No sooner had the recent presidential race been decided than the “talking heads” were already speculating about the possible candidates for the 2012 race. Similarly, no sooner had I gotten to law school than people were asking me to think about jobs after graduation.
Fortunately, at St. John’s Law, there is plenty of help in making this important decision. The Career Services Office, which assists students in finding summer jobs and employment after graduation, makes a point of reaching out to students early. In October, they held an information session for all 1L’s to discuss job fairs, summer internships, judicial clerkships, and scholarship opportunities. In addition, each 1L was paired with a Career Services counselor.
Just recently, I met with my counselor who gave me some very helpful feedback on my resume and cover letter. She also offered advice about summer employment opportunities in areas that I am interested in. My counselor also arranged to conduct a mock interview so I would be prepared for my first interview.
While the bar exam may still be three years away, my first summer internship begins in just six months. Thanks to the Career Services Offices, I feel well prepared and the search has already begun.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, November 17, 2008
From Cube to Classroom: By Scribbles
I worked for several years before going to law school, and it is certainly a big change from corporate life. Now I enjoy a relaxed dress code, flexible hours, and time to actually talk about issues instead of always running around solving one crisis after another. It’s a lot of fun, but there are also some real adjustments to get used to.
Being disciplined about studying, especially on the weekends (which used to be my free time) is a change. It’s great not having class until 11:00 am on Tuesdays, but if I don’t spend that time studying, I’ll be up until midnight.
Money is also a factor. I got spoiled by direct deposit coming in twice a month. Now the money’s only going one direction: out.
Isolation from the corporate world is also a feeling I sometimes get. I do keep in touch with old colleagues, but I feel like the whole mortgage meltdown happened while I was in the law library (that might not be a bad thing).
But I made the right move. As a law school in New York City, St. John’s is very much in tune with what is going on in this city, as well as nationally and internationally. From the first day, I was told I was here to train as a lawyer, a new profession that I had chosen for myself. I was reminded that in just three years I would be back in the world with a whole new set of skills.
Going back to school can be challenging, but it is also very rewarding. The added bonus is that in three years I will be a practicing attorney.
Being disciplined about studying, especially on the weekends (which used to be my free time) is a change. It’s great not having class until 11:00 am on Tuesdays, but if I don’t spend that time studying, I’ll be up until midnight.
Money is also a factor. I got spoiled by direct deposit coming in twice a month. Now the money’s only going one direction: out.
Isolation from the corporate world is also a feeling I sometimes get. I do keep in touch with old colleagues, but I feel like the whole mortgage meltdown happened while I was in the law library (that might not be a bad thing).
But I made the right move. As a law school in New York City, St. John’s is very much in tune with what is going on in this city, as well as nationally and internationally. From the first day, I was told I was here to train as a lawyer, a new profession that I had chosen for myself. I was reminded that in just three years I would be back in the world with a whole new set of skills.
Going back to school can be challenging, but it is also very rewarding. The added bonus is that in three years I will be a practicing attorney.
It's Different Here: By Night Rose
All I can say is... wow. I have never studied like this. Ever! Sure, I did homework in undergrad.... like the day before! I never set foot into the library though. Nor did I ever, EVER turn down a party, or a date... or the chance to go to Six Flags for Halloween! I have been in the library, nonstop... and when I am not in the library, I am in my old bedroom/converted office at home. What do I do all day long? I am reading torts, contracts, property. I am working on my legal memo, the final draft which is worth 50% of my grade! Finals are just around the corner and they loom large in my mind. With our entire grade based on one exam, the intensity of studying here is unparalleled.
That initial freakout was about a month into school. I am not feeling any better, but I am controlling these emotions by doing what I call my mom's mantra: study, study, study! Did I say I never stepped into a library before law school? Wow.
That initial freakout was about a month into school. I am not feeling any better, but I am controlling these emotions by doing what I call my mom's mantra: study, study, study! Did I say I never stepped into a library before law school? Wow.
Bye Bye Kansas: By Srcibbles
In the first three months, the biggest difference I’ve found between law school and undergrad is how focused every aspect law school life is. I started writing this posting during class, but I found that I couldn’t describe my experiences in law school and follow the lecture, so I had to put this down. Multitasking in class is not an option for me if I want to pick up the key points the professor is making, because she isn’t always going to say, “This is important. Put this in your outline.”
Another major difference involves studying and reading. When I was an undergrad, I would skim the text or read the assigned pages once. Now, I usually have to read each case two or more times to understand the arguments and dissect the governing law.
Even social events are more focused and important in law school. Of course, I’ve made friends that I enjoy studying or hanging out with. But law school events are also opportunities to network and make contacts that I may need to rely on five years from now to get a job.
Law school is certainly far more like undergrad than it is like working in an office. But I can’t help feeling that I’ve started down a path that will continue to require a heightened degree of focus and energy, and there’s no going back to Kansas.
Another major difference involves studying and reading. When I was an undergrad, I would skim the text or read the assigned pages once. Now, I usually have to read each case two or more times to understand the arguments and dissect the governing law.
Even social events are more focused and important in law school. Of course, I’ve made friends that I enjoy studying or hanging out with. But law school events are also opportunities to network and make contacts that I may need to rely on five years from now to get a job.
Law school is certainly far more like undergrad than it is like working in an office. But I can’t help feeling that I’ve started down a path that will continue to require a heightened degree of focus and energy, and there’s no going back to Kansas.
The Sixth Draft: By Scribbles
It’s finished. I submitted my final legal memo assignment last week, and now I am free to study for finals. Without a doubt, the legal memo was the most amount of time I have ever spent earning two credits. But it was also the most valuable practical experience that I’ve had this first semester of law school.
Legal writing is definitely an art form that must be learned by doing, because it is not like other forms of writing. First of all, I had to start with the conclusion (and also end with a longer conclusion). For every case I cited, there was a specific rule from the “Blue Book” that had to be followed precisely – no room for creativity in citations. I also wrote about six drafts to get to a point where I felt comfortable submitting the memo, and even now I know it’s not perfect. But it was well worth the effort.
Helping me through this process was St. John’s brand-new Legal Writing Center, which is staffed with upper-level students. They know what the professors are looking for, because they’ve had the same professors that I have. I met with two consultants, and they helped me improve my writing and caught a few spelling errors. They did not, however, rewrite my memo, and I’m glad for that. Working independently is an important aspect of first-year legal writing. It builds confidence and sharpens skills.
Legal writing is definitely an art form that must be learned by doing, because it is not like other forms of writing. First of all, I had to start with the conclusion (and also end with a longer conclusion). For every case I cited, there was a specific rule from the “Blue Book” that had to be followed precisely – no room for creativity in citations. I also wrote about six drafts to get to a point where I felt comfortable submitting the memo, and even now I know it’s not perfect. But it was well worth the effort.
Helping me through this process was St. John’s brand-new Legal Writing Center, which is staffed with upper-level students. They know what the professors are looking for, because they’ve had the same professors that I have. I met with two consultants, and they helped me improve my writing and caught a few spelling errors. They did not, however, rewrite my memo, and I’m glad for that. Working independently is an important aspect of first-year legal writing. It builds confidence and sharpens skills.
MEMOries: By Night Rose
In legal writing, we get two chances. The first draft, worth 30% of our grade, and the final draft, worth 50%. I handed in my first draft, so cocky, so sure that I was going to be #1. A couple weeks later, an email entered my inbox, notifying me to collect my paper. After I saw my dismal grade, I had one thought: I totally deserved so much better! My paper was well thought out, structured, and grammatically correct! Or so i thought.
After looking over the comments, I realized I totally deserved that grade. Too much passive voice, no organization, and lack of proof. Grrrr, I thought... where to go from here? The final memo due date loomed two weeks away. I worked every single day on this paper until there was no passive voice, mucho organization, and lots of relevant proof. Do I feel as confident as before - no way. I do want the best grades- I want to be #1, remember? But, seriously, if nothing else, at least i am learning.
After looking over the comments, I realized I totally deserved that grade. Too much passive voice, no organization, and lack of proof. Grrrr, I thought... where to go from here? The final memo due date loomed two weeks away. I worked every single day on this paper until there was no passive voice, mucho organization, and lots of relevant proof. Do I feel as confident as before - no way. I do want the best grades- I want to be #1, remember? But, seriously, if nothing else, at least i am learning.
Don't Bubble: By Night Rose
After watching movies like Legally Blonde, and hearing horror stories about the so-called Socratic Method, I was nervous about my first time in the spotlight. It happened during Torts with one of the most distinguished Professors at the school. By merely walking into the classroom, the Professor produced a tangible air of anticipation. He started to take roll call. Of course, I, with all my effervescent bubbliness, said, "Hi Professor, how are you," when he called on my name (everyone else just raised their hands). He looked at me sternly, and then returned the greeting. You could feel the mood begin to lighten. He introduced the day’s topic: elements of intentional torts. Then, he looked straight at me and said, "Who wants to volunteer for the next case?" I mean, dead on looking at me! (Damn my effervescent bubbliness, I thought furiously!) I stammered, "Would, would you like me to g-go?" "Yes, Ms. Nightrose."
Why does the professor always call on you for the case you might not completely understand? I had the first two cases down perfectly, but of course, he calls on me for the third one, which was much harder! Well, I lived to see another day, but let me tell you, he was definitely grueling. He probed, questioned and picked until all my answers fell apart. I did not feel stupid, though. Instead I began to understand that the answer is less important than the process. Understanding the arguments on both sides is the goal. The law is different than anything I’ve ever studied. Ever.
Why does the professor always call on you for the case you might not completely understand? I had the first two cases down perfectly, but of course, he calls on me for the third one, which was much harder! Well, I lived to see another day, but let me tell you, he was definitely grueling. He probed, questioned and picked until all my answers fell apart. I did not feel stupid, though. Instead I began to understand that the answer is less important than the process. Understanding the arguments on both sides is the goal. The law is different than anything I’ve ever studied. Ever.
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