National Jurist - February 2009 - (Page 45)

CAREERHOTLINE How to capture a potential employer’s attention Q: I’m starting to plan my summer. What are some options to consider? A: If you won’t end up in a typical summer associate position this year, you still have plenty of options for a successful summer that can ultimately advance your career. For example: • If you have the opportunity, consider using some of your federal work-study aid to work in a nonprofit or government setting and gain valuable experience, recommends Paula Zimmer, assistant dean and director of career services at Western New England College School of Law. • Get some international experience. Zimmer says you can work internationally or enroll in a summer study abroad program. Some programs may even include an international internship component. • If you can’t find a paying position, consider volunteering at a legal organization or in a related setting to gain practical experience. You can choose to volunteer part-time while working at a paying nonlegal position to make extra money. • Consider summer courses if you need or want to get ahead in your coursework or credits, but Zimmer adds that gaining practical experience is still your best bet for keeping yourself busy during the summer. By Ursula Furi-Perry, Esq. ADVICE you get into your second year, though, getting a job and making contacts become much more important, Chamberlain added. By the time you reach your third year, they become absolutely essential. So your work experience and networking should become exponentially important as you go through law school. Perhaps you can accept a paid internship or a part-time position that will better allow you to maintain good grades as well. Only you know the effect solid academics versus solid contacts will have on your future job prospects, and much of it also depends on what type of position you’ll be seeking when you graduate. Q: What do you think about using non-traditional and innovative methods to capture a potential employer’s attention? A: It depends on how innovative we’re talking. I recently read an article on a general job search website about “innovative” ways job seekers are seeking to stand out—including blogging, using music and graphics in their resumes or even wearing a “hire me” shirt to the interview. But are these methods ever acceptable in the legal field? Probably not. In many ways, the legal field is a pretty conservative profession, explains Beverly Bracker, director of career services at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Persistence, creativity and persuasion can capture a potential employer’s attention, but you should aim to project those qualities through professional networking. Blogging may be one “innovative” way to make you stand out among others, but only if you do it right. Skip personal blogs and write about professional issues instead, like developments in a practice area that interests you, or your experiences helping out with a student organization or studying the law abroad. Don’t use names, and remember to stay professional, respectful and positive in your blog posts. Q: With the contacts I’m making, I think working is worth the risk to my grades. What do you think? A: I agree that there has to be a balance between excelling academically and networking professionally while you’re in law school. But ultimately, all legal employers look at grades. When it comes to large law firms, candidates are hired almost solely on the basis of their academic performance, and even smaller firms and government employers care about grades greatly. That said, networking counts for a lot and making contacts is important. I checked with William Chamberlain, assistant dean and clinical assistant professor of law at the Center for Career Strategy & Advancement at Northwestern University School of Law for his take on your question. He agreed that as a first year, your focus should be your grades, and for the most part, the expectation for first year’s across the board is to focus solely on academics. Once February 2009 Got a career question? Submit to Ursula at furiperry@verizon.net THE NATIONAL JURIST 45

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of National Jurist - February 2009

National Jurist - February 2009 Contents Entertainment: Get Organized! The Firm Report: The Part-Time Lawyer News: Keeping Ethics Intact, New Law Deans, Latest Survey Findings Seattle Law Students Secure Asylum for East African Women Laptops in the Classroom Attorneys Dissect Health Law Law Students Contribute to 2008 Election Process Remembering Professors Obama and Biden Bar Exam Diaries How Well Balanced are Law Students? How to Choose a Summer Program Career Hotline Linguistic Gymnastics Disturbing the Peace

National Jurist - February 2009

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.