The Importance of Reading (Emails from Your School’s Career Development Office)

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not!"

Since starting law school in August, two things have remained constant each week: I fight a losing battle against Los Angeles traffic almost daily, and I get at least one email from LLS about a networking event, career panel, or job opportunity.

I’ll admit, I tended to overlook emails that didn’t specifically mention public interest opportunities. Around the time on-campus interviews (OCI) began, I started feeling worried about the idea of applying to jobs just for the sake of it—without a real connection to my passion for serving underserved communities. That’s when the Career Development Office announced Loyola’s participation in the SoCal Public Interest/Public Sector Career Day (PICD)—perfect timing.

Scrolling through the list of employers attending PICD gave me the same thrill I felt at my first high school club fair, when I collected as many flyers and handouts as I could from clubs dedicated to helping others. Though I was excited about the opportunity to work with any of these employers, I applied to four non-profits that had either a primary or secondary focus on improving educational equity for students with disabilities in California. I was fortunate to receive interview invitations from two of my top-choice organizations.

After I accepted both invitations, the Career Development Office helped make the whole process feel way less intimidating by connecting me with my advisor, who I scheduled an interview prep meeting with soon after. My advisor created a space where I felt safe asking all sorts of “dumb” questions—though she kindly assured me no such thing existed. After our meeting, she followed up with thoughtful resources specific to the organizations I was interviewing with, which helped me feel more prepared—and only a normal amount of panicked.

Our collaboration paid off when I was offered—and happily accepted—a position as a Summer Advocate with the Lanterman Special Education Legal Clinic. Now, there’s a new constant in my week: picturing the work I’ll get to do and everything I’ll learn in the role.

TOPICS: 1L, Getting A Job, JD Day, Networking