After graduating from Pine Crest, Jocelyn Absher ’11, better known as Joy, attended Florida State University where she began studying international affairs. “About halfway through my degree program, I decided to also work toward a business degree,” said Joy. “I was able to earn both degrees in four and a half years, which was quite a feat!”
Knowing that her next stop was law school, Joy began studying for the LSAT while interning in the Florida Senate. “It was a unique opportunity where I learned a lot about politics from the ground up,” she said. She soon earned herself a full-time position as a legislative aide at the senate where she worked until she received exciting news.
“I received a scholarship to attend the Washington College of Law at American University,” she said. So, she resigned from her post at the Senate and moved to Washington, D.C. where, in addition to her studies, she took on leadership positions with three law-focused groups.
“When the pandemic happened, I was looking for opportunities to get more involved,” Joy said. “I made strong connections through networking activities and professional events and was able to join the International Trade and Investment Law Society and the European Law Association as the President, while also serving as the Editor-in-Chief of “The Arbitration Brief,” a school publication. These activities aligned with my interests in international law and I learned a lot. I realized that arbitration is a niche area of law that isn’t focused on very much in the United States because we use the common law system.”
At this time, Joy began looking abroad to increase her international experience and take a deeper dive into arbitration. “I applied to the Bucerius Law School in Hamburg, Germany and was fortunate to receive a scholarship to join their master's program in law with a specialization in arbitration,” she explained. “I moved to Hamburg and spent a little over a year learning about the European Union courts and civil law systems. I joined a dual master’s program that allowed me to work toward both a law and an international business degree simultaneously. The experience postured me to work well in international business law, which is what I would like to continue pursuing.”
Reflecting on her years at Pine Crest, Joy credits her work ethic to her 14 years as a student. “As a student, I was involved with cheerleading,” she said. “I have fond memories of our coach Ms. Blackwell and just loved the cheer program. I was co-captain for two years and made such great friends—some of whom were in my grade and others who were not.”
“I have known Dr. Markham since pre-kindergarten and she has remained a role model for me. It has been inspiring to see her become the school’s President and I appreciate being able to see a woman in that role.”
When asked about the teachers who sparked her interest in international work, Joy credits her world languages teachers. “I had great language teachers who showed me the practicality of speaking two languages,” she said. “I speak German and intermediate Spanish and am now learning French. My teachers impressed upon me the importance of connecting with people in their native language and having an understanding of their cultures. This has been beneficial to me in particular because when you deal with professionals from around the world, for them to see you making the effort to speak their language or understand their culture helps to develop trust and strong partnerships.”
“The work ethic I learned as a student at Pine Crest has taken me far,” Joy continued. “I was a diligent student with several interests and was able to manage heavy workloads. I think that the structure and educational support that Pine Crest provided me then has helped me to flourish now.”
Returning to the United States last spring, Joy readied herself to take the bar exam. “I scored high enough to transfer into any jurisdiction,” she shared excitedly. Now, newly bar-certified and living in Washington, D.C., Joy is looking for an opportunity to work with the Commerce Department or a private international trade law firm.
“One of my professional goals is to delve deeper into our domestic markets and find ways to improve relations for business internationally,” she said. “The United States is an attractive place for many businesses and that excites me about this field. I would like the opportunity to work both with the Commerce Department and for an international law firm. I want to help facilitate commerce and improve trust in the industry. There is a lot of reservation and distrust in the process and arbitration allows for a neutral platform to combat that. I look forward to helping educate different entities on why the United States is a great choice for business and trade while also making arbitration more common. Additionally, there is a very small population of women in the field and that is a glass ceiling I am interested in cracking.”
After a recent visit to South Florida, Joy says she looks forward to one day moving back. “I want to stay in D.C. for a few years but I am missing Florida. When I was in town and had the chance to visit Pine Crest, I fell in love with it all over again. I hope to eventually send my own kids to Pine Crest when the time comes, where they too can learn the importance of hard work and being globally connected!”