SECOND YEAR STUDENTS
(31 to 60 Credits)

Throughout your law school experience, you should be planning and preparing for your legal career. The Career Services Office can and should be utilized by you as you progress towards your Juris Doctor degree. This is the time to increase your familiarity with our career resources and learn how to utilize them effectively in long-term career planning activities. This is also the time to begin focusing on actual job search strategies. The Career Services Office can work with you on an individual basis to help you identify potential employers and employment settings that are likely to be well suited to your strengths and interests. Second year is also the ideal time to participate in FOCIS (Fall On-Campus Interview Season) as a means of seeking a summer associate position or employment for the following year. If you are interested in pursuing a judicial clerkship after graduation, you will need to start investigating opportunities now.

Second year students should pay particular attention to the following items:

SCHOOL:

• Aim for outstanding academic performance.
• Begin exploring course electives in a legal specialty of your choice and concentration options.
• Determine which student activities, organizations, or memberships would benefit your professional interests and job search - sign up and participate.
• Join Law Review or the Journal of Clinical and Practical Law.
• Participate in Moot Court.
• Investigate your clinical or externship choices with a Career Services Advisor.

CAREER EXPLORATION:

JOB SEARCH:

• Obtain part-time employment through the Cooley Classifieds or volunteer experience through the Cooley Volunteer Corps (CVC). Decide what type of employment you plan to seek for the summer. Many law firms hire for the summer during the fall of the preceding year.
• Begin developing a list of law firms or other employers of interest for summer and long term employment possibilities.
• Investigate judicial clerkship opportunities and procedures. Many applications must be submitted in the fall of the second year.
• Update your resume to include law school, work and/or volunteer experiences. Draft cover letters for your search.
• Prepare a writing sample for those employers requesting one.
• Purchase your recruiting and interviewing wardrobe.
• Attend on-campus career and interview programs during the on-campus (FOCIS) interview season.
• Submit materials to on-campus (FOCIS) employers of interest. Submit materials to other employers of interest not included in FOCIS and found through your independent research.
• Participate in Job Fairs and Conferences.
• Obtain employment! Contact the CSO to celebrate!

NETWORKING:

• Become a student member of the State Bar where you plan to practice and attend meetings whenever feasible.
• Contact the Alumni Director to discuss networking and mentoring opportunities.
• Arrange informational interviews with attorneys, alumni, and professors.
• Network with contacts who can act as mentors or assist with your job search. Identify and seek permission to list contacts as references.
  

BAR PREPARATION: