UT Law Career Services Programs/Workshops

The programs and activities that make up our Career Development Curriculum are designed with three goals in mind:
* to prepare law students to engage in meaningful self-evaluation of their skills, interests, and career goals;
* to guide students in the development of an effective job search skill set; and
* to provide opportunities for students to learn more about the jobs lawyers take in our society today.

Most programs are conducted in small group settings to encourage individual questions and discussion. These programs supplement the individual student consultation and coaching that begins in the first year of law school and continues throughout the student's law school years.

SPRING SEMESTER 2007 PROGRAMS

Job Search Tool Kit: Resume and Cover Letter Workshop for 1Ls
College of Law Career Center, Suite 250
* Friday, January 12 - 12:20 free hour
* Tuesday, January 16 - 12:20 free hour
The resume and cover letter are basic tools of the job search. Both tools are essential to implement your job search strategy. This presentation will cover the basic format and content of the first-year law student resume and its evolution during three years of law school. You will also learn to compose a cover letter that will complement the resume. Bring a copy of your own resume so you can revise and update as we go!

Interviewing 101: Preparation and Strategy Workshop for 1Ls
College of Law, Room 135
* Wednesday, January 24 - 12:20 free hour
Interview season is here! Learn the differences between your goals and those of employers for the introductory or on-campus interview and the follow-up or call-back interview. We will also talk about: questions you should be prepared to ask and to answer, the "do's" and "don'ts" of a successful interview, and interview etiquette and attire.

Job Search Strategies for 3Ls
College of Law Career Center, Suite 250
* Friday, January 26 - 12: free hour
Many 3Ls seek entry-level positions during their third year and after graduation. Some students are still considering several options, and others are "starting from scratch" after redefining their preferences for the first job after graduation. Come to this workshop to "jump start" your job search.! Topics will include where to find job openings, how to sell yourself as a 3L without having clerked for the organization previously, how to display your interest in a new location or type of job, and how to manage difficult questions in an interview.

Job Search Strategies for 2Ls
College of Law Career Center, Suite 250
* Wednesday, January 31 - 12:20 free hour
If you are seeking a summer clerkship, make plans to attend this workshop for advice on where, when and how to apply.

Mock Interview Program for 1Ls
College of Law Career Center, Suite 250
* Monday, February 5 - Friday, February 9
Career Services and the Knoxville Barristers (Young Lawyer's Division of the Knoxville Bar Association) are co-sponsoring a Mock Interview Program designed to provide a non-threatening environment in which law students can practice their skills in a simulated interview setting with an attorney. Interviewers will provide constructive feedback to help students polish their performance before actual interviews begin. Wear your interview attire and bring several prepared questions to this 30 minute session. Pre-registration is required in the Career Center..

Landing the Summer Job: The Law Firm Perspective
College of Law, room 132
* Wednesday, February 7 - 12:20 free hour
Recruitment and hiring administrators from some of Nashville's largest firms will share their advice on preparing your resume and cover letters, managing the call-back interview, basic business etiquette, attire during the introductory interview and the call-back, and do’s and don’t’s for the summer program. Get the scoop from the experts who deal with student recruitment every day.

The Business of Practicing Law: What Law Firms Expect of their New Lawyers
College of Law, Room 135
* The Lawyer as Team Player - Monday, Feb. 12 - 12:20 free hour
* Producing the Firm’s Work - Wednesday, Feb. 14 - 12:20 free hour
* Practicing Profitably - Monday, Feb. 19 - 12:20 free hour
This three-part program is a joint project of The Association of Legal Administrators (Knoxville Chapter), the Center for Entrepreneurial Law, and the Career Center.

Clerkship 101: Maximizing the Summer Experience
College of Law, Room 135
* Wednesday, February 21 - 12:20 free hour
Law students are rarely taught what they need to know about the management of legal employment settings until they are thrust into new organizations and expected to know what they are doing. In this workshop, current 3Ls and managing/hiring partners from various legal employment settings will discuss managing projects and assignments, interpersonal relationships, using technology, and keeping and recording your time.

The Out of State Job Search for 2Ls & 3Ls
College of Law, Room 136
* Wednesday, February 28 - 12:20 free hour
This workshop will focus on the techniques you need to organize a long distance job search, including assessing job market potential, selling yourself and your legal education, researching employers, convincing them of your sincere interest in them, and finding ways to arrange an interview when distance and cost are barriers.

The Work/Life Balance: Tipping the Scales Your Way
College of Law, Faculty Lounge
* Wednesday, March 7 - 12:20 free hour
Numerous studies of associate retention in law firm settings suggests that both women and men entering the profession today are concerned about balancing their work and personal lives. Learn how to evaluate a potential employer with an eye to your future satisfaction, while still showing a strong work ethic. This interactive session will feature employers who share the methods used by their firms to increase associate satisfaction and affect the culture of their organizations.

Judicial Clerkship Interest Meeting for 1Ls & 2Ls
College of Law, Room 242
* Wednesday, March 21 - 12:20 free hour
Learn about the value of clerking, the duties of a clerk and the application process from professors (and former clerks) Ben Barton, Jennifer Hendricks, Jeff Hirsch, Becky Jacobs, and Gary Pulsinelli.

Business & Professional Etiquette Dinner & Workshop
The Foundry on the World's Fair Site
* Wednesday, March 28 - 6 p.m.
Times may have changed dramatically, but basic manners and business etiquette have not. Legal employers expect students to be as comfortable and capable in the dining room and in other social settings as they are in the courtroom. Learn how to present your best self in the social settings that accompany an interview or a summer job at this workshop and dinner. It will bolster your confidence and help you make a good impression in just about any job-seeking or career-related social setting! Our workshop facilitator will be Mary Mahoney, Assistant Director of campus-wide Career Services at UT. This event is co-sponsored by LexisNexis and the Career Center.

FALL SEMESTER 2006 PROGRAMS

Interviewing 101: Preparation and Strategy Workshop for 2Ls and 3Ls
Bettye B. Lewis Career Center, Suite 250
* Monday, August 28 -10:10-11:00 am
* Wednesday, August 30 - 10:10-11:00 am
* Wednesday, August 30 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
Interview season is here! Learn the differences between your goals and those of employers for the introductory or on-campus interview and the follow-up or call-back interview. We will also talk about: questions you should be prepared to ask and to answer, the "do's" and "don'ts" of a successful interview, and interview etiquette and attire.

Job Search Strategies for 3Ls
Faculty Lounge, Suite 262
* Wednesday, September 6 - 10:10-11:00 am
Many 3Ls seek entry-level positions during their third year and after graduation. Some students are still considering several options, and others are "starting from scratch" after redefining their preferences for the first job after graduation. Come to this workshop to "jump start" your job search.! Topics will include where to find job openings, how to sell yourself as a 3L without having clerked for the organization previously, how to display your interest in a new location or type of job, and how to manage difficult questions in an interview.

Job Market Update for 1Ls, 2Ls & 3Ls
College of Law, Room 135
* Wednesday, September 6 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
Whether you will graduate in 2007, 2008 or 2009, come to this workshop to learn about "the state of the legal job market" based on recently-released data for more than 40,000 graduates from the Class of 2005. What types of jobs do new law graduates accept? What do new law graduates earn? What impact does location have? How do choices by women and minorities compare to those of all graduates? How do law graduates obtain their jobs? How do UT law graduates compare to law graduates nationwide? We'll answer these questions and more. This session is an eye-opener for students at all stages in their career development.

The Out of State Job Search for 2Ls & 3Ls
Bettye B. Lewis Career Center, Suite 250
* Monday, September 11 - 10:10-11:00 am
* Monday, September 11 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
* Wednesday, September 20 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
This workshop will focus on the techniques you need to organize a long distance job search, including assessing job market potential, selling yourself and your legal education, researching employers, convincing them of your sincere interest in them, and finding ways to arrange an interview when distance and cost are barriers.

Job Search Strategies: Targeting Small/Medium Law Firms for 2Ls & 3Ls
Bettye B. Lewis Career Center, Suite 250
* Monday, September 18 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
* Wednesday, September 20 - 10:10-11:00 am
Are you looking for a smaller firm in a large market, or a law firm position in a smaller town or rural area? The steps in the job search process and the timetable for seeking a job in these situations can differ from the search process for large firms, or firms in large cities. Advice in this workshop will focus on law firms in small markets or small-medium firms in larger markets. Learn how smaller firms differ from large firms (and ways in which they are similar), the factors smaller firms consider in hiring clerks or entry-level attorneys, and advice on researching and contacting small/medium sized firms.

What Do Lawyers Do? Alumni Discussion for 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls
Faculty Lounge, Suite 262
* Friday, September 22 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
Members of the Dean's Alumni Advisory Council and Dean's Circle will be invited for an informal discussion of their practices. They will be asked to discuss the evolution of their careers, how they determined the right job setting for them, and the skills that law students should develop in order to succeed in their type of work. A list of participating alumni will be posted the week of the program.

What Do Lawyers Do? Practice Discussions for 1L, 2L, and 3Ls
Faculty Lounge, Suite 262
* Wednesday, October 18 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
* Wednesday, October 25 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
* Wednesday, November 8 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
* Wednesday, November 15 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
Local practitioners will meet with students for an informal discussion of their practices. They will be asked to discuss the evolution of their careers, how they determined the right job setting for them, and the skills that law students should develop in order to succeed in their type of work. A list of practice areas and speakers be posted prior to the program.

Job Search Strategies: The Public Sector & Government Job Search for 2Ls and 3Ls
Bettye B. Lewis Career Center, Suite 250
* Friday, September 8 - 2:30-3:20 pm
* Wednesday, September 13 - 10:10-11:00 am
Learn techniques to identify, research, and apply for positions with public sector employers such as government agencies, public interest organizations, and not-for-profits. The hiring timetable and process is important to understand, as it often differs from private sector employment. You will be introduced to the most useful on-line tools and print resources to you get practical experience that will help lead you to a position in the public sector.

Interest Meeting: Equal Justice Works Career Fair, Conference & Awards Dinner for 1Ls, 2Ls and 3Ls
Bettye B. Lewis Career Center, Suite 250
* Monday, September 25 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
* Wednesday, September 27 - 10:10-11:00 am
Students interested in participating in the Equal Justice Works Career Fair, Conference and Awards Dinner are encouraged to attend to learn more about the 2006 conference, scheduled for October 19 - 20. This event brings together hundreds of people to share information, interview for jobs, and recognize the good works of practitioners, law students and law schools nationwide.

Introduction to the Career Development Process for 1Ls
College of Law, Room 132
* Wednesday, September 13 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
This is an important information session and all 1Ls are urged to attend. Prior to November 1, law schools may offer programs and information for first year students regarding the variety of settings in which lawyers work, the general process of career planning and self-assessment, and the provisions of the NALP Principles and Standards and applicable school policies. This introduction to the career development process will help you understand how Career Center staff will work with you during your years at Tennessee, and help you begin thinking about your career interests in preparation for our Getting To Know You sessions later this semester.

Introduction to the Job Search Process for 1Ls
College of Law, Room 132
* Wednesday, November 1 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
This is an important information session and all 1Ls are urged to attend. You will learn more about what happens in the job search process, such as when to begin and how to target employers based on your interests. We will also discuss spring 2007 recruiting activities and the Career Center Registration Packet, which will be distributed in 1L student mailboxes on October 28.

Career Center Open House for 1Ls
* Thursday, November 2 - 9:00 am-4:30 pm
* Friday, November 3 - 9:00 am-4:30 pm
Come by The Bettye B. Lewis Career Center, Room 250, to register for the 1L sessions Getting to Know You and Using Resources available to you in November.

“Getting To Know You" Individual Sessions for 1Ls
Bettye B. Lewis Career Center, Judges Chambers
* By appointment after November 1 - sign up in the Career Center.
Your individual career development plan will begin to take shape in this session. Bring your (completed) Career Center Registration Packet materials and your most recent resume. You can prepare by considering these questions: How do you see yourself using your law degree? Where do you see yourself upon graduation from law school? If you can imagine your first job out of law school, what would it be? Where do you want to live and work- how open are you geographically? What are your limitations? Are there careers that are unfamiliar to you that you would like to explore during law school?

Job Search Tool Kit: Resume and Cover Letter Workshop for 1Ls
College of Law, Room 135
* Monday, November 6 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
* Monday, November 13 - 12:20-1:10 pm free hour
The resume and cover letter are basic tools of the job search. Both tools are essential to implement your job search strategy. This presentation will cover the basic format and content of the first-year law student resume and its evolution during three years of law school. You will also learn to compose a cover letter that will complement the resume. Bring a copy of your own resume so you can revise and update as we go!

Using Resources in Your Career Exploration and Job Search
Bettye B. Lewis Career Center, Suite 250
* November and December 2006 - session dates and times to be announced.
The volume and array of materials in our Career Center can be bewildering! Sign up for a small group session to learn which resources you will need to conduct a job search and explore various legal and non-traditional careers. These sessions will feature the most-used print resources and on-line search engines.

Overview of Symplicity: The New eAttorney for 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls
College of Law, Room 132
* January 2007 - session dates and times to be announced.
The Career Center will introduce Symplicity, a comprehensive career services database system, in January 2007. Symplicity will replace eAttorney, and students will use Symplicity to register for on-campus interviews and off-campus job fairs and to access job listings. Dates and times for small group training sessions for students will be announced later in Fall Semester 2006.