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Discovering a fulfilling career path and obtaining the education to pursue that path can be a multi-year journey for many people. With the assistance of the University of Missouri School of Law LLM in Dispute Resolution program, Mamello Victoria Kanapi, ’24, managed to do both in less than two years.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mamello began her higher education journey in Cape Town where she earned her law degree at the University of the Western Cape. While finishing her degree in South Africa, she applied for a scholarship program to earn her LLM at the University of Missouri. After just missing out on the scholarship, she began working an internship at for the ombudsman for long term insurance.
“I fell in love with the work and finally found the career path I wanted to pursue further, which is a career in insurance disputes,” Mamello said. “Two months into my internship, I was then informed that the opportunity for the scholarship had opened again. Mizzou offered it to me, and I accepted. I knew that obtaining my masters in dispute resolution would advance my chances of a career in insurance disputes.”
While moving overseas to a new country was a daunting task, Mamello says the support she received from faculty and staff at Mizzou Law made the change in scenery worth it.
“Moving from my home country to Missouri was not an easy transition for me,” Mamello said. “However, I felt so welcomed. The students approached me and interacted with me and enjoyed hearing about my experiences as a foreign student and stories about my home country. The professors were so kind, patient and understanding, they even extended help outside of their professional capacities. They made studying for my degree a beautiful enjoyable experience.”
Beyond her studies, Mamello felt like the community at Mizzou Law was one-of-a-kind.
“I loved how the university encouraged diversity among students and faculty and further created a student-first and friendly environment that felt like a home away from home.”
When asked what at advice she would give others considering a move to Missouri to study dispute resolution, Mamello says to jump in with both feet.
“Go for it. It’s the best academic decision you will ever make and plus its very satisfying to tell people you have a master’s degree.”
Mamello is currently mentoring a small group of first year female law students while pursuing career opportunities in the financial sector.