National Jurist - March 2009 - (Page 41) CAREERHOTLINE How to prepare for life after law school Q: How can I make sure I manage my finances well as a new lawyer? A: First, establish a budget as soon as possible, said Dean Richard Matasar of New York Law School. Once you’re hired, your employers can tell you how much you can expect to take home every pay period. Figure out what your income is going to be, then figure out what your monthly bills are. Reconcile your income and your expenses to be sure you aren’t spending more than you earn. Most importantly, stick to your budget and live within your means. Trim your expenses wherever you can, said Matasar. Live at home or with roommates, bag your lunches, don’t misuse credit cards and only buy things that you can afford. Also seek help. Take advantage of resources your employer or your law school may offer you. Some employers offer financial management tools and formal or informal programs. Many law schools also offer exit counseling where a financial counselor can help you assess your debt load and provide you with information and resources for managing your finances. Some law schools also provide formal financial management programs and tips, such as Suffolk University Law School’s Get $mart program. Q: Help: I’m about to graduate and have no job lined up. What should my next steps be? A: It’s a tough market for new associates this year, and things can look bleak if you’re unfortunate enough not to have a job at graduation. Here are some tips to get you started: • Come up with a concrete job search plan and put everything in writing. Assess your strengths, interests and career goals. Pinpoint potential employers and come up with a schedule for your job search, detailing how much time you’ll spend accomplishing related tasks, such as attending networking events or sending out resumes. Then, hold yourself to your plan. • If you haven’t already done so, contact your law school’s career services office as soon as possible. Present your job search plan to a career counselor and talk with the counselor about your options, your resume, cover letter and writing samples and leads and recommendations. • Stay flexible. Keep an open mind about potential job opporMarch 2009 By Ursula Furi-Perry, Esq. ADVICE tunities — you may have to reconsider your first preferences and consider various new options. Don’t be afraid to take a job that isn’t everything you’ve ever wanted, and use every job as an opportunity to learn, grow and mold your career. • If you can afford it, consider applying for an unpaid position in your area of interest, to gain experience while you continue searching for paid positions. • Network. Go out and meet lawyers, attend seminars and social functions and build your professional relationships. • Be proactive about your job search. Stay informed about the field and about employment opportunities, and don’t wait for a job offer to find you. Q: I’m studying abroad for the summer. How can I best use the experience to my advantage in furthering my future career? A: Employers view study abroad experience as a positive addition to any resume, said Patrick Kelly, vice dean and director of the Nairobi International Law Institute at Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Del. In an increasingly globalized legal environment, study abroad experience conveys that a student understands other cultures, Dean Kelly explains. So, to best make use of your time during the summer, don’t live like a tourist. Take the opportunity to meet lawyers and others in your host country, and get to know the legal culture and environment. Consider doing a foreign internship during your summer, which will expose you to the legal process and provide you with additional valuable experience. Also remember that you need to stay professional during your study abroad experience. For many students, studying abroad may present the first opportunity to truly be on their own — but that doesn’t mean professionalism goes out the window. In fact, Dean Kelly adds that in many countries, law students, professors and lawyers may be used to a more formal environment than American students. Take advantage of the coursework that’s offered. For example, if you’re interested in international transactional law, take a course in that area during your summer to get exposed to the subject. Got a career question? Submit to Ursula at furiperry@verizon.net THE NATIONAL JURIST 41
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