LAW SCHOOL GRADUATION DAY! - IT'S WITHIN SIGHT! DON'T DROP THE BALL!

On the day that I should have been donning a cap and gown on the campus of Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C, near the U.S. Capitol, I was, in fact, sitting in the upper deck of Memorial Stadium (left-field side, near the foul pole). It was a beautiful Baltimore/Washington area kind of day – shining sun, cool (but not cold) -- breeze blowing through the stadium. My kind of day – PLAY BALL!

The reason that I had not gone to my law school graduation is that my family was not in the area, and really didn’t want to make the 4 hour flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Washington, D.C.  to see me graduate from law school. Law school was my “second career.” I had been a high school teacher for some seven years before I decided to attend. I figure that my parents thought that if law school had not been my first choice, they sure weren’t going to travel from their beautiful scenic farm to watch me pick up a piece of sheepskin (they would probably tell you different, but I’m writing this essay, not them! :-) ).

 Moreover, I had no one else who knew my daily struggles as a law student and would appreciate the great accomplishment of graduating from law school and all the grit, determination, and hard work that it takes to accomplish that feat No one to share my joy and elation . . So I opted for a Sunday afternoon baseball game to watch my favorite team – The New York Yankees (a/k/a The Evil Empire) play the local Baltimore Orioles. My then girlfriend (now wife) and I took the drive down the Baltimore/Washington Parkway from Washington to Baltimore then zigged and zagged through Baltimore the quaint neighborhoods of Baltimore until we reached the old, venerable Memorial Stadium:

 This was before the era of the new “retro” ballparks and Camden Yards (the first of these new urban centered baseball parks) was still not-yet a thought in the minds of the park’s architects, HOK Sport.  It really didn’t matter to me one way or another where I was. I was at a ball game. The sun was shining. The Yankees were right there! What could be better than this? Right?? . . Well, maybe not . . . . .

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It’s been years since that beautiful sunny afternoon at Memorial Stadium, but I still think about it --- a lot. 

Truth be told, I really regret not having gone to my law school graduation ceremony. Dumb move on my part.

During law school I had worked very hard: (1) adjusting to a new way of teaching and learning; (2) changing my entire study habits and hours to conform to the rigors of this intense academic environment; (3) working AND going to classes at the same time (no small feat for me!); (4) driving an old Chevy Chevette (with no AC, no less!) cross-country from Georgetown Law in the District of Columbia all the way to the shores of the Pacific Ocean to do a Summer Internship in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles (more on that adventure in another post. . stay tuned); and, (5) meeting the challenges of a full year Criminal Justice Clinic at Georgetown with a legendary professor (Bill Greenhalgh) who would make Professor Kingsfield seem like a pussycat (he was still a wonderful man and a great Criminal Law Prof) . . .  

 . . . There is so much to tell as I look back at all the blood, sweat and tears that I endured in law school, but I hope that you get the picture.

I’ve learned through my own years in law school, and now as a law school career counselor, that if nothing else, law school graduation is a celebration of all that a law student has been through – good and bad. It is a time to sit back, breathe deeply and simply enjoy the moment (for you know that the bar exam looms right around the corner!).

So my advice to 3Ls everywhere -- as the rollercoaster ride toward graduation starts to accelerate here in early March, is:

. . . Finish strong and then celebrate all that you have accomplished. Don’t let the naysayers and the cynics throw water on your parade. You will have accomplished so much. Cheers!

Phil Guzman

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P.S. The Yankees were absolutely “murdered” by the O’s on that day so many years ago. It serves me right for having dared to go to the game. For all you baseball geeks (like me) out there, I could not resist but include a copy of the box score of that day in May, 25, 1981 where both the Yankees and I had a very bad day:

New York	0	1	0		0	0	0		0	0	0	–	1	5	3
Baltimore	1	3	0		0	4	0		2	0	x	–	10	12	0

New York Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
Guidry  L (4-3)	4.2	8	7	6	0	2
Bird	1.1	4	3	2	1	1
LaRoche	2.0	0	0	0	2	0
Totals	8.0	12	10	8	3	3
Baltimore Orioles	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
Palmer  W (3-2)	9.0	5	1	1	2	1
Totals	9.0	5	1	1	2	1
E–Nettles (2), Revering (2), Cerone (1).  DP–New York 2, Baltimore 1.  HR–New York Jackson (6,2nd inning off Palmer 0 on, 0 out), Baltimore DeCinces 2 (4,2nd inning off Guidry 1 on, 0 out,5th inning off Bird 2 on, 2 out); Belanger (1,2nd inning off Guidry 0 on, 2 out).  SF–Dauer (2,off Guidry); Ayala (1,off LaRoche).  SB–Bumbry (11,2nd base off Guidry/Cerone).  U-HP–John Shulock, 1B–Vic Voltaggio, 2B–Bill Kunkel, 3B–Terry Cooney.  T–2:21.  A–42,949.

  

Your CSO is a Valuable Resource. Use it!

Career Services Offices – valuable resource for law students & alumni alike

(. . . This is an interview  I did with Chelsea Callanan, Esq. of Happy-Go-Legal): 




Career planning, resume review, interview strategies, job application strategies, job transition resources, alumni connections, sounding board…for law students and alumni alike, Career Services Offices offer valuable resources and tools.

 

For Free.

I was a work study intern in my Career Services Office while in school, so took in a lot of the benefits offered by osmosis.  However, many students and alumni aren’t aware of how to best utilize the resource provided by their school in the form of their CSO.  Today we get the skinny from Philip Guzman, Director of Public Service Programs at North Carolina Central University School of Law.  Today’s interview is chock full of information, so I won’t dawdle.

 

What are 5 benefits/services you offer to students through the Career Services Office (CSO)?

Oh boy! There are so many more than just five, but let me just mention some of the more important services

(1) Resume review: your resume should be tailored based on your past experience, your future goals, and the intended audience. Your CSO can help review your content and formatting to ensure it is within professional and industry standards.
(2) Job training skills: including mock interviews with feedback, social skill sessions (dress for success events, dinner and cocktail hour and events of this nature).
(3) This one is critical! CSO is a great resource to help law students connect with alums! The alumni base is the primary law student networking pool!
(4) Networking events: Career Services brings attorneys, from both the public and private sectors, in to speak with students about career opportunities. Students can use these informal sessions to networking with attorneys in their respective fields of interest;
(5) Individualized strategy sessions to reach appropriate career goals and job-seeking strategies. No “one size” fits all. In these sessions, grades are not the bottom line. All students need to set up individualized career plans.

My approach is to work with the career desires and strengths of each student to maximize strengths and eliminate minuses. In this regard, student contact with CSO must be on an ongoing basis with follow-up sessions scheduled on a regular basis.

 

While 3Ls with pointed questions on how to get a job are likely to be frequent fliers in your office, what can a 1L or 2L be in touch with the CSO about to help set up a job search plan? Do you encourage students to stay in touch with you from the beginning of their law school career?

Absolutely! A law student needs to have an ongoing relationship with CSO.

The relationship begins with a resume review in their 1L year. Here at NCCULAW, this is a requirement for a student’s participation in all phases of Symplicity (a software system for posting jobs online and managing on-campus (OCI) and off-campus interview programs).

Beyond initial resume review, we encourage follow-up appointments.

Here’s where it gets difficult. Students are busy and have limited time. CSO offices can’t require a student to come into the office. However, we try and schedule follow-up meetings with each “major” event in the life of a law student. For example, before the initial interview process, students next will need to draft cover letters, apply for jobs and, hopefully, prepare for OCI and other job interviews. I always try and schedule “debriefing” sessions following each event.
“Let’s break down what responses you received from the cover letter we worked on? “What happened in your interview? What questions were you asked? How did you answer? Were you satisfied? What else could you have said.?” . . .

CSOs also offer events, and debriefing in a follow-up session can be invaluable.

Another method to keep students engaged is to schedule sufficient CSO “events” and have dialog after each event. . . “Come by the office and let me know what you thought and how you will proceed based on the information that you received.”

Finally, the basic: “I would like to schedule another meeting in ___________ “ also works like a charm for many.

Here’s the thing that all students need to remember. With all we do, we can’t force students to work with CSO. There has to be an interest. I can’t tell you how sad it makes me to speak with an employer who tells me how a student “bombed out” in an interview, and find out that the student never took the time to schedule an appointment with our office to prepare.

 

If a student suffered from a bad semester, and is struggling to get grades up, what other ways do you suggest they help make themselves stand out in positive ways as a future job candidate?

First and foremost, the student needs to work on getting his/her grades up. That is the priority. Furthermore, I will counsel the student to reflect on what specific study methods need to be tweaked and improved. For example, did the student participate in a study group? Did it work? Why? Why Not? What needs to be done differently this semester?

Aside from that process, the student should find ways to add substantively to their resume, while not affecting their primary goal – getting their GPA up! Get involved in a clinic, a moot court competition, write a paper and publish somewhere, if possible. I can say from experience that quality activities on a resume can more than make up for one “off” semester grade-wise.

In addition, the student needs to be positive with prospective employers in pointing out (if it is the case) that this one semester is but a “blip” in a overall successful academic career and that the student is working hard to (and is confident that he/she will!) return to their successful patterns . . “the semester was “challenging” but, as you can see, I’m back on course.” A student must always present a positive picture, and NEVER be defensive in explaining a less than successful semester.

 

I just did mock-interviews at my alma mater to help students prepare for OCI, and was shocked at how few could clearly state what it is that they want out of their career

(“I think litigation is interesting but also would consider environmental law, transactional law, or patent work, and think I want to work in a big firm but would also consider public interest work”.)

 

Of course, not everyone has a specific specialty in mind, but what do you suggest students do while in school to help get a better sense of what type of work/setting/practice area is a good fit for them to have better purpose in their job search?

Here’s a general rule that I tell students:

In the summer following your 1L year, see if you can land a general legal job. One which involves general legal skills: research, writing. It need not be in the practice area that the student may be considering.

However, when the student enters their 2L year, he/she needs to start narrowing and honing down the practice areas of interest for a career, so that in their 2L summer, the student starts getting the specific skills needed to tell a future employer “been there, done that.” Of course, a student may not have all the answers in the 2L, or even 3L year. However, deciding on an area of practice should start right out of box as a 1L so that when the student is a 2L and 3L year, he/she already has a good idea of where of specific areas of interest.

As for an interview, I tell law students (with a glint of a smile) that it is “law student” malpractice not to research an employer thoroughly and be able to say that “THIS (whatever it is) is an area of practice that I am seriously considering” as my practice area after graduation and that’s why I’m here.” If you can’t say that with a straight face, then you shouldn’t be wasting everyone’s time by sitting for the interview.

 

Obviously all law students find time to be a precious commodity, and it can drive some tough decisions. I would love your thoughts on a decision a student discussed with me yesterday.

This student decided not to try and write on to Law Review, so she could use time each week during 2L & 3L year to do strategic networking and job searching.

 

Which do you think is more important in today’s job market? 1) journal experience or 2) connections and strategic planning?

Both! (is that a “cop out” answer, or what?). Everyone is different, of course, and I do not know of all the factors that went into the decision of the student that you mentioned, but I can’t see why a student can’t be on Law Review and do strategic marketing at the same time. Perhaps there is a personal note to my feelings on this topic. You see, I still rue the day that I decided NOT to write onto law review to continue working at a summer job at a law firm. I now believe that I could have done both and would love a “do over” on that decision. Law Review will make you a better writer and will open doors to many (not all). Moreover, participation in Law Review may open networking doors that may not have been open except for the fact. No? That said, it Law Review is NOT the end all to a job for all students.

 

Not many students think about future job transitions they may experience, but most CSOs do great outreach and offer services to alumni as well as enrolled students. What do you find your role is with assisting alumni in the job search or transition process?

Law schools always look to alumni for financial contributions (how many of us have received that phone call?). Thus, we can’t forget our alumni in providing CSO resources. We do here at NCCULAW. I just had a telephone conference with an alumna who is moving from private practice into government work and will continue to work with her. Alumni are part of our network and use Symplicity to log on, look for jobs and speak with our counselors in CSO. I work with them as I would any student. For me, providing continuing career services for alumni should be a critical mission of all CSOs.

 

Resume length: 1 page, or is longer OK?

For the regular college > law school student, I like one page. But there is no hard and fast rule about it if you can show me that you need a page and a half.

 

Favorite book to recommend to job searching 3Ls?

Just one??? How about a link to some of my favorite books.

 

Is (professional) social media presence important for law students?

ABSOLUTELY! I can’t tell you how many students I know on Twitter, LinkedIn and who blog who have reached out to some of the top lawyers in the country for networking and job opportunities. I can lead you to many myself from my Twitter “Followers” list. @pag2010 (my Twitter handle).

 

Inspirational Quote for students juggling it all?

“Don’t give up! . . don’t ever give up”

Jim Valvano, coach of the 1984 NCAA Champion North Carolina State Wolfpack basketball team, September 28, 2008 weeks before his untimely death to cancer.

An AUSA With Interview, Job, and Career Tips

                                               AUSA Jennifer May-Parker draws a crowd!

Late last semester, Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer May-Parker participated in one of NCCU Law’s Public Service Attorney Brownbag Spotlight Series presentations. Ms May-Parker is currently in the Appellate Division having also spent time in the Criminal Division. Prior to her work as an AUSA, she was a line attorney at both the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office and the prestigious New York County (Manhattan) District Attorney’s Office. She is a regular visitor to NCCU Law School and again brought motivating career advice that’s useful to all law students, not just those who were privileged to hear her talk.

How to Interview

Ms. May-Parker told the law students to always come into an interview confident, adding that so many students don’t seem to process the fact that they had already been selected for the interview (“so feel good about that!).”Don’t be nervous. I’m looking for people who are confident. I don’t expect you to know everything. I just want you NOT to be afraid.. . . ”

. . . I might add from where I sit in my chair as the Director of Public Service Programs, that a law student (or an attorney set to interview as well) can gain in confidence by doing a mock interview with his/her Career Service Office. The back-and-forth of a pre-interview will help a student work (and repackage, if necessary) their answers that they will be asked during the interview. Moreover, feedback from the Career Service Officer is also key (see if your CSO can video your performance so that you can actually see yourself in action). . . . If it works for candidates running for office, why wouldn’t it work for a law student prior to a job interview?

In fact, I feel so strongly about the mock interview process, that I have told our students that failure to go through a mock interview prior to a scheduled interview is tantamount to law student malpractice.

Learn to Write Well and Be Fearless

Ms. May-Parker stressed that legal writing is a skill that one must learn, and that it’s not intuitive. She advised students to enroll in those courses and clinical programs that will give the student the opportunity to write extensively.

As related to course selection, she urged students to focus on courses that will assist them in developing the practical skills that will be needed post law school. Never be afraid to take anything.”

As a voice of experience in this regard, let me add to Ms. May-Parker’s advice:

I will remind all law students who venture out and into a courtroom post graduation that fostering a “fearless” attitude regarding course selection and professors will help them as litigators. fearless law students will develop the same attitude when it comes to walking into the courtroom of the one judge that all other attorneys have grown to fear. If you are prepared substantively, fear of the judge will be one less thing to worry about!

Don’t Lose Your Reputation

Ms. May-Parker implored our students to always be honest in their dealings with all lawyers, especially opposing counsel. “Your honesty follows you everywhere.” Ms. May-Parker reminded the students that the very first thing an attorney does when he/she knows the name of an opposing counsel is to call around to find out “what is he/she like?” She added that the last thing that she wanted to hear was that opposing counsel was “slippery.” . . all bets were off for a professional relationship with that attorney from that point on.

Be Yourself

Interestingly, Ms May-Parker says that though she has tried umpteen cases, she considers herself an “introvert who becomes an extrovert” in court. She told the students not to try and be the one person who walks into a room and takes “command” of the room if that’s not who they are. “You always get the best results if you are remain who you are.”

In parting, she told our students to remember that what they believe  about themselves and their hopes, desires, will –more times than not – lead to who they become as lawyers.

“It’s so important that you have great expectations.”

Good advice to take to heart.