November 19, 2007 | Vol. XI, Issue 14

Career Services: Make The Most of Winter Break

Who will you meet over Winter Break?
Did you know that most jobs are obtained by word of mouth or who you know? Don’t worry if you don’t know any lawyers personally, they are all around you. While at family events for holiday functions, let everyone know that you are in law school and are looking for a summer or permanent job. Getting a haircut or going to the dentist? Let them know too. There are many stories that we can tell you about students who received job offers through these means. Seek out the local bar association to see if there will be any luncheons or holiday receptions while you are in the area. Take control of your future, go out there and network. Yes, network. You will continue to network throughout your entire professional career, so start now.

Complete Your Bar Application
Winter break is ideal to set aside some time to prepare your bar application for submission. While you are home, track down that missing information. We all know how daunting a task it is and finding time to put this information together while keeping up with class work is close to impossible. So, now’s the time.

Volunteer
Whether you are at home or in Gainesville, ’tis the season to volunteer to help others and gain hours toward your Community Service or Pro Bono Certificate.

Informational Interview
Conduct an informational interview of a lawyer or professional in your area to learn about their career path, how they prepared and to seek their recommendations. It was not long ago that many attorne’s were in your shoes. They’ll have great advice, and just might know a person or two who might help you eventually find a job.

Prepare for Next Semester’s Recruiting
Prepare your resume and cover letter. Application deadlines begin right after the first of the year for many opportunities, including government positions, externships, fellowships and OCI. Sample resumes and cover letters are available on the CCS website, and you can email your drafts to a counselor for review. We will certainly try to get them back to you as soon as possible.

Attend Law Firm Holiday Open Houses in Your Area
Many law firms hold holiday open houses specifically targeted to those interested in practicing in the firm’s geographic area. Many, but not all, of these receptions also specifically target 1Ls. Check out the employers in your area and see if they are advertising such events. We have received notification of several different events, and the information about them can be found in the CCS or in this and next week’s FlaLaw Online. Mark your calendars now, and don’t miss out.

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