Find Summer Employment in 7 Steps

If you are currently looking for summer employment, follow these helpful suggestions for finding a legal internship.

1. Check the JobNet on the CSO’s Symplicity site.
   Many small firms begin posting summer positions late in the spring semester. As of April 12th, there are currently 80 summer internships posted on the JobNet section of the CSO's Symplicity site. Last year, 72 summer internships were posted between April 1^st and June 30^th.
2. Check other on-line resources.
   Do not limit your search to any single job posting site; instead, look in a variety of places. The Job Search Resources handout found in the document library on Symplicity offers a helpful list of other various job search websites depending on your interest.
3. Request reciprocity.
   If you are looking for employment out of state, you may be able to request reciprocity from a law school career services office in that state in order to access their job postings. To learn about the program and to complete a request form, visit the reciprocity information page on our website.
4. Contact firms and organizations directly.
   Do not wait for a job to be posted. Be proactive in your job search by contacting firms and organizations directly. Use the Targeting Small to Medium-Sized Firms Using Martindale-Hubble handout as well as the specialized career guides located in the Documents & Handouts section of Symplicity to do a targeted search of organizations within your area of interest. Stay organized and follow up with each employer you contact as you would when applying for posted jobs.
5. Network.
   According to the 2010 Summer Employment Survey, most students found their summer job through informal means, either through a referral from someone they knew or through networking and self-initiated contact. Don’t know where to start? Read the networking sections of this blog and the Career Services Handbook located on Symplicity.
6. Be flexible.
   If you have a car, look for opportunities outside of major metropolitan areas. Also consider taking an unpaid position and balancing your time with a paid non-legal position. The more flexible you are regarding pay and location, the better your chances are for finding summer employment.
7. Contact the Career Services Office.
   Send us your resume and cover letters to be reviewed, schedule a mock interview appointment to improve your interview skills, and meet with a counselor to go over your individual job search needs. We are here to help and look forward to hearing from you!