your student experience influenced your career path or proved most valuable in your professional life?
Having the space to explore different interests without being locked into one path too early made a difference. I came in thinking I’d stay in journalism forever, but the skills I picked up, investigating, writing and asking the right questions, ended up translating into law and public service. NIU gave me room to grow and figure out what I actually wanted, not just what I thought I was supposed to do.

What skills or perspectives did you develop at NIU that set you apart in your field?
NIU taught me how to think like a problem-solver. Whether it was breaking down a complex issue in class or navigating a job while juggling coursework, I got used to looking at challenges from multiple angles. That mindset stuck with me. In law and policy, being able to step back, assess a situation and find practical solutions is what separates you from the pack. It’s not just about having the answers, it’s about knowing how to approach the problem.

Looking back, what surprised you most about your educational journey?
How much it changed the way I saw myself. I started off just trying to get through it, earn the degree and find a stable job. But somewhere along the way, I started realizing I could lead, influence and actually shape things around me. That shift didn’t happen overnight, but it was real. I didn’t expect school to bring that out of me, but it did.

What advice would you give to someone considering NIU?
Don’t overlook it just because it’s not flashy. If you’re focused, hungry and willing to put in the work, NIU will give you everything you need to succeed and then some. You’ll have space to grow, make mistakes and figure out who you are. That kind of environment is more valuable than most people realize.

What advice would you give to a student who is currently attending NIU?
Take yourself seriously, even if nobody else does yet. Use this time to sharpen your skills, figure out what drives you and start building the habits that will carry you long after graduation. Don’t wait for permission to aim high. NIU gives you the platform, but it’s on you to make the most of it.

How would you describe the return on investment of your education?
NIU gave me the tools. Duke Law gave me the platform. NIU taught me how to think, write and navigate pressure without shortcuts. That foundation made Duke possible. And at Duke, I was able to refine those skills in a high-stakes environment and build a network that will carry through the rest of my career. The return is bigger than one job or title, it's access, options and credibility I can take anywhere.

How did your education prepare you for changes in your industry?
It taught me how to adjust without losing focus. I learned to think critically, communicate clearly and stay calm when the situation shifts. Law, like any industry, is always evolving, with new policies, new technologies and new norms. What set me up for that wasn’t just the content of the education, but the mindset. I got used to figuring things out as they came, which makes change feel less like a threat and more like an opportunity.

What aspects of your education continue to benefit you in your career progression?
The ability to break down complex ideas and communicate them clearly still pays off every day. That started at NIU, especially in journalism, learning how to get to the point, ask the right questions and tell a story that makes sense to people who aren’t experts. That same skill carries over into legal writing, public speaking and leadership. No matter how far I go, that foundation stays relevant.

How has your degree helped you adapt to new opportunities and challenges?
It gave me range. I didn’t walk away with just one narrow skill, I left with the ability to learn fast, think critically and adjust when things change. That’s helped me move across spaces without feeling out of place. Each new challenge feels more manageable because I’ve already been through the process of figuring things out with limited direction. That came from my education.

What made you decide to complete this survey and share your NIU story with other Huskies?
Not everybody comes to college with a roadmap or connections. I didn’t. NIU was where I started figuring things out, and I think it’s important for students, especially first-gen or non-traditional students, to know that success doesn’t have to look a certain way. If my story helps even one person feel like they belong or that it’s possible, then it’s worth sharing.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your NIU Huskie story?
NIU showed me that where you start doesn’t have to define where you finish. I came in just trying to build a future for myself, and I left with the confidence to lead, to speak up and to aim higher than I ever thought I could. If NIU could do that for me, it can do it for anyone willing to show up and put in the work.