South Texas College of Law Houston/Student Services/Career Resources/Career Resource Center

Career Resource Center

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WELCOME TO THE CAREER RESOURCE CENTER

The Career Resource Center (CRC) at South Texas College of Law Houston offers a full array of individualized and specially tailored services to assist students, alumni, and employers in fulfilling their employment needs.

Guided by the mission of successfully supporting students through the transition from law student to legal professional, the CRC equips both students and graduates with the resources necessary to explore career paths, develop professionally, and successfully recruit in their desired areas.

Serving as a bridge between students and the legal market, our team works hand-in-hand with all employers to understand hiring needs, create customized recruitment opportunities, and source talent to meet the multifaceted hiring needs of the legal profession.

Irrespective of which end of the hiring table you are on, the CRC stands ready to assist in meeting your employment goals.

CONTACT US

Career Resource Center
South Texas College of Law Houston
1303 San Jacinto Street, Suite 303T
Houston, Texas 77002
Phone Number: (713) 646-1866
Fax: (713) 646-1844
Email: cso@stcl.edu

CONNECT WITH US

The CRC Team

MEET THE CRC TEAM

Shantal Formia, J.D. | Senior Director
sformia@stcl.edu , Counsels Alumni

Shantal joined the CRC in 2017 as the Assistant Director of Employer Relations and now serves as the department’s Senior Director. She earned her B.A. in Legal Studies and Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, and went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Prior to joining the law school, Shantal spent seven years in private practice representing banks, businesses, and insurance carriers in commercial litigation disputes – she is a member of both the Florida Bar and the Texas Bar.

In her role as Senior Director, Shantal is responsible for the administration of the entire Career Resource Center including cultivation, management, and maintenance of employer outreach; development, execution and refinement of program offerings; and oversight of graduate employment data collection and reporting. Additionally, Shantal provides one-on-one career counseling to alumni.

Bianca Edwards, J.D. | Assistant Director of Special Projects
bedwards@stcl.edu , Counsels Students Last Name A – G

Bianca graduated from Tufts University with a B.A. in Political Science and minor in English. She received a J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston and is an active member of the Texas Bar. After law school, she worked for a litigation boutique firm in Houston, specializing in insurance defense litigation, and then served as Junior Associate Counsel at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Bianca eventually left the full-time practice of law to pursue a career in K-12 education, teaching 9-12^th grade Law, Public Safety, Corrections, & Security related courses. During this time, Bianca continued practicing law on a part-time basis, focusing on insurance defense matters. Bianca manages recent graduate employment data collection and reporting, provides one-on-one tailored career advising to STCL Houston students, and assists students with seeking and applying for judicial internships and clerkships.

Katie Silver, J.D. | Assistant Director of Employer Relations
ksilver@stcl.edu, Counsels Students Last Name H – M

Katie, a native Houstonian, earned her B.A. in English from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law, and is a member of the Texas Bar. After law school, Katie worked as a commercial litigator for a large international law firm before joining the CRC as the Assistant Director of Employer Relations.

In addition to career counseling, Katie identifies new job opportunities for South Texas students and alumni by engaging in outreach to legal employers and cultivating lasting relationships with them. She also manages the school’s On-Campus Interview Programs (OCI) and coordinates additional recruiting programs.

Marie Garcia, J.D. | Assistant Director of Career Development
mgarcia3@stcl.edu, Counsels Students Last Name N – Z

Marie, a native Houstonian, joined the Career Resource Center team after practicing family and construction law for boutique law firms in Houston, Texas. Marie graduated from Texas State University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice, received a J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston, and is a member of the Texas Bar.

In her role as an Assistant Director of Career Development, she counsels students on career goals and job search strategies in all facets of the practice of law as well as non-legal and non-traditional areas in which students might utilize their backgrounds and law degrees. Marie also develops educational skill-building programs and activities focused on professional development and career advancement.

Donna Longoria | Coordinator
cso@stcl.edu

Donna is a native Californian and joined the Career Resource Center team in October 2018. Donna provides support for counselors and works collaboratively with students and employers while handling daily administrative and clerical support. She coordinates, schedules, and prepares all panel and networking events.

Donna manages the CRC’s Symplicity portal and oversees job postings, and maintains employer and student files. She facilitates reciprocity requests from accredited law schools.

Prospective Students

PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

The goal of the Career Resource Center (CRC) is to help students explore various career options, build valuable job search skills, understand strengths and abilities, and take responsibility for their own career planning in the process. We also offer all of our services to alumni, including career counseling, resume editing, and interview preparation.

Services and Resources Provided by the CRC

Career Development Programs and Panels
Self-Assessments
Individualized Career Counseling
Resume and Cover Letter Review
On-Campus Recruitment Opportunities
On-Campus Interviews (OCI)
Resume Collections
Recruiting Mini-Sessions
Government and Public Interest Table Talk
Off-Campus Recruitment Opportunities and Job-Fairs
Networking Events
Mock Interview Programs
Online Job Board (Symplicity)
Intercollegiate Job Bank
Reciprocity
Career Advisor Directory

Pathways to Practice

As you start on your path towards law school, you can learn about different career options in many legal fields, what it’s like to practice in those fields, and how to plan a curriculum to emphasize desired career goals on the Pathways to Practice website created by the professors at South Texas College of Law Houston.

Pathways to Practice

Graduate Employment Statistics

To access the Graduate Employment Statistics required by ABA Standard 509, click on the link below:

Graduate Employment Statistics

Current Students

CURRENT 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 thoughtfully and intentionally explore, develop, and implement their career goals.

Services We Offer

Career Development Programs and Panels
Self-Assessments
Individualized Career Counseling
Resume and Cover Letter Review
On-Campus Recruitment Opportunities
- On-Campus Interviews (OCI)
- Resume Collections
- Recruiting Mini-Sessions
- Government and Public Interest Table Talk
Off-Campus Recruitment Opportunities and Job-Fairs
Networking Events
Mock Interview Programs
Online Job Board (Symplicity)
Intercollegiate Job Bank
Reciprocity
Career Advisor Directory (CAD)

Student Access to Symplicity

The CRC receives job postings from employers throughout the year, which we post on Symplicity (our online job board). Click HERE to access Symplicity:

Symplicity

Other Student Resources

Additional resources are accessible via the Campus Life Tab of STANLEY.

Stanley

CONTACT US

Enrolled Students Last name A – G, contact Bianca Edwards, JD ’10

Enrolled Students Last name H – M , contact Katie Silver, JD

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

Alumni, contact Shantal Formia, JD

General Questions, contact CSO

Alumni

ALUMNI

The CRC engages Alumni throughout their careers by connecting graduates with job search resources and partnering with Alumni to support current students.

As potential job-seekers, Alumni are provided with all the same services as currently enrolled students. Whether conducting an initial post-graduate job search, looking to make a lateral jump, or pivot career paths entirely, the CRC provides valuable resources to aid in the process.

Scheduling an Appointment

Shantal Formia (Counsels Alumni)

Career Advisor Directory

Career Advisor Directory:

We encourage Alumni to become involved with the Alumni Association and volunteer to help South Texas College of Law Houston continue to grow. Whether you are a recent grad or a lifetime member, the South Texas community maintains a common desire to connect with, and assist in the development of, the next generation of legal talent.

The South Texas College of Law Houston Career Advisor Directory is an online directory of Alumni who have opted in to serve as on-the-ground resources for students and share their expertise, provide career support, and offer mentorship. Join the Career Advisor Directory TODAY!!

Employers

EMPLOYERS

At South Texas College of Law Houston, we pride ourselves in preparing law students to be productive interns and practice-ready attorneys from day one. Our mission is to provide students with hands-on opportunities to build and enhance their lawyering skills while developing a sense of professional identity and community responsibility.

The CRC welcomes partnerships with all employers recruiting for school year, summer, and post-graduate positions and offers a variety of flexible recruitment avenues designed to meet the needs of each employer. Whether you seeking to fill an immediate need, projected need, or simply engage in brand development, the CRC takes the work out of hiring.

We are so excited to have you consider our qualified students and alumni as you look to fill any summer, part-time, or permanent positions within your organization.

For a full complement of services, please contact Katie Silver, Assistant Director of Employer Relations.

RECRUITMENT AVENUES

Fall and Spring Recruitment Programs | On-Campus Interviews & Resume Collections

During the Fall and Spring semesters, the CRC holds Recruitment Programs where both On-Campus Interviews and Resume Collections are offered. The Fall Recruitment Program is held in August and September and the Spring Recruitment Program is held in January and February.

If you are unable to attend one of our on-campus recruiting programs, we would still love to assist you with your recruiting needs. Please see information about our recruiting mini-sessions. If you have any questions, please contact us directly.

Contact Katie Silver for more information..

Job Postings on Symplicity

Symplicity is the online job board available to South Texas College of Law Houston students and alumni. All employers have the ability to register on Symplicity and post open positions, or you can simply fill out the job posting form and we will post the position for you.

Job Posting Request

Recruiting Mini-Sessions

Our Recruiting Mini-Session Program is a complimentary service that is tailored for legal employers who find that they have a hiring need, including immediate needs, that they would like actively marketed to students/recent grads that fall outside the timelines of our Fall and Spring Recruitment programs. Participating employers are able to set the requested job description/credentials/qualifications/required application materials, and our office facilitates active advertisement of the opportunity to eligible candidates as well as the packaging of application materials for submission in one convenient step. Employer’s can choose to interview any selected candidates at their convenience or participate in a tailored on-campus interview session. Employers have found this to be a convenient and effective alternative to simply posting a job via our Symplicity system because of increased marketing to students and ease of use.

Recruiting Mini-Session Request

Judicial Internship Resume Collect Program

In an effort to connect more students with judicial internship opportunities and to make it easier for judges to connect with interested students, the CRC offers interested Judges the opportunity to participate in our Fall, Spring, and/or Summer Judicial Internship Resume Collect Program.

Participating Judges are able to receive resume books from students interested in interning specifically with the particular Judge that contain all requested application materials.

Contact Bianca Edwards for additional information regarding our Judicial Internship Resume Collect Program.

Information Sessions

Employers may choose to hold information sessions prior to (or as part of) their recruitment process.

Contact Katie Silver to coordinate an information session.

Government & Public Interest Table Talk

Each February, we hold a Government and Public Interest Table Talk where government and public interest employers can introduce students to various career paths in government and public interest, connect with potential volunteers, and raise awareness about your organization.

Contact Marie Garcia, Assistant Director of Career Development, for more information.

Contact the Career Resource Center

Communicating with the CRC

For general questions concerning our full complement of services, please contact cso@stcl.edu.

Employer Newsletter

Sign up to receive our Employer Newsletter. The newsletter includes news from STCL Houston, CRC Happenings, and Legal Market News.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Non-Discrimination Policy

South Texas College of Law Houston does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age or handicap in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs or other school administered rights, privileges, programs, or activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

By posting a position with South Texas College of Law Houston, an employer agrees to abide by our Non-Discrimination Statement.

Reciprocity

RECIPROCITY

The Career Resource Center (CRC) provides reasonable access to resources to students and alumni of other schools on the following terms:

Eligibility

Reciprocity privileges will be available only to other ABA accredited / NALP Member law schools that provide reciprocity privileges to students and alumni of South Texas College of Law Houston.

Requests for Reciprocity

Requests for reciprocity must be made in writing by a career services/placement official of the requesting law school on the student or graduate’s behalf.

Direct requests to the following:

Mail:

Career Resource Center
South Texas College of Law Houston
1303 San Jacinto Street
Houston, Texas 77002-7006
Email: cso@stcl.edu
Fax: (713) 646-1844

The student or graduate should wait for their copy of the response prior to contacting South Texas College of Law Houston. The individual should bring a copy of their letter when visiting our office.

Duration and Limitations

Reciprocity services are available for a period of four months, beginning with the date on the original correspondence granting reciprocity. Requests may be renewed in the same manner in which the original request was made and only one renewal will be granted during any given year (a total of 8 months in any 12 month period).
Reciprocity will be unavailable and all requests will be denied between August 1 and November 15 of each year due to fall recruiting schedules.
Through mutual agreement, reciprocity services are not made available to students of the other two Houston area law schools.
We will not grant reciprocity to students already taking advantage of reciprocal career services at any other Houston law school. Reciprocity services are only available with one of the Houston area law schools at any given time for the designated subscription period.
The CRC reserves the right to deny services for any reason, including the misuse of the facilities or services or any school surpassing a reasonable number of requests within any academic year. The reciprocity policy of South Texas College of Law Houston may be further amended or restricted if it is deemed necessary to do so in the interest of South Texas College of Law Houston.

Resources Available

Use of the resource materials & NALP publications
Use of on-site computer, phone, fax, & copy machine
Access to the job listings posted by the CRC via Symplicity ($35.00 check made out to “South Texas College of Law Houston” for four months access, which will be granted on the day payment is received)
THESE SERVICES MAY BE LIMITED FURTHER IF THE REQUESTING SCHOOL OFFERS ACCESS THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN DESCRIBED ABOVE (If, for example, the requesting school offers access for a shorter period or does not offer online access to South Texas College of Law Houston then access may be limited to that of the requesting school)

Unavailable Resources

Participation in on-campus interviews & job fairs
Resume forwarding, resume collections, & “blind” job postings
Individual counseling & marketing materials review