As you return to the classroom as a 3L, this year will likely feel different. Perhaps you have already accepted a job offer or decided to pursue an LLM. Thoughts of “what’s next” are likely at the forefront of your mind—from graduation to becoming a barrister to being sworn in as a practicing attorney. The final stretch is here, whether you’re ready for it or not, and it’s likely to be an exciting – albeit surreal – feeling.
But until then, here are six important steps you can take as an incoming 3L to make the most of your last year of law school, finish well, and properly prepare for what lies ahead come after you earn your JD.
1. Adjust your 3L schedule
It’s tempting to fill your last year of law school with classes that are considered an “easy A” or that classmates recommend because there’s no exam. However, instead of this relaxed approach, there are a variety of classes—clinics, bar exam prep courses, practical skills courses, and practice-specific courses—that you would be wise to take and that will decide for success in the next role.
This is especially true for those 3Ls who now have a better idea of which practice area they will end up in based on their summer placement. It is important to adjust your class schedule to reflect your professional goals. There are definitely a variety of classes that can better prepare you for this, such as secured transactions or oral advocacy for bankruptcy attorneys.
Taking additional real-world practical courses will also provide you with some essential on-the-job training to better prepare you for what your job as a full-time associate will actually look like. And if you’re thinking about becoming a clerk – and another piece of advice would be to apply to them if you’re interested – you should consider working in a clinic, so you can gain invaluable experience with clients and cases. Bloomberg Law’s inaugural Law School Prep Survey found how critical gaining exposure to practical skills is and how most attorneys wish they had learned these skills before practicing.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dive into opportunities that might interest you. It’s a great idea to add some classes on topics you’re passionate about, even though they may not be directly related to your future internship.
2. Take on a mentoring role
In addition to finding the right internship site during your summer, hopefully you also had a mentor who helped you navigate the hard life. There are so many benefits to having a mentor, including building your confidence as a future lawyer.
Now that you’re back in school, you can transfer what you learned over the summer to your fellow 1L and 2L students—essentially being a mentor to them. You can share the value of mentoring by providing them with any key insights you wish you knew when you were in their shoes.
And mentoring opportunities should not be limited to those 3Ls who have worked at law firms. Sharing any government, non-profit, and non-traditional summer experiences with your fellow students can help them figure out which career move is best for them.
3. Keep networking
Networking doesn’t have to stop just because summer is over or because you’ve secured a job after graduation. It’s important to remember that your professors and classmates are a large part of your legal network and can be vital resources to draw upon in your future career.
Plan to meet with a professor who has had a positive impact on you. You can even go the extra mile and handwrite them thank you notes as the school year winds down to express your appreciation.
Also be sure to ask around and find out where your classmates will be landing after graduation and congratulate them on these positions. You never know who might end up in the same firm or country as you. Building this network now can only help you later.
4. Stay in touch with your future employer
Staying involved, even remotely, with hard work will serve you well when you return full time.
This may include sending the attorneys you worked closely with a message every now and then to keep your name on their mind when you return, and keeping up with any legal news about their cases so you can stay on top of things. of your game when you start as a first-year associate.
Also plan to stay up-to-date with any general news about your future employer and its major clients. You can do this by setting up file and news alerts to make sure you don’t miss anything important. Many attorneys also like to post big news on LinkedIn and Twitter, so be sure to connect with them on these platforms if you haven’t already.
5. Take care of yourself and have fun
If you’re starting at a firm after law school, nothing can really prepare you for the late nights and long hours that can come with being a first-year associate. This makes it more critical now than ever to take care of yourself and enjoy the free time you have during this last year of school. This doesn’t mean you have to give up on your courses, but rather take advantage of the time you have by making time to do the things you love. Be sure to practice setting boundaries and focus on your work-life balance before diving full-force into the strong culture.
Also allow yourself to have fun. In just nine months, you won’t pass your classmates in the halls, so spend as much time with them as possible. After graduation, you will have survived three grueling years of law school together and built a bond that few will understand. Your school likely offers events such as Barristers Balls and public interest auctions, and being a 3L provides the perfect time to enjoy this time with your classmates.
6. Explore Alternative Career Paths
Some of you who have gone through law firms may have realized that law firm life wasn’t for you, and that’s okay! Or maybe you already knew that and chose a non-traditional summer job. While this may seem scary or intimidating, because these types of careers don’t always yield offers until the end of the summer or pay, like law firm jobs, don’t be discouraged just because your peers have accepted offers.
The best thing you can do is stay proactive. Talk to your professors and career services if you’re unsure about your next move. Do your research and keep applying, because there are a number of employers out there who are hiring recent law graduates from now until graduation and beyond. As someone who is now working in an alternative career (and loving it!), I can say with confidence that the right career is out there, and sometimes it just takes a little more effort to find it.
Linked content is available for free on our site In focus: Lawyer’s well-being page. Bloomberg Law subscribers can find additional content geared toward the firm’s associates, including practice guides, workflow tools, surveys, and more on our site. In focus: Key skills – litigation AND In focus: Lawyer Development pages.
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