CHARTING A COURSE FOR SUCCESS : CAREER PLANNING FOR DAY STUDENTS

As a full-time law student, you are in an excellent position to explore the legal employment market and identify areas of interest because of the vast resources available to you. The Career Development Office encourages you to explore a variety of career opportunities during your three years at Suffolk to determine which one is the best fit for you. In addition, you should engage in all of the steps involved in effective career planning as you progress through law school.

• Perform self assessment (consider your skills, interests, values, and personality)
• Research the variety of opportunities available in the legal field
• Gain practical experience
• Focus on a particular area to strengthen relevant skills and demonstrate interest
• Develop effective job search strategies

It is important to keep in mind that the legal job market of the 21st century is competitive. We recommend that you keep informed of job openings, deadlines for recruiting, and career related programs through Spotlight, the Career Development Office newsletter that is available every Thursday afternoon, and through Symplicity, the CDO's online job posting resource.

During your first year, you should focus primarily on your coursework. Your GPA and class rank will remain somewhat consistent during the three years you spend in law school. These two criteria are critical pieces of information that many employers may use to evaluate you in the hiring process.

Attend a Career Development Office orientation program.  These sessions will give you the opportunity to meet the individuals in the CDO and will provide an overview of the programs and resources available through the office.

Attend the Fall Forum.   This annual career forum provides students with information on a variety of legal specialties and alternative careers and serves as an effective networking vehicle. Information on this exciting event is available at all CDO orientations.

Attend a resume workshop.   All first-year students are encouraged to attend a resume writing workshop before making an appointment with a career counselor. In doing so, you can minimize the time spent on your resume and spend more time engaged in career planning with your counselor. Resume workshops for first-year students usually begin in November.

Meet with a career counselor.   A counselor can assist you in brainstorming for employment options based on your interests and skills, creating an effective job search strategy, and fin-tuning your resume or cover letter.

Review the Summer Job Survey Binder. The binder contains descriptions of summer positions previously held by Suffolk students. This is an excellent resource for first-year students seeking summer employment possibilities.

Attend career-related panels.   The Career Development Office presents a number of career panels throughout the academic year. A schedule of programs including topics, dates and times is available in advance in order to help you plan your attendance.

Network.  Speak with family and friends about contacts they may have in the legal community. Networking is one of the most effective ways to learn about employment opportunities. We encourage you to take advantage of this strategy in your search for employment and information regarding the legal job market.

Your second year is the time to begin focusing on which area(s) of practice you find most interesting. The position you obtain for the summer may be an important factor in where you are employed after graduation. Several programs offered by the Career Development Office can help you define your focus, build a network and find a job. Some of these programs include:

Recruitment programs.  On- and off-campus recruitment programs take place in the fall and spring. The majority of participants are large law firms, and government and public-interest agencies. It is important to obtain a schedule of the interviewing dates and, more importantly, the dates when resumes must be submitted. You can get this information in the Career Development Office.

Career panels and workshops.   The CDO coordinates career panels through which many successful alumni return to Suffolk to speak to students about a variety of specialties within the legal field. In addition to these panels, the office regularly offers resume writing and job search strategy workshops.

Clinical programs and internships.   It is important to gain practical experience while you are a student. Suffolk's clinical programs and academic internships are an excellent way for you to gain training in a number of interesting legal settings.

www.pslawnet.org.   This national database of public sector employers provides up-to-date information on internships at federal and state agencies and public interest organizations. Students may generate a computer printout of internships based on legal specialty, geographic location and other relevant criteria.

Part-time law clerk positions.   Many firms have part-time (20 hours per week or less) positions available. These positions are posted on Symplicity.

Law Review, Transnational Law Review, Journal of High Technology Law, Moot Court Board, and other extra-circular activities.  Participation on a journal will enable you to hone your legal skills and help you build a strong resume. Law associations and other student groups can be a good source for networking within the field. For more information, speak with a career counselor, or consult the Suffolk University Law School Student Handbook.

Judicial clerkships.   A federal or state judicial clerkship provides the opportunity to clerk for a judge on a one- or two-year basis. Clerkships are available on both the trial and appellate level and afford an opportunity to explore varied areas of the law, while strengthening your research and writing skills. In addition, a judicial clerkship provides invaluable exposure to the court system. You must submit application materials to the federal and state courts by early September of your final year. The CDO houses a number of excellent judicial directories for your information. If you wish to learn more about clerkships, please see our chapter on judicial clerkships in this handbook.

Third-Year Students - Reaching the Finish Line

Your final year of law school is the time to position yourself for a full-time job offer. Your job search will run more smoothly if you have a clear sense of what type of position you are seeking and you can offer relevant skills and experiences. If you feel unsure of your focus, it may be beneficial to meet with a career counselor.

Many of the items listed in the career planning section for second-year students also apply to your third year, including participation in recruitment programs, career panels and workshops, clinical programs, and part-time clerkships.

Informational interviewing/Networking.   The Alumni Career Network, located online, contains the contact information on Suffolk Law alumni who are available to speak with you about their area of expertise.

Career counseling.   We encourage you to make an appointment with a career counselor. Together, you can gather ideas and identify resources that will help you to develop an effective job search strategy and research prospective employers.

Mock interviewing.  This practice interview session is highly recommended for students who wish to improve their interviewing skills. In order to set up a mock interview, make an appointment with a staff member in the Career Development Office.