A Career Reimagined: Mark Young’s Pivot from Broadcasting to Law
Twenty-two years ago, Mark Young graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in political science and a plan to attend law school. But a part-time job in television sparked what became a two-decade career behind the scenes in local news. When the industry began to shift, and the pandemic forced a personal reckoning, Young returned to a question he had shelved years earlier: What kind of impact did he want to make? That question led him to the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, where he found the structure and support he needed to pursue something more. He is now building a second career shaped by purpose and momentum.
Leaving television was not just a career decision. It meant stepping away from a path he had spent decades building in Memphis. Returning home to Nashville, Arkansas, Young moved in with his parents to regroup and prepare for the LSAT as his first step toward law school. “If I didn’t do it then, in my early 40s, I never would,” he said. “It was time to figure out how I could help people and help Arkansas in a more lasting way.”
Young had always been self-reliant. Even while preparing for law school, he worked full time at a Little Rock television station. When it came time to apply, the decision was easy. Bowen offered the flexibility and support he needed through its part-time evening program, along with proximity to family and access to Arkansas’s legal and political center. “It was designed for working adults like me,” he said. “I could still pay my bills, still support myself, and get the education I had put off for years.”
Starting law school in his 40s was not easy. Young had not been in a classroom in two decades, and the adjustment was steep. “I didn’t do very well my first two semesters,” he said. Learning how law school worked — how professors taught, how exams were written, how answers were expected — took time. But with guidance from faculty and steady support from his classmates, he began to find his footing. Each semester, his confidence grew. “If I didn’t understand something, I could go to a professor and ask. That made a big difference.”
Throughout law school, Young balanced a heavy workload. At any given time, he held at least three jobs, including his long-standing role as a Broadcast Technical Director for the Memphis Grizzlies and Memphis Tigers. He made regular trips to Memphis for games while also launching a mobile notary service in Central Arkansas. Over the years, he worked for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, clerked at the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, and joined the Municipal League as an inquiry clerk. “I stayed busy, but I always found a way to make it work,” he said.
It was at the Arkansas Municipal League that Young found a sense of clarity. As an inquiry clerk, he fielded questions from mayors, city attorneys and council members across the state, helping them navigate legal questions and access resources. For someone who grew up in a small town and saw firsthand the challenges rural communities face, the work felt deeply personal. “Small towns are the backbone of Arkansas,” he said. “Getting to support them, even in small ways, has been incredibly rewarding.”
As Young gained momentum, law school became more than just a professional turning point. It was a place of connection and growth. “It’s harder to make good friends as you get older,” he said. “But with our part-time class, we bonded almost immediately.” He found support in study groups and peer conversations, especially during challenging courses. Each semester, he improved, not just in grades but in confidence. One of his favorite spots on campus was the Bowen Mart, where he often spent time with Harley Anderson-Croot, a close friend and fellow student who worked behind the counter. He also served as a student senator and Phi Alpha Delta fundraising chair, finding ways to represent and advocate for other part-time students like him.
Young graduates from the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law this weekend, completing his degree in just three and a half years. He took courses every summer and maximized his course load each semester to get ahead.
Looking forward, Young is keeping his options open. He recently completed the Mediation Clinic and will soon be certified as a mediator in Arkansas. He continues to run his notary business and holds a real estate license, alongside years of media and legal experience. “I will always have a backup plan,” he said. “And a backup to that backup plan.” Whether he continues in municipal law or takes another path, Young is prepared and grounded in a commitment to help Arkansas communities thrive. For other working professionals considering law school later in life, his advice is simple: “Don’t be afraid to try it. You can always figure it out.”