December 13, 2012
In 2011, a revitalized Career
Development Office opened its doors with a mission to help St.
John’s law students and graduates find rewarding work in the law
and in other professional pursuits. “We know that the most
successful students in the job search process are those who
discover a path, take courses in that area, gain experiences
through externships and clinics and network through Law School
events, student organizations and co-curricular activities,” said
Dean
Michael A. Simons. “In rethinking our approach to career
development, it was clear that we needed to be more integrative and
proactive in helping students gain the tools and skills they need
to succeed in today’s legal market.”
Reconceived in this way, career development infuses the Law
School’s offerings from orientation through graduation, ensuring
that students are not just getting a degree, but are actively
building a path to the profession. That pathway includes
foundational courses, advanced courses, drafting courses, clinics,
field placements, and extra-curricular activities ― all focused on
developing practical skills and targeted expertise so that our
graduates are profession-ready. As part of this holistic approach
to career development, this fall, the Law School launched a
seven-week ungraded Career Development course for 1Ls taught
by:
-
Larry Cunningham, Associate Dean for Student Services
- Jeanne Ardan, Director, Career Development Office
- Christopher McKittrick, Writing Specialist, Career Development
Office
- Helena Rojas Quinn, Associate Director, Career Development
Office
The new course aims to provide an introduction to the skills law
students need to conduct a successful job search. Through classroom
work, mock interviews, writing and technology assignments and
specially designed events, students learn about the job market, the
range of summer and permanent positions available, constructing a
resume and cover letter, interviewing skills, conducting online job
searches, building a professional network and expectations during
the job search.
The course opened with a September 28, 2012 Student-Alumni
Career Conference featuring 40 Law School alumni presenters
organized into panels representing diverse career pathways,
including:
- Bankruptcy Law
- Civil Litigation
- Criminal Law
- Family Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Labor and Employment Law
- Environmental Law
- Tax Law
- Corporate Law
- Securities Law
Conference Photo Gallery 1
Conference Photo Gallery 2
Panelists gave the 1Ls and upper level students in attendance real
world perspective on the different practice areas and related
skills and advised them on how to break into the field. Students
also had time to network with alumni during the event. “The
Student-Alumni Career Conference was a wonderful way to kick-off
the Law School’s dynamic new approach to career development,” said
participant Nicholas M. Cannella ’75, Chair of the Law School
Alumni Association's Career Development Committee. “We alumni
thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to introduce a new generation of
students to the broad practice spectrum in which St. John’s lawyers
have enjoyed rewarding and successful careers. And, honestly, it
was simply energizing to meet and speak with the students. What a
terrific group of future practitioners.”
Over the next several weeks, students worked on class assignments,
submitted resumes and cover letters for review and participated in
mock interviews. “The students’ response to the Career Development
Course was very positive,” said Jeanne Ardan, Director of Career
Development. “They were attentive during classes and offered
thoughtful comments and questions. As a result, the initial drafts
of the application documents that students submitted to their
career counselors for critiquing were of high quality.
Additionally, by providing students with detailed information on
job search strategies and interviewing from the outset, the career
development course prepared students to approach the processes with
confidence and vigor.”
They also attended a panel program on Careers in Law and Religion
sponsored by the Law School’s
Center for Law and Religion and learned about practicing in the
field of sports and entertainment law from M. Quentin Williams ’91
at a lunch event hosted by the
Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Society. Rounding out the
events was a very popular panel program on how to ace an interview
with a district attorney's office. Moderated by Kimathi
Gordon-Somers, Associate Director of Career Development and
Coordinator of the Externship Program, the speakers included:
- Dennis T. Brogan ’02, Kings County District Attorney’s
Office
- Scott Kessler, Adjunct Professor of Law, Queens County District
Attorney’s Office
- Angel Marshall ’08, New York County District Attorney’s
Office
- Nicholas Mauro ’04, New York County District Attorney’s
Office
- Jed Painter ’07, Nassau County District Attorney’s Office
- Pishoy Yacoub ’05, Bronx County District Attorney’s Office
Careers in Law and Religion Photo Gallery
"Our number one priority as a law school is helping students
succeed in their career development,” Dean Cunningham said. “The
Student-Alumni Career Conference and wonderful events that followed
anchored and enhanced the new Career Development course. We are
grateful for the outpouring of support from alumni, who have so
generously volunteered their time to speak with students, and look
forward to continuing the collaboration in the months and years
ahead."