Career Development
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Students
- Symplicity
- Application & Interview Preparation
- Start Your Job Search
- Symplicity
- Library
- Useful Job/Resource Links
- Out-of-State Job Search
- On-Campus Interviews
- Off-Campus Job Fairs
- Public Sector Interview Program & Opportunity Forum
- NLSC Symplicity
- Short-Term Assistance Registry (STAR)
- Temporary Agencies
- 1L Timeline
- 2L Timeline
- 3L Timeline
- Exploring Career Options
- Programs and Events
- Judicial Clerkships
- International Careers
- Career Services Bulletin
- Resources for Students with Disabilities
- Videos/Podcasts
- Travel Reimbursement
3L Timeline
Fall Semester
- Meet with your career advisor to discuss your job search.
- Complete the required career services exit interview form so that Career Development can keep you informed about opportunities that may be of interest to you.
- Participate in Early and Regular Fall OCI.
- Apply to local employers for school-year jobs to enhance opportunities for full-time offers.
- Apply for the Presidential Management Fellowship. Deadline is generally in September.
- Apply for federal and state judicial clerkships. Click here for a guide to state judicial clerkships. Click on “Access the Guide” and then go to specific state. (Username and Password)
- Attend job fairs around the country that match your interests.
- Attend the Equal Justice Works Career Fair and Conference in Washington D.C. in October if you are interested in public interest careers.
- Apply for public interest fellowships with early application deadlines.
- Continue to build your network; stay in touch regularly with your contacts.
- Join the local bar associations and any working substantive committees of interest in your area of geographic preference.
- Request reciprocity through Career Development so you can use other law schools’ career services offices during Winter Break.
- Follow up with employers to whom you have applied and let them know you will be available to interview during Winter Break.
Winter Break
- Gather information about the legal practice in your preferred city. Review local legal publications.
- Conduct informational interviews with contacts in your preferred city. Career Development can help you develop a list of contacts.
Early Spring Semester
- Update your resume on Symplicity to include your current work experience and your Fall Semester grades.
- For Ohio, file an application to take the bar exam. Historically, the late application to register as a candidate for the July bar has been due in mid-January. For deadline and admission information, see click here.
- Bar loans are available for up to a year after graduation through private lenders. Check with Financial Aid if you need more information.
- Continue to check Symplicity announcements and on-line job postings weekly.
- If interested in federal clerkships, continue to monitor the judicial clerkship lists for updated announcements. Contact Liza Moore for guidance.
- Participate in Spring On-Campus Interviews in March.
- Talk to professors in the substantive areas you enjoy about your job search and ask about any contacts they may have.
- Follow up with employers to whom you have applied and let them know you will be available to interview during Spring Break.
Spring Break
- Interview with out-of-state employers, specifically government, public interest, and small/medium firms who do not recruit in the fall.
- Network! Network! Network! If this is difficult for you, Career Development can help you get started.
Late Spring Semester
- Check Symplicity often because employers contact Career Development with late-breaking job opportunities throughout the Spring.
- Talk to your current employer about permanent employment or other job leads.
- Apply to state judicial clerkships with spring deadlines.
- Apply to public interest positions with late deadlines.
- Identify and apply to small firms. Call to determine hiring needs.
- Continue to strategize with your career advisor. Career Development continually refers students to employers throughout the year, but we have to know you are still looking.
- Identify and consider applying to legal temporary agencies in the market(s) where you would like to work.
- Complete a Career Development Graduate Employment Survey through Symplicity.
- Keep in contact with Career Development for assistance with your job search after graduation. We hear of leads all the time!
After Graduation
- Prepare for and take bar exam.
- Stay active by developing a plan of activity each week.
- Join and take an active role in your local bar association and relevant committees, including new lawyers committees.
- Begin or develop your social media presence, write articles, start a blog, add to your resume.
- Volunteer.
- Investigate contract work; research legal temporary agencies.
- Use informational interviewing to meet new practitioners and to expand your networks.
- Review the 3L timeline tips above to re-visit researching employers, job search opportunities and websites.
- Review the “Professional Development for Alumni” handbook from Career Development.