1L E-Advising

Networking is an essential part of getting to know the world of public interest law. But sometimes, it can feel intimidating to approach a potential contact, or hard to know where to plug in and get started. Review the Q&A below to help make networking a smoother part of your professional journey.

Read our advice on communicating with employers throughout the potentially difficult public interest hiring timeline to make it easier for you to manage your timeline and make your decision.

Unsure about how to begin your summer job search? Contemplating listing your GPA or LSAT score on your resume? Wondering how to describe your non-legal experiences in your cover letter? Nervous about how to respond to e-mails and phone calls from employers? Review our answer some of the most common 1L job search questions.

Interviews take on particular significance with public interest employers, who give tremendous weight to how deeply you are committed to their mission and how well you would fit in with their office. The following resources can help you prepare to put your best foot forward in public interest interviews.

Interested in learning more about public international law work? These resources can help you begin your exploration.

Interested in learning more about nonprofit work? The following resources can help you begin your exploration.

Interested in learning more about private public interest law firms? The following resources can help you begin your exploration.

Interested in learning more about criminal law internships and careers? The following OPIA resources can help you begin your exploration.

A strong resume and cover letter are essential to making a good first impression with a potential summer employer. The following OPIA resources can help you perfect these documents and present your background and experiences in a way that employers will find compelling.

Interested in learning more about government careers? Begin your exploration here.

We are often asked by students interested in public service work about the value of extracurricular involvement; while we cannot offer formal career counseling before October 15, we can help you make choices about extracurricular activities before then.

In an effort to help guide you in your public sector summer job search and beyond, we've answered some common 1L questions about accessing OPIA advisers and services.

We look forward to getting to know you in the coming months and to helping you learn more about public interest career opportunities. Although you cannot receive formal career advising until October 15, you can still take affirmative steps now to begin your career exploration.

Are you beginning to think about your 2L summer and weighing the decision of whether to work in the private sector or the public sector? We in OPIA want every HLS student to feel empowered to make career choices that are the best for their individual interests and circumstances – whether those choices involve work in the public or private sectors.

If you haven’t yet secured an internship for this summer, don’t panic. There are still a number of public interest employers that are actively hiring in late March and into April. If you put in the effort, apply broadly, and are persistent, you WILL find a summer a job.

OPIA has compiled a few key dates that may be useful as you plan your summer internships and other commitments, including the confirmed 2020 EIP dates.

We are often asked by students interested in public service work about how to weigh their wide-ranging academic options while in law school. Our advice gives broad guidance on the choices you may be contemplating.

Advisors are available to help with whatever job search questions you may be facing. If you have concerns or questions about your summer internship search, please make an appointment to discuss them with OPIA.

Attorneys general are independent state constitutional officers vested with extraordinarily broad criminal and civil responsibilities. Learn more about state AG work and resources available to you at HLS.

As a new professional, everything you do will impact your reputation. Put your best foot forward in your job search by following our professionalism tips.