Students & Alumni

Students

South Texas College of Law Houston is committed to helping our students maximize their potential for a successful, rewarding career. In doing so, we facilitate and support students through their transition from law student to legal professional by identifying opportunities in private practice, public interest, government, and business; providing career counseling and job search advice; offering assistance in applying for clerkships and internships; and connecting students with alumni and other potential employers.

From the start of their first semester, students are provided a robust and comprehensive offering of resources for all things career-related – this enables them to explore, develop, and implement their career goals thoughtfully and intentionally.

South Texas College of Law Houston is proud to report a 95% employment rate for the Class of 2024. This impressive outcome reflects the strength of our practical, skills-focused legal education and the unwavering support students receive from our Career Resource Center. Whether pursuing positions in law firms, government, corporate legal departments, public interest, or the judiciary, our graduates enter the profession prepared, confident, and practice-ready.

Services We Offer

At South Texas College of Law Houston (STCLH), the Career Resource Center (CRC) is here to support every stage of your professional journey—from exploration to execution. To help you clarify your career goals and build confidence in your path, the CRC offers a variety of interactive programs and practice area panels throughout the academic year.

These events are designed to:

  • Introduce you to a wide range of legal practice areas and industries
  • Connect you with alumni and professionals currently working in those fields
  • Help you assess your personal strengths, interests, and values
  • Guide you in setting short- and long-term career goals

Whether you’re still deciding what kind of law you want to practice or you’re refining a specific direction, these programs offer invaluable insights and real-world perspectives to help you make informed decisions about your future.

Interested in Collaborating on a Career Program?
If your student organization is planning a career-related event and would like to partner with the Career Resource Center, we’d love to hear from you!
Click here to submit your collaboration request. Let’s work together to create impactful programs that support your professional goals.

At South Texas College of Law Houston (STCLH), we understand that there’s no single roadmap to a legal career—every student’s goals, interests, and journey are different. That’s why the Career Resource Center (CRC) offers individualized career counseling tailored specifically to your unique path from day one!

Our team of dedicated career advisors—all licensed attorneys with practical legal experience across a range of practice areas—are here to help you:

  • Navigate the clerkship and post-grad hiring process with confidence
  • Explore and refine your career interests
  • Identify potential practice areas or industries that align with your strengths
  • Develop personalized job search strategies
  • Build professional materials like resumes, cover letters, and writing samples
  • Prepare for interviews and networking opportunities

Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or actively applying for jobs, your career counselor is a valuable resource—ready to meet with you one-on-one and help you navigate each step of your professional journey.

To ensure personalized attention, counselors are assigned based on the first letter of your last name:

Enrolled Students, Last name A – G, contact Marissa Sibal, JD ’15

Enrolled Students, Last name H – O, contact Noor Ismail, JD

Enrolled Students, Last name P – Z, contact Marie Garcia, JD ’16

Alumni, contact Shantal Formia, JD

General Questions, contact CSO

While every job search is different, there are a few key principles that apply across the board—and one of the most important is having strong, professional marketing materials. Your resume and cover letter are often your first impression with an employer, and they need to clearly communicate your strengths, experiences, and fit for the role.


The Career Resource Center (CRC) is here to help you craft tailored, polished application materials that stand out. Whether you’re starting from scratch or fine-tuning a draft, we can guide you through:

  • Building a legal resume that highlights your skills and experience
  • Writing a compelling, customized cover letter for each opportunity
  • Understanding what employers in different sectors look for
  • Avoiding common mistakes and formatting issues
  • Great materials can open doors—and we’re here to help you get them right.

Currently enrolled students can access guides, templates, and other helpful resources via the virtual tool-kit located in their Stanley Portal.

Each year, hundreds of legal employers, ranging from small and large law firms to government agencies, corporate legal departments, public interest organizations, and judges, actively recruit STCL Houston students through our On-Campus Interview (OCI) and Resume Collection Programs.

These programs are a great way for students to access opportunities for:

  • Academic-year internships
  • Summer clerkships
  • Post-graduate permanent positions

Our OCI Program runs in multiple phases during both the Fall and Spring semesters, allowing employers to participate according to their own hiring timelines. That means new opportunities are released regularly—so watch your Symplicity account and CRC emails for details on upcoming OCI phases and Resume Collection opportunities.

Currently enrolled students can access information regarding on-campus recruitment programs via the virtual tool-kit located in their Stanley Portal or by contacting their assigned Career Advisor.

Interested in gaining hands-on experience in a courtroom setting? Our Judicial Resume Collection Program connects STCL Houston students with internship opportunities in judges’ chambers at the local, state, and federal levels during the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.

Through this program, members of the judiciary review applications submitted by students via Symplicity and may contact selected candidates directly for interviews. These internships may be paid, unpaid, or for academic credit, depending on the court’s structure and the student’s needs.

Currently enrolled students can access information regarding Judicial Resume Collections via the virtual tool-kit located in their Stanley Portal or by contacting their assigned Career Advisor.

Our Recruiting Mini-Session program is a flexible, ad-hoc opportunity for students to apply to legal employers who have hiring needs outside of the traditional fall and spring recruiting cycles. These employers may be looking to fill positions immediately or have off-cycle opportunities.

Much like our On-Campus Interview (OCI) process, employers set their own application requirements and hiring criteria. The Career Resource Center (CRC) handles promotion of the opportunity, as well as the collection and packaging of application materials, making it easy for you to apply.

Currently enrolled students can access information regarding on-campus recruitment programs via the virtual tool-kit located in their Stanley Portal or by contacting their assigned Career Advisor.

Hosted annually, STCLH’s Government and Public Interest Table Talk (GPITT) provides public interest and government legal employers the opportunity to informally meet with students and introduce their organization, discuss opportunities for internships and permanent post-graduate positions, and collect resumes from interested candidates.

Currently enrolled students can access information regarding the Government and Public Interest Table Talk via the virtual tool-kit located in their Stanley Portal or by contacting their assigned Career Advisor.

STCLH partners with organizations nationwide that host job fairs representing a wide range of practice areas, professional settings, and interest-based groups. We are proud that our students regularly participate in the following career fairs and professional development opportunities:

Each fall, Equal Justice Works hosts its annual career fair—the largest public interest legal career fair in the country—which brings together thousands of law students, recent graduates, public interest employers, law school faculty and staff, and public interest practitioners from across the United States and its territories for three days of prescheduled interviews and informal “table talk” discussions.

For over 25 years, Houston law firms, government agencies, corporations, and courts have supported the HBA’s Advancing Belonging and Cultures Committee, with the goal of creating new employment and mentoring opportunities for underrepresented first-year law students from Houston’s three law schools who demonstrate a commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession. This initiative is an important part of the HBA’s mission to serve the needs of the legal community through a vibrant and inclusive local bar. To reach these objectives, the HBA believes it is essential to foster the development of law students before they embark on their legal careers. As you may be aware, most law firms and corporate legal departments hire only second-year law students for summer clerkships. The HBA believes that there is a need to extend employment and mentoring opportunities even further, to include underrepresented first-year law students who demonstrate a commitment to supporting advancing belonging and cultures in the legal profession. We are pleased that many Houston area law firms, corporations, government agencies, non-profits, and state and federal judges support this important mission. Toward that goal, Houston-based legal employers and the HBA Advancing Belonging and Cultures Committee are partnering to provide 1L clerkship opportunities through the HBA 1L Summer Clerkship Program.

The HBA’s 1L Summer Clerkship Program is open to all first-year students regardless of race/ethnicity, color, religion, citizenship, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military service, disability, or other characteristic or condition, protected by applicable law.

The National LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s annual Lavender Law® Career Fair is designed to achieve a sense of community and inclusion for LGBTQ+ candidates within the legal profession’s recruiting efforts. By participating in this career fair, candidates will talk directly to LGBTQ+ friendly recruiters from law firms, government agencies, LGBTQ+ rights groups, and corporate legal departments.

Membership in the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association is open to all lawyers, legal professionals, law students, and other individuals in the legal profession without regard to age, race, religion, gender, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.

The Loyola Patent Law Interview Program is a two-day interview program held each year that brings together patent law employers and law students from across the country to interview for summer associate positions and post-graduate employment.

Each year, over 1,000 law students register for the program, submit their application materials, and apply for interviews with the nationwide employers that interest them. The program is entirely employer-selected, which means that participating employers review the materials submitted to them and choose the law students they are interested in interviewing at the program. Roughly half of the students registered for the program are selected for interviews each year.

Hosted annually by Texas Law, the Public Service Career Fair (PSCF) is the largest public service interview program for law students in Texas.

During both days of PSCF, both public interest and government employers will conduct interviews for paid and unpaid summer and postgraduate positions. 1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls, domestic and foreign-trained LL.M.s, and recent graduates (up to one year after graduation) from all Texas law schools who are eligible to participate in this program.

SELSC is a consortium of NALP-member, ABA-accredited law schools in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia, that has been connecting legal employers with highly-qualified law students for more than 30 years.

Open to all students of participating law schools in the consortium states.

The Sunbelt Recruitment Program seeks to provide job access opportunities to JD students and recent JD graduates who may be otherwise at risk of being underserved in the job market. 

Open to all students of participating law schools. 

The TexasBar Membership Connections Program (TMCP) is the premier client development, networking, and CLE event for attorneys in Texas. Law students from around the state are invited to participate in the TMCP Law Student Program! There are several key components built into the conference to help law students network with prominent Texas attorneys, including save-the-date networking receptions.

Open to all law students.

Networking

Fall First Look | Meet the Employers Reception

  • Our Fall First Look program is an exclusive event designed just for first-year law students (1Ls) at South Texas College of Law Houston. This unique opportunity lets you connect early with legal employers before the official recruiting season begins:
    • Meet and network with a variety of employers including law firms, government agencies, public interest organizations, and corporate legal departments
    • Learn about different practice areas and employer expectations in a relaxed, informal setting
    • Ask questions directly to recruiters and attorneys about internships, clerkships, and career paths
    • Gain insight into the recruitment process and prepare for upcoming OCI and resume collection events
  • This event is designed to give you a head start on your legal career by helping you build connections, gather information, and set goals early.

Find Your Fit

  • Every spring, the Career Resource Center (CRC) hosts an engaging event open to students from all class years designed to help you discover the many career paths available to JDs. This interactive program offers a unique opportunity to explore a broad range of legal practice areas by rotating through a series of practice area roundtables.

  • At each table, you’ll meet experienced practitioners—alumni, local attorneys, and legal professionals—who share insights about their fields, including:
    • What their day-to-day work looks like
    • Skills and experiences that are valuable in their practice area
    • Different types of employers and opportunities within that sector
    • Tips for pursuing internships, clerkships, and jobs in the field
  • This event is perfect if you’re still undecided about where your legal interests lie or if you want to learn more about fields outside your current focus. It’s a great way to ask questions, network with professionals, and gain clarity on your career goals.

DINE with a J.D.

  • Our D.I.N.E program, which stands for Develop, Insight, Network, and Educate, is a signature professional development program at South Texas College of Law Houston that gives students the opportunity to build meaningful connections with distinguished alumni and legal professionals.

  • D.I.N.E. is more than a networking event—it’s an opportunity to learn from those who’ve been where you are and who understand the challenges and possibilities ahead. Through this unique experience, you’ll be able to:
    • Gain valuable perspective on different career paths and practice areas
    • Ask real questions and receive candid advice from professionals who share similar backgrounds or interests
    • Develop your networking skills in a supportive and welcoming atmosphere
    • Build lasting connections that can shape your career and expand your professional community

Government and Public Interest Table Talk & Career Fair

  • Every year, South Texas College of Law Houston hosts the Government and Public Interest Table Talk (GPITT)—a unique networking event designed to connect students directly with legal employers in government and public interest sectors:
    • Meet face-to-face with attorneys and recruiters from a variety of government agencies, public interest organizations, and nonprofit legal groups
    • Learn firsthand about their organizations’ missions, work culture, and hiring processes
    • Discover internship and full-time job opportunities available for current students and recent graduates
    • Ask questions and build meaningful connections that can lead to future interviews or mentorships
    • Submit your resume directly to employers interested in your skills and background

  • GPITT is more than just a career fair—it’s a chance to engage in authentic conversations, expand your professional network, and gain insights that can help shape your legal career path in public service.

Mentoring

South Texas College of Law Houston’s Peer-to-Peer Network

  • Navigating your legal career path can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. The STCLH’s Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Network connects STCL Houston students with classmates who have firsthand experience working with a wide range of legal employers.

  • Through this informal, peer-to-peer network, you can gain real-world insights from fellow students who have interned or clerked with:
    • Law firms (large, mid-size, and boutique)
    • Judges and judicial chambers
    • Government agencies
    • Public interest organizations
    • Corporate legal departments
    • And more . . .

  • Whether you’re curious about an employer’s work culture, the type of assignments given, what to expect during interviews, or how to stand out as an applicant, your peers can offer practical advice you won’t find in a job posting. This is a great way to:
    • Make informed decisions about where to apply
    • Build your network within the STCL Houston community
    • Prepare with confidence for interviews and internships
  • Interested in connecting with a peer mentor? Reach out your individual career counselor, and we’ll help match you with a student who has relevant experience.

The Career Resource Center offers mock interviews to help you prepare, practice, and improve—so you’re ready for anything that comes your way.

Whether you’re interviewing for a summer clerkship/ internship, or post-grad position, mock interviews are a great way to:

  • Practice answering common legal interview questions
  • Receive personalized feedback on your responses, body language, and communication style
  • Get comfortable with different formats, including in-person, phone, and virtual interviews
  • Build confidence and reduce anxiety before the real thing

Our career counselors conduct these sessions in a supportive, low-pressure setting designed to help you grow.

Interviews don’t have to be intimidating—practice makes progress. Schedule your mock interview today by contacting your CRC career advisor.

Symplicity is South Texas College of Law Houston’s centralized career management platform—your one-stop resource for accessing a wide range of job and internship opportunities.

Available to all current students and alumni, Symplicity makes it easy to:

  • Search and apply for part-time, full-time, internship, and post-graduate positions
  • View detailed job descriptions, deadlines, and application requirements
  • Upload your resume, cover letters, and other materials for easy use
  • Track your application history and upcoming deadlines
  • Register for career programs, workshops, and on-campus interviews

No matter where you are in your legal journey, Symplicity helps streamline your job search and keeps you connected to career resources and employer opportunities tailored to law students and grads.

Currently enrolled students access the job board through their individualized Symplicity account.

For questions regarding access or to reset your credentials, please contact the Career Resource Center.

STCLH provides information on, and access to, numerous job banks to allow students and alumni to explore opportunities in various areas and locations.

Government

Legal Directories

  • Martindale.com – Martindale-Hubbell listing of attorneys; searchable by city, law school, firm size, practice area, etc
  • LegalDirectories.com – listing of attorneys throughout the United States; searchable by location, practice area, and firm size
  • NALPDirectory.com – listing of firms from The Association for Legal Career Professionals; contains mostly large firms and some government agencies

State Bar of Texas & Bar Associations

Other

General job search sites

Students and alumni looking for positions outside of Texas may be able to obtain reciprocity access for you at a law school in your geographic area of interest. Reciprocity access allows students and graduates to use the career resources of another law school in exchange for offering the same services to a graduate or student of that law school. This can be a great way to explore local opportunities, attend events, or access job listings that may not be publicly available.

A few important things to keep in mind:

  • Not all schools offer the same level of access or services
  • Most law schools have blackout periods, particularly during peak recruiting seasons
  • Requests must be coordinated through the CRC—don’t reach out to schools directly
    • Click here for a list of ABA approved law schools with reciprocity services

If you are a currently enrolled STCLH student interested in requesting reciprocity at another institution, contact the Career Resource Center, and we’ll help guide you through the process.

If you are seeking reciprocity access at STCLH, contact the Career Resource Center for Policy Information and Subscription Requests.

Alumni

Career Support for Alumni

The Career Resource Center (CRC) is committed to supporting STCL Houston alumni throughout every stage of their legal careers. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, we offer the same personalized services and resources available to current students—because career growth doesn’t stop at graduation.

As an alum, you can take advantage of:

  • One-on-one career advising
  • Resume and cover letter reviews
  • Interview preparation and mock interviews
  • Access to job postings through Symplicity
  • Networking events and career programs

Whether you’re conducting your first post-graduate job search, exploring a lateral move, or considering a career pivot, our team is here to help you navigate your next steps with confidence.

In addition to receiving career support, alumni are also vital partners in our mission to prepare practice-ready lawyers. Many choose to give back by mentoring students, participating in panels, or sharing job opportunities, helping shape the next generation of legal professionals.

If you’re an alum interested in getting involved—whether as a panelist, guest speaker, or mock interviewer—we’d love to hear from you.

Please contact Marie Garcia in the Career Resource Center to learn more about how you can support our students.

Stay Connected with STCL Houston – Alumni Association

While the Career Resource Center is here to support alumni with job searches, career transitions, and professional development, we know your connection to South Texas College of Law Houston goes far beyond your career.

For all non-career-related alumni services, we encourage you to connect with the STCL Houston Alumni Association. Whether you’re interested in:

  • Attending alumni events and reunions
  • Getting involved with alumni chapters and affinity groups
  • Updating your contact information
  • Requesting transcripts or records
  • Sharing a personal or professional milestone
  • Exploring opportunities to give back to the law school

…the Alumni Association is your go-to resource.

Visit the STCL Houston Alumni Association to stay engaged, celebrate achievements, and remain an active part of the STCL Houston community.

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