Frequently Asked Miscellaneous Questions

• Where is the Career Services Office (CSO) located?
  
  
  • The CSO is located on the first floor of the classroom building. We also have a Career Resource Center located directly across the hall.
    
    
• Do I need to make an appointment to visit the Career Services Office or Career Resource Center (CRC)?
  
  
• We encourage walk-ins at both the CSO and CRC. Students who require specific career advice are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a career advisor.
  
  
• When is the Career Services Office Open?

 
• The Career Services Office is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Office is also open every other Saturday during each term from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 
• What types of resources does the Career Services Office have to help students and alumni with job searching and career planning?

 
• Student Advising

The Career Services Office offers comprehensive career counseling. Three full-time career services advisors are available to help with all phases of the career planning process. The same services are also available to students interested in pursuing non-legal employment. Individualized counseling is available on an appointment basis, however drop-in hours are also available at selected and publicized times during the year.
 
• Career Resource Center and Solo/Small Firm Center

In addition to individualized career counseling, the Career Services Office also maintains the Career Resource Center which includes a comprehensive career library. The library contains a variety of books, magazines, and publications concerning a multitude of career related topics. Most resources can be checked out for two weeks at a time. The Resource Center also contains information on hundreds of different legal employers, including government and public interest employers. Students and alumni are encouraged to use the Resource Center computer to help prepare their resumes and cover letters, as well as to research legal employers on-line. For students interested in pursuing a career in a small firm or solo practice setting, a designated solo practice and small firm resource room, located in the Career Services Office, has been created. It contains resources particular to the solo or small firm practitioner and includes a new computer available for career related use. Students interested in a non-legal job following graduation are encouraged to utilize a binder dedicated particularly to such jobs. Names and phone numbers of temporary staffing agencies are also available to all.
 
• Printed and on-line Resources

The Career Services Office stocks numerous handouts and booklets addressing such topics as how to write a cover letter and a resume, interviewing skills, and professional dress. These booklets and handouts are available free of charge to Cooley students and alumni. Information and materials concerning on-line employment searches are also available to students. The Office has found that Emplawyernet.com, one of the nation's largest on-line job banks, is of particular interest to students. Stop by the Career Services Office for information on this on-line job search service as well as a listing of many other job related internet sites and service. This information may also be accessed via this website.
 
• Is there a fax machine I can use to send employment related information?

 
• The Career Services Office also allows students and alumni limited use of the Career Services Office fax machine for employment related purposes.

 
• Where can students find sample resumes and cover letters?

 
• The Career Services Office provides resume and cover letter samples, as well as individual consultation on all aspects of career planning. Students in various stages of their law school education will find resume books tailored to their status.

 
• I am interested in researching LL.M programs. Where can I find information?

 
• Cooley Law School offers two Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree programs through its Graduate Program. This weekend program in Tax and Intellectual Property can be taken on a part-time or full-time basis. The Graduate Program is located on the campus of Oakland University, in Rochester, Mich., 30 miles north of Detroit.
   
• I heard that certain states require "law student registration" prior to taking the Bar? What does this mean, and where can I find information?

 
• It is true that a handful of states require law students to register as a "law student." This means that if you intend to take the bar in a state that requires law student registration, you must fill out a simple application and pay a fee to that state often a year or two prior to your sitting for that state's bar. Registering as a law student in select states is an absolute prerequisite before applying to and sitting for the bar in those states. Be certain to stop by the Career Services Office for a current list of all states requiring law student registration. The earlier you sign up, the less money it will cost you, as registration fees escalate substantially the closer a student is to graduation.

 
• Where can students find information about bar membership and requirements, and Michigan Bar applications, and MPRE application?

 
• The Career Services Office maintains a binder containing each state's requirements and membership information. The BarBri Digest, also available in the Career Services Office, provides another source for additional information about individual state bar requirements and contact information. MPRE and Michigan State Bar applications can be obtained in the Bar Exams Office. Cooley hosts Michigan State Bar informational meetings in September and January of each academic year. The dates for the meetings are announced as they approach. The presentations are also available on videotape for checkout at the Career Resource Center.

 
• Where can students find current full and part-time job postings?

 
• The Cooley Classifieds (student and graduate editions) are the most popular and widely read Career Service Office job posting bulletin. The Classifieds contain numerous job listings for Michigan and other states. The Office publishes the Classifieds every Friday. Part-time, temporary, volunteer, and internship positions can be found in the green "student edition." Full-time opportunities appear in the white "graduate edition." The Classifieds can be picked up in the Career Services Office, with a valid Cooley I.D. or they can be sent to students and alumni via e-mail (weekly) or regular mail (biweekly). A selection of recent job opportunities are posted on the "hot off the press" board in the Career Services Office, and are also e-mailed to student accounts.

 
• Where are work study positions posted?

 
• Work study positions are posted in the student edition of the Cooley Classifieds. The Cooley Classifieds can be found inside the Career Services Office.

 
• What Career Services Office publication contains information about upcoming programs, scholarships and writing competitions, student award recipients, and a variety of fun and important career related articles?

 
• The News and Notices. New editions of this brightly colored and informative publication are available monthly. Copies are available inside the Career Services Office and by the first floor elevators in the classroom building. We also post announcements in the Career Services Office page of The Pillar.

 
• Is there a way for students to learn more about what it is really like to practice law by interacting with and meeting practitioners living and working in the community?

 
• Yes. The Career Services Office sponsors numerous programs each year featuring Cooley alumni and professors speaking about legal specialties, practice areas, and job search techniques.

 
• What is reciprocity?

 
• Reciprocity is an agreement between law schools to provide career services to each other's students/alumni. If a student or alumni wishes to utilize the services at another participating law school, the Career Services Office will request reciprocity on that student's behalf. Forms are available in the Office.

 
• Is there a program through which Cooley students can volunteer with local agencies and organizations to gain valuable legal work experience while simultaneously contributing to the community?

 
• The Cooley Volunteer Corps (CVC) is a program developed and administered by the Career Services Office which matches offices and organizations with Cooley students who seek a substantive volunteer experience. Past CVC placements have included the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Legal Services, and CADA (Council Against Domestic Assault)
  
   
• Can Cooley law school help with information about child care?

 
• Yes, the Office for Young Children (517) 887-4319 or (800) 234-6996 offers a list of child care referrals for licensed providers.

 
• Where can a student receive information about health insurance?

 
• The Student Bar Association (SBA) office handles all questions about medical/health insurance. Contact the SBA at (517) 371-5140, Ext. 5704 or sba@cooley.edu. The Career Services Office provides the SBA Student Health Insurance Options list of agencies/agents that offer health insurance to law school students.