A Future Advocate for Justice
For Pre-Law Student Kobe Dock, a Passion for Advocacy Serves as Inspiration for a Career in International Law
Kobe Dock, a student at Touro University’s New York School of Career and Applied Studies (NYSCAS), was inspired to help others after growing up watching his father utilize his career in corporate law to advocate for those in need. Now a Law & Social Science major at NYSCAS, he is channeling that passion into building a future career in International Law. With a strong foundation in Jewish values and a drive to advocate for underserved communities, he is determined to use his education and expertise to protect and empower others.
Can you talk a bit about your background and what brought you to Touro NYSCAS?
I was born in Boston, but after moving around a few times as a kid, my family settled in Teaneck, New Jersey. I attended a yeshiva—a traditional Jewish educational institution—where I studied the talmud and Jewish law throughout high school.
My father is a lawyer, and while growing up, I always saw him carrying around heavy legal agreements and mounds of documents. As I got older, I realized that law was so much more than undecipherable words on never-ending stacks of paper; behind all those papers is a person who cannot advocate or represent themselves in a complex legal system alone. Lawyers can protect people without proper representation from exploitation and mistreatment. A simple drafted document or a single phone call from a competent lawyer can change someone’s future---from terminating a devastating business deal to saving a home from foreclosure.
After graduating as valedictorian of my high school class, I chose to enroll in Touro as I knew there would be strong academic opportunities here, as well as personalized support to help me advance my future career. The values at Touro NYSCAS align with the Jewish values I strongly believe in, and the school offers a flexible schedule that follows the Jewish calendar, which is convenient for me as well.
What is your dream career and why?
My dream career is to become an international lawyer. My passion to advocate for justice is strongly rooted in global issues. This includes helping underserved communities or defending international organizations from wrongful prosecution. Ultimately, I want to use my law degree to support and advocate for causes that transcend borders and will help future generations.
What skills have you learned at NYSCAS that you think will help you succeed in a legal career?
The greatest skill that I learned so far at Touro is how to effectively communicate with people from different backgrounds. Both the NYSCAS Times Square campus and its virtual learning platforms foster an environment of respect and empathy. This is not only reflected in the topics discussed in the classes themselves, but also in my interactions with my fellow students, who represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds, communities, and even countries. We all benefit from this type of environment, which helps us learn how to communicate with different kinds of people, while building strong bonds among us as classmates. I’m confident that the ability to communicate effectively, relate to, and understand a diverse group of colleagues and clients worldwide will be invaluable as I advance my career.
What’s one obstacle you’ve faced in your academic journey, and how did you overcome it?
I have always put a large amount of pressure on myself to succeed academically, and at times, I have struggled to overcome disappointing outcomes. In the past, getting a lower-than-expected grade on a test or a paper would deplete my motivation to work towards future success. However, I was able to begin turning setbacks into comebacks when I changed my viewpoint. Rather than viewing setbacks as failures, I looked at them as stepping stones. Through embracing them as part of the learning process, I developed a healthier and more determined approach to navigating future challenges. Over time, I have learned that success is not about avoiding failure, but about responding to it with optimism and a renewed dedication to growth.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
As someone who is committed to working hard, I see myself advancing in the legal field while upholding my morals and advocating for what I care about. I hope to work for an organization that fights, advocates for, and protects justice throughout the world for anyone in need of legal assistance.