Public Interest

You have successfully navigated the summer job search, and you begin your internship full of excitement and optimism. But what if, in the middle of your summer, you’re not having the experience you’d hoped for? Perhaps you’re not getting enough work, or enough supervision. Or, maybe you’re getting too much work, or are confused about how to approach a project, or are feeling overwhelmed. Here are some suggestions for addressing some common summer internship challenges students face.

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.

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.

We know it may seem early to start thinking about your post-graduate job search as a 2L. However, your 2L spring is the best time to check out our 3L Guide to Entry-Level Post-Graduate Jobs, start monitoring fellowship and entry-level job deadlines, and make an appointment with an OPIA adviser to position you for success in your search.

If you have questions or concerns about your summer job search, please make an appointment or visit our daily drop-in office hours. Advisers are available to help with whatever job search questions you may be facing.

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 this Q&A to help make networking a smoother part of your professional journey.

OPIA staff discuss factors to consider when choosing a 2L summer job.

A few plaintiffs’ firms and several litigation boutiques participate in EIP, but most plaintiffs’ firms and private public interest law firms (PPILFs) do not participate in campus recruiting programs like EIP or V-PIIP. Learn more about how the hiring processes differ with these types of firms.

Watch our panel of HLS alumni speak about their own journey from practicing at a law firm to a public interest career. Of varied backgrounds, our alums will share what they did to successfully make the transition and what they experienced along the way.

Watch this panel discussion with public-interest-minded current students as they reflect on their own decisions about whether to participate in EIP.

Explore the possibilities of gaining 2 years of support at the job of your dreams with an innovative project at a U.S.-based organization by hearing from the Equal Justice Works Foundation.

Learn about entry-level and post-clerkship job search topics like how to get started, what hiring mechanisms different types of employers use, and how to find job opportunities.

"I have never worried about the 'perfect path'."

"I could never have anticipated that I would end up doing what I do now."

"I had no problem getting interviews."

"Make space for an unplanned journey."

"There is no wrong path--only a wealth of choices."

"Your first job is not necessarily your final job!"

"I felt a bit insecure because my path didn't align with what I expected or what I saw others doing."

"I was concerned that my experience was too narrow."