From Nutrition Facts to Legal Acts

About

Name	Dorothy Dinh Chan
Title	Juris Doctor Candidate & Content Creator & Social Media Strategist
Company	Lincoln Alexander School of Law & Self-Employed
Grad year	2021
Program	Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition, and Health
Major	Food, Nutrition and Health

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Dorothy is a 2021 graduate of the Food, Nutrition, and Health (FNH) program who is now on her way to becoming a lawyer. She was awarded the Staffieri Family Scholarship in Law (Women in STEM) at Lincoln Alexander School of Law. This scholarship recognizes her commitment to both law and STEM fields – two things she is very passionate about.

While working hard as a current law student, Dorothy also maintains her work in content creation. Balancing both of these roles enables her to leverage her analytical skills and her creativity. In this profile, Dorothy reflects on how her time at LFS helped her develop the skills she relies on to thrive in her work today.

Why did you decide to pursue law school? What’s it been like so far? Do you have any tips for students interested in this path?

I decided to pursue law at a turning point in my career. After earning my undergraduate degree in FNH, I considered pursuing a PhD and also built a content creation business I nearly took on full-time. But I realized I wanted a career with greater impact. After speaking with several lawyers who encouraged me to consider a career in law, I applied to law school. 

Law school has been both challenging and rewarding. I’ve taken on leadership roles, including serving on the board of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (Ontario Chapter), which has helped me grow my network and secure summer opportunities. One of the most defining parts of my experience has been becoming a new mom during law school, a challenge that has strengthened my time management skills and clarified my commitment to a purpose-driven legal career. This summer, I’m working at the Ministry of Community and Social Services’ Family Responsibility Office, where I support the enforcement of child and spousal support orders.

For those considering law, I highly recommend seeking out internships, volunteer roles, and conversations with legal professionals to gain clarity on your interests and build connections in the field.

What do you like about what you do? How did your FNH degree help you to get where you are today?

As a law student, I appreciate the intellectual challenge of analyzing complex legal issues, while my work as a content creator allows me to leverage my creative skills to engage audiences. Both roles require strong communication skills—whether it’s drafting memos or crafting compelling social media content. My LFS degree directly relates to these roles by giving me a strong foundation in research, problem-solving, and systems thinking. The interdisciplinary approach of LFS has helped me approach challenges from multiple perspectives—whether in legal analysis or crafting targeted content strategies.

Are there any resources you would recommend for students who are looking to enter your industry and/or profession?

For students entering the legal profession, I highly recommend joining professional organizations like Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL), which offers networking opportunities and mentorship. For content creation, I recommend learning how to use video editing tools like CapCut, which is a user-friendly app perfect for creating high-quality, engaging content on social media

What was one of your most meaningful experiences at UBC?

One of my most meaningful experiences at UBC was working as a summer research assistant. This role allowed me to apply the theoretical knowledge I gained in the classroom to research projects. I had the opportunity to collaborate with faculty members, contribute to ongoing studies, and hone my analytical and problem-solving skills. This experience not only deepened my passion for science and research but also taught me valuable skills in data analysis and critical thinking, which have been instrumental in my journey.

Thinking about where you are now, compared to where you were in your undergraduate FNH degree, what advice do you have for your younger self?

My advice to my past self or a current LFS student would be to try as many different things as possible and stay open to new opportunities. If I had explored more diverse fields earlier on, I might have realized my passion for law sooner. It’s easy to get focused on a particular path, but sometimes the value lies in stepping outside your comfort zone and experimenting with different roles and industries.

What inspired you to study at LFS for your undergraduate degree? What did you like about your degree?

As a first-generation student, I have always been fascinated with science, health, and nutrition. I chose the Faculty of Land and Food Systems because it offered a unique interdisciplinary approach that combined these interests, allowing me to explore the complex relationships between food systems and human health.

What I enjoyed most about the program was that I was able to develop strong research skills, which I’ve since leveraged as both an entrepreneur and a law student. For example, I applied my research skills to conduct research on social media analytics and trends, and in doing so, I was able to grow my TikTok community to 69k followers in less than 6 months.

What has been the value of having an LFS degree?

The value of having an LFS degree lies in its interdisciplinary approach, which has equipped me with a unique skill set that I can apply to a variety of fields. The FNH program sharpened my ability to think critically and solve complex problems. Furthermore, the research skills I developed have been invaluable in both my legal studies and entrepreneurial work.