Career and Professional Development: 1L Career Planning FAQS: Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law

During the first year of law school, the Career and Professional Development Office is dedicated to helping students research and evaluate legal and alternative career options, offering workshops and training sessions in job search skills, and providing sources of current employment opportunities. The following information is provided as a guide to assist students in developing a plan for a first-year summer job search. While obtaining a meaningful summer employment experience is desirable, the focus of the first year at the Earle Mack School of Law is to acquire an excellent, first-rate legal education. Developing strong, academic credentials are an important part of achieving success in career plans. In addition, involvement in extracurricular activities, writing experiences, internships, and assuming leadership positions are other factors considered by future legal employers. A strong, academic background combined with meaningful, extracurricular experiences increases the chance of attaining one's career goals in a competitive first-year summer job market.

	1. Where Do I Start? Legal career planning is a process that takes time. Law students should begin this process during their first year in law school, so as to help identify career goals and ultimately succeed in a job search. Learn about the various career options available to law students before starting a job search. Start by researching career choices in private law firms, government agencies, and corporate business. Other career paths to consider include public interest law, academics, or administration. Knowing which option is the best fit makes it easier to find a job.

	2. When Do I Start? Acting in an ethical and responsible manner when seeking legal employment is an obligation of members of the legal profession. Accordingly, the National Association for Law Placement ("NALP") formulates guidelines and procedures for the first-year summer job. These guidelines, which Drexel Law follows, state that no placement services are offered to law students before November 1 of the first year in law school. Moreover, potential legal employers and first-year law students should not contact each other before December 1 of the first year of law school. In addition, any scheduling of interviews or offer of a job should not take place until December 1, as well. Lastly, any offer for a summer position should be available for a period of two weeks after the offer is issued to allow time for students to make a decision.

	3. What Kinds of Jobs are Available for My First-Year Summer? There are a number of legal opportunities available to law students during the summer following completion of the first year of law school. Students seeking summer employment typically consider one of these law-related positions: Internship with Public Interest Employers Internship with Government Agencies Judicial Internships Summer Associate with Large or Medium-Sized Law Firm Law Clerk with Small Law Firm or Solo Practitioner Law Clerk with Corporation Faculty Research Assistants

	4. How Do I Find the Jobs? Law students use a number of job search strategies to obtain summer employment. Students often find jobs with legal employers through job listings posted with Career and Professional Development during the academic year. These positions are available on Symplicity, Drexel's on-line Legal Career and Professional Development Management System, and on file in the Career and Professional Development office. These listing are constantly updated and should be searched frequently. Another primary method involves applying to potential legal employers identified though networking, other personal contacts, or research. Some students succeed in the job search after attending a first-year recruiting program or career fair, which are posted through the Career and Professional Development office.

	5. Which Jobs are More Valuable? Law students are prone to speculate which type of first year summer position improves their chances of obtaining a desired second year summer associate position. In general, no one legal experience is more preferable than another. Not having work experience in a firm after the first year of law school on a resume should not reduce the likelihood of being offered a summer associate position during the second year of school. The one area where this may not apply is seeking a job opportunity in the public interest sector. Most public interest employers prefer a documented record of commitment to public interest work, as evidenced by a first year summer experience in this area. Finding the ideal summer job after the first year of law school is often challenging. Rather than only considering one type of opportunity, develop an alternative plan with other work options. If not immediately successful, keep looking. Many job possibilities become available at the end of the school year. Above all, stay calm, don't panic! Eventually there will be an interesting summer opportunity available.

	6. What Does the Career and Professional Development Office Do for Me During my First Year? The Career and Professional Development Office at Earle Mack School of Law will assist you in preparing for a career in law and will help you in your search for the right summer opportunity. Resources on the legal market are available on the Career and Professional Development website. After November 1 of your first year, look for workshops on: Writing a Resume and Cover Letter Summer Employment and Study Opportunities Interviewing, Networking, and Researching Employment What It Is Like to Practice Different Kinds of Law Your Career and Professional Development Office also offers individual counseling, review of resumes and cover letters, and mock interviews. And the office serves as your source of information and liaison for the legal community with respect to events, programs, career fairs, and receptions.