OCS is launching a new advising program for the Class of 2023, where your first appointment will be with an advisor and small group of students from your section who share similar career interests. If you haven’t already done so, complete your 1L Survey as soon as possible if you would like to participate in an OCS small group session. If you indicated in your 1L Survey that you wanted your first appointment to be with OCS, you will be scheduled for a small group meeting at a time that works with your academic schedule and will be notified of the date, time, and Zoom information for during the week of October 19. Individual appointments will be available in the spring term when the 1L job search is in full swing.

See the recent message from OCS and OPIA for more details. We look forward to working with you.

OCS is currently working remotely. All advising appointments and walk-ins will take place through Zoom video conferencing.

• Your Advising Appointment: See OCS Zoom Advising Appointments and Walk-Ins Information for instructions on how to contact your advisor for your appointment.
• Installing Zoom: For initial installation instructions and troubleshooting see the HLS site on Zoom Videoconferencing for HLS Faculty, Staff and Students.

OCS is currently conducting all appointments remotely via Zoom video conferencing. When you select an advising appointment you will receive a confirmation email with the information necessary for contacting your advisor. See OCS Zoom Advising Appointments and Walk-Ins Information for instructions on how to contact your advisor for your appointment.

Please note that during certain times of the year many people are eager to speak with an advisor and appointments fill up quickly. We try our best to meet demand, but if you are having trouble finding an open spot please email us at ocs@law.harvard.edu.

Before your appointment, please review the alumni section of the website. This will allow you to become familiar with our alumni resources and make the most of your half hour appointment. The following pages may answer many of your common questions:

• Job searching while clerking
• Finding a job at another law firm
• Moving in-house
• Moving into the public sector
• Recommended headhunters
• General job listings

OCS advisors, all of whom have law degrees and years of practice experience, are available daily for one-on-one appointments Monday through Friday year-round.  OCS advises current students with a focus on private sector careers and judicial clerkships. We work closely with our sister office, the Office of Public Interest Advising (OPIA), who advise students and alumni on public sector career pursuits.

Individual career counseling can cover a range of topics including but not limited to:

• Self Assessment
• Job search strategies
• Mock interviews
• Networking
• Resume and cover letter review
• Career transitions
• Evaluation of offers

Review the OCS Services page for a full list of our services.

If you must cancel or reschedule an appointment, please do so through the on line system at least 24 hours in advance. If advance notice is not possible, please email the OCS office.

For law teaching appointments, please contact Susannah Barton Tobin, Assistant Dean for Academic Career Advising at stobin@law.harvard.edu.