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February 26, 2009
Spring Break Job Search
While you are counting the days until Spring Break, don’t forget to also be planning the ways you will use Spring Break to your advantage in your job search. Spring Break is a great time to:
Implement the advice you receive from Kimm Walton on March 2. Before you even leave for Spring Break, you’ll have the chance to update your job search strategy. Kimm Walton, a Case Western Reserve graduate and author of “Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams” will be here in person on March 2 to present her job searching seminar, based on the newly released Second Edition of her book. The seminar will be held in Room A59 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Be sure to attend, take notes, and implement her job search advice during Spring Break!
Network. If you haven’t already done so, you need to be contacting attorneys now to schedule informational meetings during Spring Break. Seek out those who practice in areas that interest you and ask about their career path. If you are in your target geographic location over break, talk to them about the legal market there.
Follow up. Plan to spend some time making those follow-up calls you have been meaning to get to. If you sent materials to an employer and haven't gotten a response be sure to call to follow up. You never know where the conversation might lead.
Attend a CLE course. If you’ll be in Cleveland during Spring Break, check out what activities the CMBA or the OSBA will be sponsoring and attend. CLEs, section meetings, and other events are perfect opportunities to meet practicing attorneys.
Stay proactive. Don't let opportunities that become available over break pass you by! Keep checking Symplicity and reaching out to employers and networking contacts.
Meet with a counselor. Make an appointment with a CSO counselor to talk with us over break if you are in town or for when you return from break. We are happy to talk with you about your job search and career goals.
Posted by kcc17 at 04:42 PM
February 24, 2009
Coffee with the CSO
The CSO's monthly “Coffee with the CSO” in the Career Services Office is tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 25!
Stop by in the morning (after 9 am) for a cup of coffee and to check in with us about your job search.
FEBRUARY 25 @ 9AM in the CSO.
Posted by kcc17 at 05:14 PM
February 23, 2009
2009 Loyola Patent Law Program
Interested in patent law? Be sure to attend the 2009 Loyola Patent Law Program!
Loyola University Chicago School of law is hosting the 2009 Patent Law Interview Program on Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31 in Chicago, Illinois. This is a nationwide interview program that targets patent law employers and rising 2L and 3L students. Last year roughly 150 employers, 150 law schools, and 1,500 law students from across the country participated in the program. The program is entirely pre-selected, which means that students submit resumes and bid on interviews with the employers they are interested in, and employers then review the resumes of the students who bid on them and select the students they wish to interview at the program. Last year, approximately half of the participating students were selected for interviews.
Students with undergraduate or graduate degrees in engineering or a technical science should consider registering for the program. You do not need to be patent bar eligible to register, although the vast majority of employers participating in the program are seeking patent bar eligible students.
For more information on the program, please refer to the program website at: http://www.luc.edu/law/career/Patent_Program_-_Stu.html
Case Western Reserve University School of Law will cover the registration fee for each student who registers through the Career Services Office. To register, please email ray.noscal@case.edu no later than Friday, March 6. If you have any questions about this program, please contact the Career Services Office.
Posted by cld30 at 09:26 PM
February 19, 2009
Upcoming CSO Programming – IP Theme Week and Kimm Walton
The month of March is just around the corner and, although we guess that many of you are counting the days to Spring Break, we have some great CSO programming scheduled for the first week of March. So before you make your Spring Break plans, mark your calendars for IP Theme Week and for Kimm Walton’s seminar during the week of March 2nd.
IP Theme Week
IP Theme Week will begin on March 2nd with an Attorney Panel featuring four local IP attorneys. These attorneys will be available to talk with you about their careers, provide advice about IP careers, and answer your questions. The Attorney Panel will take place at noon on March 2nd in room 158.
On March 3rd, listen as your fellow IP students share information about their job searches and their summer work experiences. Join the CSO and the Student Panel in room 158 at noon.
Kimm Walton Seminar – March 2nd
Are you wondering about job searching in a tough economy? Frustrated with the status of your job search? Looking for tips on how to land your first legal job or a permanent position? Ms. Kimm Walton, a Case Western Reserve School of Law graduate and the author of “Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams” will be on campus on March 2nd to conduct a seminar based on the newly released Second Edition of her book. The seminar will be tailored to include advice specific to the current state of the market.
Don’t miss this chance to hear from a recognized expert on job search tactics, strategies, and skills! The CSO strongly suggests that everyone make an effort to attend this crucial seminar. Join us in A59 (Moot Courtroom) from 4PM until 6PM on March 2nd to hear from Ms. Walton. And be sure to bring your questions because she will take student Q&A.
Posted by kcc17 at 06:46 PM
February 18, 2009
CSO Employer Outreach
During the last six months the Director of Employer Outreach has conducted outreach meetings with employers in the following regions:
• Akron
• Cleveland
• Columbus
• Chicago
• Los Angeles
• New York City
• Washington, D.C.
• Pittsburgh
• Boston
• Florida
• Tennessee
• Wisconsin
• Minnesota
Next week, our Director of Employer Outreach will be visiting employers in Denver, Colorado.
If you would like the CSO to travel and speak with employers in areas where you intend to live and practice after graduation or over the summer, please take the time to complete this ONE question survey:
Click Here to take survey
Posted by kcc17 at 06:03 PM
February 16, 2009
Biskind Public Interest Fellowship and Social Justice Fellowship
Biskind Public Interest Fellowships
Each year, up to five Case law students will be eligible for Saul S. Biskind Public Interest Summer Fellowships. To qualify, students must do unpaid public interest legal work for 10 weeks during the summer at a nonprofit organization (excluding government agencies). The 2008 summer recipients were employed with the following organizations: Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH; Towards Employment, Cleveland, OH; and Legal Aid Society, Washington, DC. The summer stipend is $3,500.
Application materials: resume; statement of interest; letter of commitment from employer
Application deadline: Monday, March 16, 2009 at 1:00pm
Social Justice Fellowships
Up to five Case law students will be eligible for a Social Justice Fellowship. To qualify, students must do unpaid public service legal work for 10 weeks during the summer at a nonprofit organization OR government agency. The 2008 summer recipients were employed with the following organizations: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Washington, DC; Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH; Georgia Capital Defender’s Office, Atlanta, GA; and the Clark County Public Defender’s Office, Las Vegas, NV. The summer fellowship is $3,500.
Application materials: resume; statement of interest; letter of commitment from employer
Application deadline: Monday, March 16, 2009 at 1:00pm
Posted by cld30 at 09:44 AM
February 13, 2009
You Can Have a Career in Public Service, Even with Law School Debt
Many of you came to law school with dreams of being a prosecutor or a legal aid attorney or otherwise using your law degree to work in the non-profit sector. Then the realities of law school loans and the debt you’ll be paying back hit you and many of you started feeling that a public service career was unrealistic. Don’t give up hope yet. Several new programs have been created in the past couple of years that can make your dream of a public service career financially feasible.
One plan is the Department of Education’s Income Based Repayment Plan. This program won’t be up and running until July 2009, but it will essentially cap the percentage of your discretionary income that you will be expected to pay toward your student loan debt. Not every type of federal loan is eligible for this program, so you will have to pay attention to the types of loans you have. However, the basic rule of this program is, if you owe more than your annual salary you are likely eligible to benefit. More information is available at: http://www.ibrinfo.org/what.vp.html.
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is another new option. This program requires individuals to make 120 eligible monthly payments toward their qualifying student loans while working full-time at a government agency, a 501(c)(3) organization, or other qualifying profession. At the end of that 120-month period, the government will forgive the remaining loan balance. Like many government programs, there are rather complicated eligibility requirements. You can learn more at: http://www.finaid.org/loans/publicservice.phtml and at: http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/files/studentloan_checklist_6-19.pdf.
There are also a variety of other methods for receiving loan repayment assistance or forgiveness. Social-service fellowships such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps provide loan assistance in exchange for a term of public service with their organization. The website http://www.finaid.org/ provides a vast array of information about resources and programs that may assist you with your student loans.
And, of course, personal budgeting both during law school and after graduation are vitally important to being happy in a public service career. There are numerous budgeting and financial management websites, checklists, and calculators on the internet. Find a good one and start taking advantage of it now, while you’re still in school. As an example, Idealist has a good primer on “personal profit in a non-profit world”, available at: http://www.idealist.org/career/making_a_difference.pdf.
The Equal Justice Works website is a great resource for learning more information about loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs), and other loan benefit programs that those working in the public sector may be eligible for. Learn more at: http://www.equaljusticeworks.com/resources.
Information for this posting was pulled from the following article: http://www.slate.com/id/2209031/=20
Posted by kcc17 at 03:39 PM
February 12, 2009
Postgraduate Fellowship Opportunities
Considering pursuing a postgraduate fellowship? Postgraduate fellowships are an excellent opportunity for recent graduates to work for nonprofit organizations, government entities, and educational institutions. Fellowships are different from permanent employment in that fellows are hired for a specific period of time, typically one to two years. While postgraduate fellowship opportunities may take various forms, most are either “organization-based fellowships” or “project-based fellowships.” The funds for an “organization-based fellowship” are provided by the organization the fellow is working for. The funds for a “project-based fellowship” are provided by a third party to allow the fellow to work with the host organization on a specific project developed by the fellow.
One of the best resources in the search for a postgraduate fellowship is the Fellowship Corner of PSLawNet. PSLawNet has compiled information, advice, and timelines relating to postgraduate fellowships. Visit http://www.pslawnet.org/postgraduatefellowships to review the resources that are available as well a list of application deadlines. While deadlines for many postgraduate fellowship opportunities have passed, there are still various postgraduate fellowship opportunities available. Examples of fellowship opportunities currently posted on PSLawNet include a year-long fellowship with the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel of John Hopkins University, a two-year fellowship with Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, a two year pro-bono fellowship with the law firm of Hunton and Williams in Atlanta, Georgia, and a two-year fellowship with the United States Department of Labor – Benefits Review Board. Please note that the deadlines for all of these fellowships, along with many others, are quickly approaching.
The CSO also encourages third year students interested in pursuing non-legal postgraduate fellowship opportunities to consider fellowships like the Cleveland Executive Fellowship. The Cleveland Executive Fellowship is a year-long fellowship designed to accelerate the professional development of civic leaders for Greater Cleveland. Additional fellowship opportunities include California’s Executive Fellowship Program and the Koch Associate Program.
The information above is only a brief overview of postgraduate fellowships. The CSO includes postgraduate opportunities in the jobs section of Symplicity and houses postgraduate fellowship information in a binder in the public interest section of the resource room. If you are a third year student interested in applying to a postgraduate fellowship and would like more information please make an appointment to talk with a counselor. First or second year student interested in learning more about fellowship opportunities, including project-based fellowships, are also encouraged to talk with a counselor.
Posted by kcc17 at 10:20 PM
February 10, 2009
Cleveland Executive Fellowship and Cleveland Bridge Builders Open House
Thinking about applying for the Cleveland Executive Fellowship? Don't miss the opportunity to learn more about the fellowship during the Cleveland Leadership Center for the Cleveland Executive Fellowship & Cleveland Bridge Builders Open House. The open house takes place on Thursday, February 26, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at The Hermit Club, located at 1629 Dodge Court, Cleveland, OH 44114 (behind Playhouse Square; off of Chester Avenue).
This is a great opportunity to learn about The Cleveland Leadership Center’s two programs for rising leaders. Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.
Register Now: https://www.cleveleads.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=340
Posted by kcc17 at 09:06 PM
Adelstein Environmental Law Fellowship
Adelstein Environmental Law Fellowship
The Stanley I. and Hope S. Adelstein Environmental Law Student Summer Grant is awarded to a Case law student who secures an environmental law-related internship or employment in the public interest field (including government employment). The position must be unpaid. The 2008 summer recipient was a legal intern for The Energy & Environment Foundation in Washington, DC. The amount of the grant is $5,000 for an 8 to 10 week internship.
Application materials: application (application form available in CSO Hot Files); statement outlining work that will be done during the summer and what the applicant hopes to accomplish during his/her employment
Application deadline: Rolling deadline; apply ASAP, but not later than Monday, March 9, 2009 at 1:00pm
Posted by cld30 at 12:53 PM
February 06, 2009
Introducing Market Week
During the month of February, the Career Services Office will be hosting a new series of workshops designed to help students strategize about pursuing employment opportunities in different geographic markets. Our goal is to provide students who are interested in specific geographic markets with information about top practice areas in the market, specific qualities that employers in the geographic market are looking for, and other advice about developing a strong job search strategy in the particular geographic market.
Each day, we plan to have an attorney practicing in the featured market share advice, by conference call, about job search strategies in that geographic market. Mark your calendars now for the day and time when your primary geographic target will be featured. And no one should miss Friday’s session, which will cover the Cleveland market and general tips for job searching in a tough economy!
Monday, February 16 at 12PM in Room 157: New York
Monday, February 16 at 12:30PM in Room 157: Boston
Tuesday, February 17 at 12PM in Room 157: Chicago
Wednesday, February 18 at 12PM in Room A57: DC
Wednesday, February 18 at 12:30PM in Room A57: Atlanta
Thursday, February 19th at 12PM in Room A57: Seattle
Thursday, February 19th at 12:30PM in Room A57: Los Angeles
Friday, February 20th at 12PM in Room 157: Cleveland
Posted by kcc17 at 12:24 PM
February 04, 2009
Second Annual Women in the Law Event
The 2nd Annual Challenges and Changes Panel: A Woman's Perspective on Working in the Legal Profession.
Join the WLA for an evening with several local practitioners as we discuss issues important to the female law student. Topics for conversation include choosing an area of practice and getting to your dream position, the advantages and disadvantages of being a woman in the legal profession, how to develop the skills necessary to succeed, how to find and develop a mentoring relationship, and the changes that women in the legal profession have seen over the past years. After the panel, join the panelists and attendees for a reception.
The event will be held HERE at the law school TOMORROW, February 5, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. in the moot court room. This event is sponsored by the WLA, the Cleveland State College of Law Women's Law Association, and the Women in Law Section of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. This is a great opportunity to meet and talk with practicing attorneys!
Posted by kcc17 at 05:12 PM
February 02, 2009
Guest Blogger's Networking Advice
Periodically throughout the year the CSO posts blog entries from guest bloggers about various topics. Please note that the views expressed by our guest bloggers are the personal opinion of each blogger and are not necessarily the views and opinions of the CSO. The CSO guest blogger entires are intended as an opportunity for attorneys currently practicing in the legal field to share their insight and advice with law students.
Our guest blogger for the month of February is Julie Lady, Esq. (class of 2002). Ms. Lady is an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission here in the Cleveland office. In her blog, Ms. Lady offers three ways to jumpstart your networking efforts.
"As a law student I didn’t have any desire to be involved in networking nor did I see any reason. Since I’ve left law school, I have begun to realize the importance that networking plays in your career. I suspect you’ve heard this before, but let me remind you why it is important. First, it can help you get a job now. Most people get jobs because of who they know, not what they know. Second, it can help you once you have a job. Your network of contacts may know something about a subject you need to know about. Third, you might not always want to stay at your first job. If you’ve kept up your contacts, it will be that much easier to find your second job.
I know that networking can be intimidating–I have been there. So, here are three of the least intimidating ways to expand your contacts. My hope is that you’ll try these because they seem less intimidating and it will get you started.
1. Keep up contacts with the attorneys you work for and with over the summer.
This is the least intimidating way to network as you already know these people. Try to meet up with them for lunch occasionally or find other ways to stay in contact. Having worked with them, you may know needs or interests that they have. If you see a way that you can help them out, be sure to do that.
2. Join a bar association and attend events.
Bar association events are a great way to meet practicing attorneys in an informal setting. Attend events related to the kind of law you think you want to practice. When you are there, introduce yourself to the people you are seated by. Tell them you’re a law student and interested in this area of law. Ask them how they got started. Most people enjoy being asked about themselves and for advice. Rarely will someone turn down your request. I am a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and I can tell you that members of the CMBA spend time thinking about how to get more law students to come to their events. These attorneys want to meet you and do what they can to help. These are the people you are going to be working with in just a few months or years. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity.
3. Talk to the Career Services Office.
Case’s career services office solicits alumni to participate in helping current students obtain jobs. Some alumni volunteer to talk to students about a particular area of law or getting a job. Talk to the CSO about where you want to work and the kind of work you want to do. Ask them for a list of alumni in the geographic or practice area that you are interested in. Then, and I can’t stress this enough, call these people. I know, I know, it is hard to call up a stranger and I promised to give you my least intimidating tips. Think about it though, these people want to talk to you. They volunteered. I know for a fact they want to talk to you because I am on that list.
I encourage all of you to try at least one of these three suggestions. I think you will find that networking is not as hard as you might have thought."
Posted by cld30 at 09:48 AM