Upper year advice for applications, interviews, and morale
In the annual law school life cycle, January marks the beginning of the 1L summer frenzy for Osgoode students looking to find work. While the east coast and the Ottawa intellectual property recruits for 1L happened in first semester, the beginning of this semester is when students begin applying for other opportunities, mostly in Ontario.
While there are some law-related opportunities, many students also spend their time in the non-law world. Students spend their summers working, volunteering, travelling, or simply enjoying their time off after a grueling first year. Here is a round-up of several opportunities provided through Osgoode for the summer alongside advice from upper-year students on how to handle the semester ahead.
Clinical and intensive programs
Last year, there were sixteen clinical and intensive programs with 256 students enrolled in total. This year, Osgoode has eighteen programs open to students of all years to apply to. They cover a variety of practice areas and skill-building opportunities, including the Disability Law Intensive, the Intensive Program in Indigenous Lands, Resources and Governments, the Osgoode Mediation Clinical Program, and the Intellectual Property Law and Intensive Program. This year the applications are due on January 24, applications are reviewed, interviews are held between January 25 – February 12, and first round of offers are released on February 18.
3L student Randy Ramoodit worked at the Community & Legal Aid Services Program (CLASP) and as a Research Assistant (RA) in his 1L summer. For those anxious about applications, he wants students to know that “all the legal jobs [he has had], hired [him] with no job experience in their practice areas.”
“My main tips for job applications are be very clear why you are interested in that area of law, practice your interviewing skills with upper years, and make sure you have a strong cover letter [and] resume” he said.
Barbara Brown, 2L student, worked at Parkdale Community Legal Services (PCLS) and as an RA in her 1L summer. She stresses the importance of talking to current and previous students when applying to intensive programs.
“Based on your interests [and] goals, they can warn you off some clinics and point you in the right direction for others.” Her advice hints at the importance of being intentional with your applications.
“Talking with upper years is also super valuable for getting a sense of what personality types the clinic [and/or] intensive is attracted to, which will let you know what to highlight in your application and whether you want to work there at all,” Brown said.
3L student Victoria Peter cautions students to be aware of the distinction between high interest clinical programs – such as CLASP and PCLS – and smaller programs.
“The former you have to fight for a position in, the latter will try to sell you what the program is, and it may or may not be that,” Peter said.
Veromi Arsiradam, 2L student, worked through the Anti-Discrimination Intensive Program (ADIP) in their 1L summer. Arsiradam underscored three key elements students should display when applying for clinical and intensive programs: passion, self-reflection, and voice.
Show your passion in applications and in-person interviews, they said. “What aspects of the program interest you? In what ways can you contribute positively to the program? How might participation in the program serve as a valuable learning experience for larger goals that you have?” Arsiradam prompted.
Arsiradam encouraged students to convey their strengths while being open about skills the program can give back to students.
“Clinical and intensive programs are designed to provide you with experiential learning opportunities, so if you already know everything (or think you do), then it may not be a worthwhile program for you. Think about [the] skills that you’re lacking or could benefit from improving, then identify whether and how the programs can help fill the gaps in your knowledge or experience,” Arsiradam advised, stressing the importance of demonstrating self-reflection and awareness of your skills and limitations.
Lastly, Arsiradam encouraged students to maintain a unique voice through the process.
“Once you’ve researched the programs, viewed sample cover letters, and solicited advice from others, use your discretion about what to follow and where to take the lead. Avoid following samples too closely – feel free to draw on them as a guide, but let your own voice come through in the applications and interviews,” they said. “What makes you or your experiences unique? What is your story? Communicate in a way that feels true to you.”
Research assistantships
Many students work as research assistants in the summer and throughout the school year. In 2019, there was $50,000 awarded in work-study and RA positions in total.
Peter continues to work with the professor she worked for in her 1L summer, who said he “often hires students who reach out to him asking for work.” Peter said students should not be afraid to ask a professor if they need any research assistants for projects in the summer.
The same approach proved successful for Brown as well. She cold emailed a professor whose work she found interesting and secured an RA position without going through a formal application and interview process.
“The worst you’ll hear is ‘no’ and even then, they’ll be aware that you’re interested later on if they get something later,” Peter reminded students.
Ian Scott Public Interest Internship Program
In addition to public interest opportunities offered through the clinical and intensive programs, Osgoode offers grants to students working at other public interest organizations – such as legal aid clinics, advocacy organizations, and nongovernmental organizations – often for no or low wages. In the summer of 2019 there were ten Ian Scott Public Interest Internship Awards granted in total; the same numbers were true for the summer of 2018 as well.
In 2019, most of the awards were granted for organizations in the Greater Toronto Area, such as Rainbow Railroad, Innocence Canada, and Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation. However, one award was also given for an internship in Bangkok, Thailand at Asylum Access Thailand.
The 1L summer recruit
The Law Society of Ontario regulates recruiting for articling students, 2L students, and 1L students. For 1L students, firms are not allowed to set application deadlines before January 22 this year. Any applications received by 5:00 p.m. EST that day are to be given equal consideration. Call day – when firms get in touch with students for interviews – is February 7, with interviews happening from February 18 – February 20. Offers are made on February 20. This year the Career Development Office has created a recruitment guide with at least twelve employers recruiting 1L students this summer.
Karin Kazakevich, 2L student, worked at Dentons last summer. She encouraged students to conduct mock interviews and ask upper years for help. Most importantly, Kazakevich stresses the importance of believing in yourself in combatting imposter syndrome.
“Don’t underestimate yourself and your experience. It is very easy to fall into the trap of thinking that employers are looking for one cookie cutter candidate – they are not! Be authentic and don’t be afraid to share what makes you unique and worth investing in,” she said. “Also, challenge yourself to be confident. Even if you might not feel that way (#impostersyndrome), as the classic saying goes, ‘fake it ’till you make it.’”
3L student Robert Mackenzie participated in the 1L recruit, interviewed at three different firms and while he didn’t receive an offer through the 1L recruit, he spun it around and got a job in New York for his 2L summer. In his 1L summer, Mackenzie worked as an RA and a bartender.
His advice focuses on practical tips for the recruit, including the importance of preparing materials early and having them peer reviewed. He also encouraged students to ask experienced upper year students about the process and ask them specifics about expected interview questions, answers they gave, and questions the students asked the interviewees. Mackenzie also said it is important to read up on the area of law that the firm, employer, and interviewer specialize in as well as areas you may be interested in. He suggested using the Career Development Office for interview prep and material review, and to “practice your ‘pitch’” – your response to the ‘tell me about yourself’ question.
Sobering reminders about 1L summer and future prospects
Despite providing the plethora of advice, many upper years stressed that you don’t need a legal job in your 1L summer to be successful for future recruits.
Sarah Kucharczuk, 2L student, worked at CLASP in her 1L summer but underscored you do not need to do something law-related in 1L at all.
“It’s very stressful at the time, but you really could do anything interesting in the summer and still stand out in the 2L recruit. If you don’t get something law-related, travel, work at summer camp, retail or the food industry,” Kucharczuk says. “As long as you do something that shows you’re passionate and hardworking, you will stand out!”
Ramoodit conveyed a similar sentiment: “There is literally no need to worry about the type of job you get. Many may become self-conscious about being rejected from the places they wanted or become envious. If you really wanted a corporate job and didn’t get it, do not worry about [it],” he said. “It is extremely early in your career and you will not know what you enjoy until you actual[ly] start working. Not being hired in your ideal position will not make or break your upper job pool. I can say all the legal jobs I had/have, hired me with no job experience in their practice areas.”
For those worried about getting a job, he said that many job applications spring up when students least expect it and cold calling does work for many people.
Most importantly, Ramoodit concluded his advice by reminding students to separate the recruitment process from your self-esteem.
“No matter what [anyone] says or what job you land you should not take it as [a] reflection of your worth. You are a person of value and anyone would be lucky [to] hire you!”