Though James Konopka has travelled to archaeological digs in Mexico, Siberia, and Poland - to name a few - he never could have imagined the journey his BAH in anthropology (UAlberta '02) would take him on just years later.
While completing his undergraduate degree, Konopka's passion for the law was sparked when he began to study forensic anthropology. This unexpected interest in forensics led him to contemplate a career in law enforcement.
Two years after finishing his degree, he began working as a Team Leader Peace Officer for Alberta Health Services (AHS), where he trained other peace officers and ensured the safety of the public, staff and patients.
Konopka held this title for nine years before deciding it was time to move on.
"I reached a point where I didn't want to be doing hands-on law enforcement anymore," he said, adding that it was around this time he began to consider law school.
He said that his job could result in injuries, something he didn't want to continue to risk.
The father of four - three boys and one girl ranging from ages nine to 13 - started working for AHS again in 2012 as an Auxiliary Officer Safety Instructor for Northern Alberta, training new recruits and certifying existing peace officers in the use of force and control tactics.
Now in his second year at UAlberta Law, Konopka is still employed in this role today, though he said he doesn't take many shifts during the school year because his schedule is full.
That schedule - which includes volunteering as the external chair of the student articling committee, treasurer of the Alberta Law Review and Student Legal Services - is about to get even busier.
Konopka is currently in the process of finding an article, and is also participating in this year's Kawaskimhon Moot at the University of Calgary, where he will be representing the Métis Nation of Quebec.
Though Konopka said he is still figuring out exactly which area of law he hopes to practice, he said it was his undergraduate degree that opened up opportunities and an interest in Aboriginal law.
"I might not have been interested in Aboriginal law if I hadn't taken anthropology," he said, adding that he also believes his undergraduate degree made him a better writer.
It's safe to say Konopka's degree opened him up to many opportunities, exposing a passion that led him to UAlberta Law.