Before coming to UCSD, Wheatfall spent nine months in athletics compliance at the University of San Diego, where she drafted forms pertaining to NCAA rules and regulations on coaches' conduct, player participation in multiple sports and tickets for volunteer coaches, among other duties.

While pursuing her Juris Doctor at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, Wheatfall spent 2010 and 2011 as a research assistant to professor Anastasia Boles, whom she drafted comprehensive briefs for. She analyzed and collected useful social science research relating to hostile work environment litigation. Wheatfall was a student member of the American Bar Association and the Sports Law Society as well as President of the Black Law Students Association.

During the summer of 2011, Wheatfall was a legal intern for the American Federation of Government Employees.

While in college at Oregon, Wheatfall worked as a family programs and commencement assistant in the Office of Student Life (2007-08). In September of 2008, she began a 10-month stint as an administrative assistant for Arnold Gallagher Saydack Percell Roberts and Potter, P.C. in Eugene, Ore., where she produced and managed the in-depth legal file and record system and carried out general clerical tasks.

Also at Oregon, Wheatfall was a cheerleader for the Ducks, a former secretary and member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority and President of the Black Student Union.

Wheatfall earned her Bachelor's Degree in political science and ethnic studies from Oregon in 2008 and received her Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2012.