The Social Innovation Fellows Program supports selected students across Harvard – known as SICI Fellows – advancing progress on a social problem through an effort of their own design. Through weekly co-curricular programming, coaching, mentoring, and seed funding (up to $30K), it provides a platform for students to develop and scale efforts while in school and post-graduation. The application opens on May 8.

Once you identify jobs for which you would like to apply, it is time to start preparing your application materials. During your 2L summer, complete the following to prepare materials for an entry-level public interest job search.

Government Honors Programs are the most common pathway for 3Ls and certain recent graduates to enter government service. In preparation for your 3L year, you should start to get familiar with these opportunities now.

Are you interning in government this summer? Would you like to connect with other students who are doing so, and attend online panels this summer with HLS alumni who have had fantastic government experiences at the federal, state and/or local levels? If so, plan to attend the kickoff lunch for this year's Heyman Summer Program on Monday, April 20th from 12:30 to 1:15 in Milstein East A. You’ll have the chance to connect with other students interning in your city, or in comparable offices in other cities, and to hear about plans for summer virtual programming. Please RSVP so we can get a headcount for lunch.

Speaking with attorneys practicing in your areas of interest is a critical component of a successful post-graduate job search. Here are some ways you can maximize your networking opportunities this summer and beyond.

In this new video, hear from OPIA’s Fellowships Director about the different types of fellowships, how to identify the right fit for your individual interests and goals, the typical action steps and timeline required for fellowship applications, and practical tips for a successful fellowship experience. Watch the video.

Spring of your 3L year is the best time to start preparing for your post-clerkship public interest job search. Watch or listen to the Entry-Level Job Search webinar to get your post-clerkship job search questions about getting started, how to decide what jobs to pursue, what employers are looking for, and how to find job opportunities answered by the knowledgeable OPIA advisers.

Spring of your 2L year is the best time to start preparing for your post-graduate public interest job search. Watch or listen to the Entry-Level Job Search webinar to get your entry-level job search questions about getting started, how to decide what jobs to pursue, what employers are looking for, and how to find job opportunities answered by the knowledgeable OPIA advisers.

Recently launched under the leadership of former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, the Center for Law and the Economy at Columbia Law School aims to support students interested in antitrust law, competition policy, and questions of market and financial power.  The Center has invited HLS students to sign up for its Law and Economy Student Network.  Sign up to join the network and learn about events with scholars and policymakers, mentorship opportunities, and more.

Searching for post-graduate job opportunities can feel daunting – or even overwhelming. We can help you get started by breaking down the process into more manageable chunks. Here are the four primary ways to search for entry-level job opportunities.

At OPIA, our goal is to help you find a great public interest job and avoid the common mistakes that can derail your job search. Take a moment to review our list of common job search mistakes so you can avoid them along the way! 

The following housing swap opportunity was shared with OPIA.

While the public sector is extremely varied, most employers are looking for a core set of skills. These are skills you may already have and should continue to develop during law school through internships, clinics, and coursework.

Have you finalized your plans for after graduation?  Send a note with your latest update to Jillian Tuck, Associate Director for LLM Advising, at jtuck@law.harvard.edu.  If you need additional career support, stop by Jillian’s drop-in hours or make an appointment in CSM.

OPIA recently hosted a panel of HLS alumni to speak about their transitions from practicing at law firms to public interest careers. Watch or listen to the video to hear about what they did to successfully make the transition and what they experienced along the way. The panel offered tips on how best to use your time in law school and early in your career to ensure that if you choose, you can achieve the same success.

During the week of August 10-15, CEO will host 10-12 law students from around the country at its fifth annual Civil Rights Fellowship in Washington, D.C. The application deadline is April 15, 2026.

As you develop your plans for your post-graduate public interest job search, you may be considering applying to fellowships, government honors programs, and/or direct entry-level positions. Along with these options, you may be wondering about whether to include clerkship applications.

We strongly encourage you to apply for fellowships to support the work that excites you. Because many fellowships require you to pursue a project with a host organization and some fellowships have very early deadlines, it is important to begin preparing NOW.

You are encouraged to apply for the Borchard Fellowship even if you have not worked on Elder Law issues in the past. An Elder Law lens can often be applied to the work you’re doing whether it involves housing, employment, health issues, or criminal law. Past fellows have worked on issues ranging from immigration detention to consumer affairs. For assistance with your application, set up an appointment with Judy Murciano or attend Judy’s drop-in hours.

Because many fellowships require you to pursue a project or position with a host organization and some fellowships have early deadlines, it is important to begin preparing during your 2L spring for the fellowship application process.

We are often asked by students interested in public service work about how to weigh their wide-ranging academic options while in law school. This advice is meant to offer broad guidance on the choices you may be contemplating. Please note that it is impossible to truly provide “one-size-fits-all” advice — if you have questions about particular options and how they might relate to your career plans, be sure to seek out an OPIA adviser.