You got a summer job offer…now what?

You worked really hard in the fall, had a great resume, interview prepped with your advisor, and crushed the interview.? While it’s still very early to secure a summer position, some employers are making offers.? We encourage you to carefully consider an offer before accepting it.? Sometimes, it is even acceptable to request more time to make your final decision.??

Here are our top questions to consider when you have received an offer and when weighing the pros and cons of different summer employers.? We recommend researching these questions online, meeting with your advisor, and talking with students/alumni who have worked for this employer so that you can make an informed decision.? These questions should only be asked directly of employers if you have conducted thorough research and are not finding the answer.?

What type of legal experience will I receive???

• Is the subject matter broad or niche?? Broad subject matter can be great if you are not quite sure what area of law(s) you are interested in.? Niche subject matter can be great if you think you know what you would like to do in the future and want to get hands-on experience in that area.
• Does the legal internship include things like drafting, researching, or communicating with clients? This is the experience you should be seeking as a law student instead of work that is administrative or clerical.
• Will this experience yield a writing sample? Some internships require research and writing and therefore, you might end up with a writing sample, but others will not.
• Are there associated networking and/or mentorship opportunities?? Some internships will expose you to events such as lunch-and-learns, field trips, and webinars.
• Will you be able to appear in court?? Certain offices (Public Defender, City Attorney, and District Attorney) may allow Certified Legal Interns to appear in Court upon receiving PTLS certification.

What is the training like for interns??

• This does not necessarily need to be a structured training program.? Training can also come in the form of resources, access to mentorship, or regular feedback.?

Who would be supervising me??

• Will the employer have an attorney supervisor for you to access with your questions?? This person can become a wonderful mentor and help with future references/ letters of recommendation.

What is the reputation of this employer in the legal community??

• With this employer on your resume, your reputation will be connected to theirs.? It is very important to conduct research on a potential employer before accepting a position.

Is the position paid?

• Remember the Non-Profit and Public Sector Fellowship Funding Guide and Application will be available February 15 for students who accept an unpaid summer position with a non-profit or government agency. The priority deadline to apply is March 31.

Your advisor can help you throughout this process.? Make an appointment via #HireUSDLaw.