1L Job Search E-Advising Series: Extracurriculars
We know that many of you are considering whether – and to what extent – you’d like to become involved in the myriad student activities available to the law school community. 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 extracurriculars before then. Broad guidance on those choices can be found below, but please note that it is impossible to truly provide “one-size-fits-all” advice. Feel free to come to our drop-in office hours to have a conversation tailored to your individual goals.
Public interest employers will look for a demonstrated commitment to public interest law as evidenced through your internships, clinic work, coursework, and extracurricular activities. Some employers will look for a specific commitment to their particular practice setting or issue area; all employers will look for demonstrated practical lawyering skills, including – depending on the employer – analytical, research, and writing skills; client counseling skills; oral advocacy skills; proficiency in languages other than English; and negotiation skills. Extracurricular activities can offer opportunities to begin exploring your interests, building your public interest experience, and developing important proficiencies for practice.
With this general background in mind, we recommend the following:
link-groups
- Get Involved - As Your Bandwidth Permits
- Consider a Student Practice Organization (SPO)
- Commit to No More than One Journal
- Build Towards Leadership Positions Over Time
- Get to Know Faculty
Get Involved - As Your Bandwidth Permits
Harvard Law School is rigorous, and 1L year can be a particularly challenging adjustment. We have seen little correlation between 1L grades and extracurricular involvement, and a significant correlation between extracurricular involvement and student well-being.
Extracurricular activities are a way to enrich your law school experience and find classmates with similar interests. Of course, you know yourself best – if you will need to be completely focused on your studies to do well, then continue that singular focus, at least during your first semester. But if you feel that you have the bandwidth to manage law school study as well as other activities, consider diversifying the ways you spend your time during your first semester or year at HLS. Remember, you can be selective in choosing just a few extracurriculars – you don’t have to (and can’t) do it all.
Consider a Student Practice Organization (SPO)
Students consistently rank SPOs among their most meaningful law school experiences. Not only will SPOs teach you important lawyering skills and put some of what you are learning into practical context, but many employers will also value the experience you gain in them far more than your participation in other clubs or activities.
Commit to No More than One Journal
Journals can serve as a foundation upon which to build strong research and writing skills. Although you may want to try out several of them, most students ultimately commit to a single journal, and we recommend limiting your time and effort in your 1L year to just one, as well.
Build Towards Leadership Positions Over Time
Employers will primarily look for evidence of teamwork, experience with populations they serve, and other relevant skills when assessing your strengths as a candidate. Although some public service employers do value leadership during law school, you do not need to start – or even run – your own student organization.
Get to Know Faculty
It is important to take advantage of opportunities to develop relationships with at least several faculty members during your 1L year, either through your classes, your section, a reading group in an area of professional interest, a program of study, an extracurricular activity, or by volunteering to do research. Not only will these connections make for a more enjoyable law school experience, but you may also find you need references before the beginning of your 2L year, particularly if you are considering applying for clerkships.