My name is Ram Dixit, and I am a 23-year-old American with a Bachelor's in Information Science with a concentration in Information Security from the University of South Florida, Magna Cum Laude. Due to COVID-19, I primarily attended college online to pursue my undergraduate degree; however, I utilized my free time to gain experience in the workforce. I am a paralegal at Dixit Law Firm and plan to attend law school next year. I have worked as a Tae Kwon Do instructor, a solar sales specialist, an IT support technician, a legal assistant, and a paralegal. Working in such radically different industry verticals allowed me to develop skills in communication, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, and other areas that enabled me to cultivate the mindset of a hardworking, driven individual.

Working as a Taekwondo instructor for most of my teen years built many positive foundational habits that greatly influenced my professional character. While I learned many lessons from my years as a black belt instructor, the most impactful and memorable story from my time there was when Brandon first joined the school. Brandon was a shy, overweight middle schooler whose parents forced him onto the mat, hoping he would learn how to defend himself at school. In his first class, he ran to the corner, turned away from the rest of the students, and began to sob. Our headmaster, understanding it would be challenging to teach him without disrupting the rest of the class, assigned him to me. I attempted to teach him how to kick a target, but he met me with a cold shoulder. I took a knee next to him and began to talk about nothing at all. Legos, Cartoons, his favorite food… anything to lower his guard and get him to tell me why he didn’t want to participate in class.

Finally, he told me that the kids at school hit him and called him names, and he didn’t want to do something weird like “kicking a target” because he worried the other kids in class would make fun of him. At that moment, I understood what he needed, and I asked the headmaster to stop the class and have everyone look at Brandon. I told everyone that Brandon was about to do his first kick and to cheer for him. The class erupted, everyone stomping their feet to cheer for their peer, and Brandon understood that here, he wasn’t weird; he was a student of Tae Kwon Do. His peers supported him because they shared a common interest, and all he had to do was show them he wanted to be there, too. I directed him to kick the target, and the whole class cheered when he did. From then on, Brandon always smiled and never missed a class.

Not every student had the same needs as Brandon, though. Some students required discipline and a firm hand to be positive class members. Through my many experiences with students of all ages, I have learned how to identify and meet the needs of people and effectively guide those in my care. Being a leader means creating a positive environment where everyone feels welcome and ready to give their all to the common goal.

I further developed my interpersonal and communication skills in my position as a solar sales specialist for Momentum Solar. I began with their intense 4-week sales training course. Completion was a condition to be given company leads and sent into the field. Of the 40 people I started with, I was one of eight who could absorb the two-hour pitch, prove they had a solid understanding of the product, and have the confidence to deal with and overcome objections effectively. I was sent into the homes of people across Florida. I practiced building rapport with people, connecting personally to their problems, and convincing them that I was truly there to help. Though I was successful in my sales career, I had the opportunity to pursue a career in IT as an IT support technician. I seized the opportunity, as this job aligned with my degree, and I had gained everything I wanted from the sales experience.

My IT knowledge was limited, and the company I worked for was tiny, so I was sent to multiple businesses daily alone, but with basic training. My problem-solving skills were put to the test, but I quickly developed the ability to search for solutions to the common problems I’d encountered. Solutions to most problems facilitated a greater understanding of the technology I encountered, which allowed me to tackle more challenging tasks. In my time as an IT support technician, I learned how to troubleshoot fundamental technical issues around an office, set up, configure, and secure commercial networks for office buildings, set up phone lines and hardware for an office, configure servers for inter-company collaboration and file sharing, set up an NVR and connect CCTV cameras to it and the network via ethernet and coaxial cables, and install and configure access control technologies such as maglocks, card reader systems, and vehicle gates. When I again felt satisfied with the knowledge I had gained from this work experience, I decided to work for my father and become a lawyer.

In my legal field roles, I’ve collaborated closely with attorneys on trial preparation, drafted discovery requests, and managed client communications with both precision and empathy. I routinely research case law, organize exhibits, and ensure that every deadline is met, all while maintaining meticulous attention to detail. My proactive approach—anticipating needs, shouldering additional tasks, and working seamlessly with colleagues—led to my promotion from legal assistant to paralegal. This experience has provided me with a strong foundation in civil procedure and litigation strategy, reinforcing my commitment to delivering exceptional results for our clients.

I’m eager to bring my work ethic, technical acumen, and trial-work background to Stetson Law. I look forward to collaborating with faculty and peers, refining my advocacy skills, and making meaningful contributions to the vibrant Stetson community. Above all, I am excited to be a Stetson litigator.