Communications and information sharing are important elements of the law school experience. Without the full picture - which we strive to present through programming and resources - it is almost impossible to make well-informed career decisions. Assumptions, which are often brought into law school, must be checked out, application dates and timetables confirmed and efforts made to understand and appreciate the full range of opportunities made possible by a legal education. Information about the legal profession is an important part of making appropriate career decisions. It is also important that students assume responsibility for utilizing the programs and resources sponsored by the Career Resources Center.
The realities of the legal market require that career decisions be an on-going and developmental process. This process begins during the first semester of law school and continues through graduation. To better acquaint students with the transitional nature of the "placement" process, the Career Resources Center offers the following resources and services.
Individual Counseling
We encourage you to make an appointment to discuss your career related questions with a professional staff member. We are also willing to see you on a drop-in basis if a staff member is available.
Topics Covered During Counseling Sessions Include:
Getting Started - overview of services
Career Exploration - discuss strategies and resources
Resume - creating or refining a resume
Cover Letter - creating or refining a cover letter
Interviewing - for jobs and information gathering
Internships - strategies, resources, and tools
Job Search - strategies, resources, and tools
Researching Organizations - companies, organizations, and associations
Networking - identifying and accessing professional contacts for information and insight
Job Search Timeline
Career Redirection - exploring options
And much more
Resume/Cover Letter Review
Students may drop off resumes or cover letters at the Career Resources Center. It will be critiqued and returned to you within approximately 48 hours.
Panels, Programs and Workshops
The Career Resources Center invites alumni and other practitioners from a wide variety of practice settings to speak with students about their practice and their careers. These programs are important educational vehicles for students to learn about the practice of law and to meet practitioners in their areas of interest.
We also schedule skills workshops designed to help prepare students for the job search process. These one-hour sessions have included presentations on: Resumes and Cover Letters, Interviewing Skills, and Job-Search Strategies.
Videotaped Mock Interviews
An individual, videotaped, practice interview is an effective means of improving interview skills. The mock interviews are held each semester and are first come first serve.
Recruitment & Interview Programs
Recruiting programs are managed through a web-based program by Symplicity at: https://law-stcl-csm.symplicity.com/students. This program allows students the ability to:
search all of our employers participating in on-campus, off-campus and resume collection programs. Also, search all employers submitting job postings;
post their resume to the Web in a downloadable PDF format and submit it to Career Resources electronically to be sent to employers;
receive notification of interview selections by e-mail; and
sign-up for interviews on the Web.
Job Postings
The Career Resources Center receives job postings from employers throughout the year. These notices are for summer positions, permanent positions, and positions which are part-time during the academic year. They are located in the Job Bank at: https://law-stcl-csm.symplicity.com/students.
Resume Collections
Some employers request that the Career Resources Center collect the resumes of interested students and forward the resumes to them in one packet. Resume Collection Phases are located in at: https://law-stcl-csm.symplicity.com/students. It is recommended that you include a cover letter with these resumes.
On-Campus Recruiting
During the fall of your second and third year, many employers will interview students on-campus. If you choose to participate, you will find a list of participating employers at: https://law-stcl-csm.symplicity.com/students.
Consortium Programs
The Career Resources Center coordinates several programs each year with various law schools. This Consortium is made up of the Career Resources Centers at the seven Massachusetts law schools. Interviews for students from the seven schools are held at one central location.
Career Resources Library
The Career Services Resource Library includes books, directories, periodicals and videotapes on a wide range of legal employment areas and issues. The resources library also houses background information about employers who have participated in STCL recruiting events in the past. A complete list of library resources is available in the Career Resources Center. Most books may be signed-out overnight.
Links to Career Related Resources on the Web
The internet has extensive information about careers, job search, employers and bar requirements. We have linked to many of these sites.
Telephone, Fax and Copier
Students may make any job-related telephone calls, both local and long distance, free of charge. Students may also use the fax machine and copier for job search purposes. If other students are waiting to use the telephone, there is a 30-minute time limit.
Links to Career Related Resources on the Web