Jennifer Ruby
Jennifer G. Ruby, Esq. also affectionately known as Ruby Law
Indianapolis, IN USA
"At some point, you just have to have faith, let go, and go for it."
Career Roadmap
Jennifer's work combines: Entrepreneurship, Law, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Avon High School
Bachelor's Degree
Biology/Biochemistry (College of Science)
Purdue University
Graduate Degree
Master of Planning (O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs)
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Doctorate
Doctor of Jurisprudence (McKinney School of Law)
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Vocational
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a CEO/President and Lead Attorney:
Bachelor's Degree: Biology/Biochemistry (College of Science)
Graduate Degree: Master of Planning (O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs)
Doctorate: Doctor of Jurisprudence (McKinney School of Law)
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
My dad died when I was 5 from a heart attack. I thought I wanted to be a cardiovascular surgeon.
2.
My first college internship was with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), which made me realize I could do something else with my love of science and the environment.
3.
The State had a hiring freeze, so I had to work as a temporary employee at IDEM, while I worked toward my master and law degrees.
4.
I graduated from law school, and took a contract attorney position with the New Mexico Environment Department, while I took and passed the NM Bar. I also gained my AICP planning certification.
5.
My step-dad got sick and passed away. I took a job with the City of Indianapolis/Marion County to come back to Indiana for my mother.
6.
I moved to the Information Services Agency, the IT Department of the CIty and County as a Senior IT Planner, because I was not licensed to practice law in Indiana.
7.
I gained my license to practice law in Indiana, and opened a part time law practice, having caught the entrepreneurial bug while working as an independent contractor in New Mexico.
8.
I shifted my practice to full time operations. Then I added a husband and two children to my life. It's been a juggle ever since.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
You are too young. No one will take you seriously.
How I responded:
Keep trying, learning, and growing. You will show your value, and you will get older and have more skills than similarly situated people of your own age and older.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I was gifted, so I didn't realize my issues at the time. But, when I really hit my stride working, I realized how important learning how to learn and share that knowledge was. I wish I had understood that sooner, while I was supposed to be learning.