If you’ve been working with an employer for a summer or two and no one has brought up the subject of postgraduate employment, you may want to initiate that discussion as the summer is winding down. If you’re interested in working there, be sure your employer knows it. Although you might be feeling good about your prospects, it would be awful to assume that everyone is on the same page and that an offer will be forthcoming only to find out at some point during your 3L year that everyone was not on the same page, an offer is not forthcoming, and you’ve missed out on a lot of other opportunities. [Read more…] about Talking with Your Current Employer About the Prospect of a Postgraduate Job
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Podcast Episode 206: The Most Surprising Things About 1L Year
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re sharing some unexpected things we experienced when we started as 1Ls, so you can adjust to law school culture faster.
In this episode we discuss:
- How the volume of activities and the importance of grades can be overwhelming at first
- Why it could take some time to find people that you click with
- The reality of having to figure most stuff out on your own
- Schedules being less flexible than you might be used to
- The importance of thinking about summer jobs early
- Bringing out your inner entitled self and feeling confident you deserve your place in law school as much as anybody else
Thanks for listening!
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How to Set Yourself Up for a Successful 2L year
While it may be relieving that 1L year is over, 2L year will present its own set of challenges – and you should make sure you’re ready for them! It may not be as scary as 1L year, but there will likely be many additions to your schedule during 2L that will require you to adapt to new circumstances. Below are a few things you should consider doing to set yourself up for a successful second year. [Read more…] about How to Set Yourself Up for a Successful 2L year
To Ask or Not to Ask: Summer Job Accommodations
You made it through your first year! If you are like most law students, your mind has turned toward looking for a post 2L summer job. The job search is complicated for many students, but for students with disabilities, the process can sometimes feel extra overwhelming. In 2011, the American Bar Association reported that 6.87% of its members identified themselves as having a disability. Many lawyers before you have confronted the issue of how and when to disclose their disabilities in professional settings.
Because each person with a disability has unique circumstances, the answer of how and when to disclose will vary. There are many potential upsides to disclosure, but concerns about the downsides are normal.
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Podcast Episode 205: Navigating Interviews as a Non-Traditional Law Student
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re chatting with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones to get some interview tips for non-traditional law students who are trying to start a legal career.
In this episode we discuss:
- Who is a non-traditional law student?
- What kinds of challenges non-traditional students may face when trying to start a career in law
- The importance of having a coherent story and explaining the value of your background
- How to handle inappropriate/illegal questions about family status, age, etc. that might be asked during an interview
- Understanding the expectations of the job and making clear you are eager to do them, even if you have to start with entry-level tasks
- The advantages of non-traditional students that employers see
Thanks for listening!
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Want Better Grades in Law School? How About Switching Up Your Study Space?
Last summer I had the pleasure of attending a women’s career development conference. As I settled into the crowded room bursting at the seams with women, it took little time to notice that we were all unified in our desire to absorb the secret formula that fuels the female masterminds and professionals of the world. Armed with our notepads and pens in hand, we beamed with anticipation as we learned the many ways to tackle difficult conversations with coworkers and our superiors, methods to reactivate our serotonin levels when faced with inevitable stressors on the job and finally what area within our work space we should place a bowl to activate wealth. Yes, you read that correctly, as I reviewed the agenda for the conference sessions that day, I was surprised to see an entire session dedicated to the art of “Feng Shui” and how it can positively impact our growth, prosperity and overall career development. We therefore learned how the placement of something seemingly trivial as a crystal bowl could generate wealth and how different colors and greenery could impact our mood and focus.
As I hit about a year to the date that I attended this conference, I got to thinking about how this method could serve to benefit a law student. It’s no secret that your surroundings can directly impact your ability to focus. Therefore, before you pass on this as some “mumbo jumbo,” consider that it’s reasonable to surmise that better focus could ultimately lead to better grades. However, creating a space based on the “Feng Shui” method is not the only method for success. It may simply mean being intentional about the study spaces you select simply by decluttering your surroundings Marie Kondo style. Regardless of your preference, your work space should at its core be inspired by what works for you. So if you’re looking to improve your focus and improve your grades check out the study space options below.
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