3 answers
lydia
Student
Ann Arbor, Michigan
15
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What is something you wish you did to prepare for looking for a job in law?
#law #job
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3 answers
Desiree Giler Mann
Attorney
166
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Desiree’s Answer
Hi Lydia -
The things I wished I did:
(1) start looking sooner! The job search in law school is very different than for undergrad. Many law students get (paid) summer internships at law firms - often called "summer associates" - between their first and second years, or more commonly between their second and third years in law school. Summer associates get to learn what the job is like and, if they work well at the firm, may get job offers at the end of the summer. Don't wait until the last semester of law school, when you'll have more limited options....
(2) using my network! Once I had a job lined up and started telling people about it, so many said to me, "Oh, I didn't know you were looking, I could have introduced you to...." Just because my law school status and job search were my focus, didn't mean that anyone else knew. I am very happy with how my career path unfolded, but I really underestimated all the people who could have helped me along the way.
Best things I did:
(1) I took a few years to work in the "real world" between my undergraduate degree and starting law school. That was important for me to identify what I wanted from law school and how I would use my degree once I graduated. It wasn't hypothetical or something I saw in TV/movies, rather it was the sort of job I'd seen people do first hand professionally. It demystified the practice of law, helped me see the variety of law practices and allowed me to focus on law school as a step in a broader career path. Also, it helped me better afford law school.
(2) I followed the advice of an older attorney: get the biggest, best law firm job you can, because from there you can do anything - stay in the big firm, move to a smaller firm, move in-house, move to govnt, etc. It's the platform from which all other options are open. (Unless you are offered a judicial clerkship - which is very prestigious and for which most big law firms will defer your job offer until the clerkship is complete.)
Start your job search towards the end of Year 1 law school
Use your network
Consider if taking time between undergrad and law school will help you
Seek the biggest, best law firm job you can get right out of law school, even if you eventually want to practice solo, at a small firm, in govnt.
The things I wished I did:
(1) start looking sooner! The job search in law school is very different than for undergrad. Many law students get (paid) summer internships at law firms - often called "summer associates" - between their first and second years, or more commonly between their second and third years in law school. Summer associates get to learn what the job is like and, if they work well at the firm, may get job offers at the end of the summer. Don't wait until the last semester of law school, when you'll have more limited options....
(2) using my network! Once I had a job lined up and started telling people about it, so many said to me, "Oh, I didn't know you were looking, I could have introduced you to...." Just because my law school status and job search were my focus, didn't mean that anyone else knew. I am very happy with how my career path unfolded, but I really underestimated all the people who could have helped me along the way.
Best things I did:
(1) I took a few years to work in the "real world" between my undergraduate degree and starting law school. That was important for me to identify what I wanted from law school and how I would use my degree once I graduated. It wasn't hypothetical or something I saw in TV/movies, rather it was the sort of job I'd seen people do first hand professionally. It demystified the practice of law, helped me see the variety of law practices and allowed me to focus on law school as a step in a broader career path. Also, it helped me better afford law school.
(2) I followed the advice of an older attorney: get the biggest, best law firm job you can, because from there you can do anything - stay in the big firm, move to a smaller firm, move in-house, move to govnt, etc. It's the platform from which all other options are open. (Unless you are offered a judicial clerkship - which is very prestigious and for which most big law firms will defer your job offer until the clerkship is complete.)
Desiree recommends the following next steps:
Edward Overtree
Senior Counsel
57
Answers
Pennsylvania, PA
Updated
Edward’s Answer
I wish I had taken more math classes. Law and math are both communications by abstract symbols
Jorie Bagnato
Lawyer
11
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Jorie’s Answer
Start looking for summer associate positions right away during your first year. Most firms conduct interviews and pick their summer associates by January. In my experience, the schools don't always do enough to encourage this.
Also, get involved with the county and/or state bar association early on. A lot of them offer free or discounted membership to students. Try to attend their events or CLEs. It’s a great way to network and meet people who may end up hiring you someday. I wish I understood when I was in school how important networking would be. Again, this is something the schools may not focus on but it is vital to finding a job and being successful in this field.
Also, get involved with the county and/or state bar association early on. A lot of them offer free or discounted membership to students. Try to attend their events or CLEs. It’s a great way to network and meet people who may end up hiring you someday. I wish I understood when I was in school how important networking would be. Again, this is something the schools may not focus on but it is vital to finding a job and being successful in this field.