Inside information about getting that summer position

George Read Chapter hosts its first, "What I did over my summer vacation" discussion with 2L and 3L panelists.

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"What I did over my summer vacation" Panelists and George Read Chapter's Professional Development committee (from Left to Right): Josh Inkel (Panelist and former PAD Justice), Ashley Talley (Panelist and PAD Academic Chairperson), David Walker (Panelist and PAD member), Matthew Bilker (Panelist),  Robert Schweiger (PAD member), Danielle Strauch (Panelist and PAD Extended Division Liaison Executive Board Member),  Aaron Stullman (Panelist), Charles Glass (PAD member), Chris Goldschmidt (Panelist), Kaitlyn O'Neil (PAD member), Clint Orem (PAD Professional Development Chairperson and Panel Moderator), AJ Viray (PAD member), Dan Rapoport (PAD member), and Joe Greco (PAD member)

Halloween is over, midterms have been graded, and finals are looming.  On top of all that, 1Ls are finally allowed to begin to search for summer positions.  However, where should a 1L start looking?  What positions should they think about applying to?  What options are even available to them?

With these questions in mind, the George Read chapter hosted the first annual, "What I did over my summer vacation" discussion with 2L and 3L panelists.  This discussion was primarily geared to a 1L audience, however, the information was still relevant for upperclassmen.

The professional development committee picked a panel of 7 students who all had different summer experiences:

Chris Goldschmidt: Associate at a personal injury firm.

David Walker: Internship with the World Health Organization.

Ashley Talley: Studying Abroad in Switzerland.

Danielle Strauch: Judicial Clerkship

Matthew Bilker: Prosecutor's Office

Aaron Stullman: Bankruptcy Court Clerkship

Josh Inkell: JAG program

The entire panel gave incredibly important information to the crowd of 30+ students. One of their main points seemed to center around networking. Many of the panelists discussed how important using your network is in order to get your foot in the door for a summer position. Speaking with Alumni, professors, and fellow students about your goals for your legal career can really set up great conversations that lead to getting your resume' in front of the right person.

From Left to Right: Chris Goldschmidt, David Walker, Ashley Talley, Clint Orem, Danielle Strauch, Matthew Bilker, Aaron Stullman, and Josh Inkell

Moreover, the panel discussed the importance of a properly written resume', and a customized, individual cover letter for every position a student applies for. Having many sets of eyes looking over your resume' to help polish it and make your strengths shine may mean the difference between the trash bin and the “call back” pile. Furthermore, your application is initially mixed in with dozens and dozens of other students'. Making your cover letter personal towards that particular firm instead of having one general “form” letter makes you stand out from the crowd.

Finally, the panel discussed the minor little things that always seem to weigh on students' minds as they apply for positions. First, get used to rejection. If you dwell on one “no”, you lose valuable time in searching out another position to apply for. Second, do not be scared to do follow-up calls to those firms/offices you have submitted your resumes to. Ideally, you should wait a few weeks, and keep on being persistent. Lastly, if you have to settle on something that is not ideal for you and your legal career goals, still try to get as much out of your experience as possible. You never know when someone you meet at that position can help you out in the future in getting the dream position you want.

All in all, the discussion among the panelists and the audience was an incredible way to get inside knowledge about the summer position searching process. It was great that these 2Ls and 3Ls took time out of their day to reach out to their 1L brethren, and gave amazing advice.

Posted by:  Andrew Quietmeyer