Kayla Bussert

2020 Graduate
Major: Law & Society
Minors: Arabic Language and Culture, Islamic Studies

Hi Everyone! My name is Kayla Bussert and I am from South Elgin, Illinois, and I graduated with majors in Law & Society and minors in Arabic Language and Culture and Islamic Studies here at Purdue!

Outside of being a Dean’s Ambassador for the College of Liberal Arts, I was a member of the Purduettes, which is an ensemble through Purdue Musical Organizations where I served on leadership. I was also a co-director for the Purdue Ambassador Network through the Office of Admissions and I worked as a legal secretary for the local prosecutor’s office.

I was originally a transfer student, having transferred to Purdue my sophomore year. At my last institution, I really struggled to find my home on campus. The reason why I chose to transfer to Purdue was because several of my relatives came here and I loved each time I was on campus visiting and seeing football games. The College of Liberal Arts also had so many opportunities for its students, including internships, study abroad opportunities, and resources for pre-law students, as I am interested in pursuing a legal career. I also found my home through Purduettes and Purdue Musical Organizations, where I was able to sing, dance, and continue my love for performing while pursuing my degree. 

I also had the amazing opportunity to study abroad for a summer in Morocco for Arabic Language and Culture. I was able to take Purdue courses in Africa and immerse myself in a culture completely different from my own and practice my Arabic skills. I was able to obtain scholarships from the Study Abroad office as well as the College of Liberal Arts, and with these resources I was able to go. I was so grateful to be able to have this opportunity!

I also had a semester-long internship at the local courthouse as a judicial intern. I worked with judges and observed hearings and trials, learned to write basic court orders, and did some legal research for the judges. From this amazing opportunity, I was recommended to the prosecutor’s office. I worked there full-time the summer before my senior year and then I worked there part-time while taking classes. I learned how to build cases and how to work in a document management system and several other administrative tasks to assist the prosecutors. I learned so much about the court system through these two positions, and it helped me decide that this was the right career path for myself.

I also worked as a co-director for the Purdue Ambassador Network through the Office of Admissions. Along with three other co-directors and a supervisor, we oversaw the entire Ambassador Network and the several different events the Office of Admissions put on throughout the year. I gave tours to prospective students and their families as well as working the front desk for the Office of Admissions. Through this position and being a Dean’s Ambassador for the College of Liberal Arts, I learned I loved speaking with prospective students and sharing my own experiences of all Purdue has to offer.

I absolutely loved my time here, but I had so many amazing opportunities, and this campus helped shape the strong, independent person I am today. For that, I am ever grateful, ever true. Boiler Up!