Networking
Isaac and I have been compiling a list of things he needs to do while in law school to help promote him and make connections for future jobs/career help.
These are our ideas:
1) Join local bar association: Virginia Beach Bar Association
2) Join local Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
3) Join local American Inns of Court
4) Join student bar association (However he won't be able to make many contacts except for fellow classmates here.)
5) Find local attorney through one of these above mentioned groups that he gets along with to mentor Isaac
6) "With one of its primary offices located on the Virginia Beach campus, law students may obtain volunteer and paid positions to assist ACLJ staff attorneys as they provide legal services for clients involved in pro-family and pro-liberty cases."
7) If allowed, get a business card made with your contact info and “JD candidate 2009” printed on it. When someone gives you their card, return the favor and hand them yours. Keep those cards in a rolodex and try to contact the legal professionals once a month with an update on what he's doing, and questions for them that show he appreciates their feedback.
8) Offer to be a research assistant for a professor he likes. Be sure to pick a class he likes or a professor that publishes in an area of law that interests him.
9) Become a bar/bri representative for his school.
10) If possible, other ongoing mentorship’s with an alumni or even an upper-class law student.
Often good networking can lead to a job, or someone recommending you to another, or getting your resume to someone you would not normally be able to contact. Law is a close nit profession, so your reputation is everything. Sometimes your connections may create a job or internship just for you if they are impressed by you. Other times you may find out from a contact about an unadvertised position, thus limiting your competition to land that spot.
Ok... Now I want to hear your ideas. Many of you are very successful in your fields and have gotten to where you are through vital networking.