Student Affairs
Frequently Asked Questions:
Career Development
Can I work during law school?
As a full-time law school, the Levin College of Law adheres to American Bar Association policy requiring students to devote all of their working hours to the study of law. Academic schedules and minimum load requirements are designed to reflect this policy. First-year students are prohibited from employment. Other students may not be employed more than 20 hours per week. Please see Academic Policies for further information.
When should we start looking at summer options for after our 1L year?
The Center for Career Development (CCD) will host a special welcome orientation program for all 1L’s on or about the first of November to help you prepare your career plan. After December 1st, you will be able to apply directly to legal employers with whom you are interested in working during your 1L summer.
What is Symplicity? Do I need to register for it?
Symplicity is the online database system that the CCD uses for all recruiting including job postings from employers, On Campus Recruiting, many of our off campus events and even calendaring programming. You will be automatically enrolled in Symplicity as we upload a list from Student Affairs of all entering students. Transfer and visiting students will want to come to the CCD office to ensure they are added into the system.
Why can’t I see a career counselor until November 1st?
The ABA, the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) and the law school believe that new law students need to take most of their first semester to acclimate to law school and to devote themselves to their academic success. Therefore, law schools cannot begin to offer career assistance to 1L students until November 1st. Waiting until after November will not be disadvantageous because the NALP guidelines prohibit all first-year students across the country from contacting legal employers prior to December 1st. The same rules also prohibit legal employers from responding to or contacting first-year students before December 15.
Can I have my resume reviewed before November 1st?
To ease some of the anxiety of the November 1st restriction, the CCD has made arrangements with all of the legal writing instructors to come into your first semester class during an open period, and provide resume advice. Each class will receive information on preparing a legal resume, and have the opportunity to turn a resume in for review. Details will be provided in your class.
Can I attend CCD programs?
While the CCD cannot offer career counseling to first semester students until after November 1, there are many career information sessions that first semester students may attend. You will receive a list of the programming specifically for 1Ls in an email from the CCD as well as in your welcome packet from Student Affairs during the Introduction to Law and the Profession program.