Monday, May 25, 2009

Constructive Summer Plans for Law Students: Some Ideas

To add to the multitude of bad news facing legal professionals, some summer associate programs are being cut or downsized in 2010, reports a recent article in the ABA Journal.

Need to plan for your summer? Consider the following tips:

* Plan ahead, and plan early! A more competitive market means you have to be more vigilant when it comes to landing a summer position--don't get lazy; don't wait until the last minute to find a job; and don't expect a job to fall into your lap.

* Be ready to "pound the pavement." You may need to go back to basics when it comes to finding a summer job, including proactive job-searching and networking.

* Don't put all of your eggs in the OCI basket: consider smaller firms and other employers for summer employment.

* Consider an internship, externship, or law student clinic if paid employment doesn't work out. You will still add valuable practical experience to your resume, and you'll gain valuable insight into whatever job you take on.

* If you absolutely cannot find employment or gain practical skills during the summer, don't waste the summer at the beach: do something constructive to further your legal education or experience, such as taking a summer course or studying abroad and gaining insight into a more global legal environment.

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