What is Search Before the Search?

 

The Search Before the Search is an initiative developed for first-year students by OPICS and OCS in partnership with the Office of the Dean of Students to enhance students’ professional development and career placement.  The goals of SBTS are to encourage students to be reflective about their individual strengths, values and goals; to educate them about the breadth of careers in the law; to consider how different legal settings align with their strengths and goals; and to impart skills and knowledge to help students take ownership of their professional development from the first days of law school.  Though not required, the sessions can be an essential part of career development.

The program will run for three sessions in the fall, and two in the early spring. 

2011-2012 Fall Schedule

Finding Your Career Path:  Identifying Strengths and Preferences

September 19, 2011:  3:30-5:00 p.m.  Hart Auditorium

Students will complete and discuss the results of strengths and workplace preference inventories, will reflect on workplace satisfaction, and begin to think about how those results could tie to career searching.  Students will examine the various inputs (strengths, preferences, history, experience, and workplace attributes) and how to evaluate those inputs in the decision-making process.   

What Can You Do With a Law Degree?  An Introduction to Legal Practice

September 26, 2011:  3:30-5:00 p.m.  Hart Auditorium

Through analysis of the life cycle of a statute, faculty and staff speakers will introduce several broad areas of practice in action (regulatory, litigation, transactional).  Additional detail will be provided regarding the substance of work in various employment settings as well as the likely “day in the life” of various types of practitioners. 

Summer Job Search Essentials

October 3, 2011: 3:30-5:00 p.m. and October 7, 2011: 10:00-11:30 a.m.

More session dates TBA

In small breakout sessions , students will conduct search simulations in order to familiarize themselves with the resources available to identify and secure rewarding summer employment in various legal fields.  They will work to define their statement of purpose for summer employment and beyond. 

2011-2012 Spring Schedule

First Year Choices

January 23, 2012: 3:30-4:45 p.m.  Hart Auditorium

Information related to curricular and extracurricular opportunities will be shared - including Law Journals, Barristers’ Council, Law Fellowships, Peer Advising, Early Interview Week for large law firms, externships and internships around the DC region, student organization leadership positions, and more.

 

Professionalism: Strategies for Success, this Summer and Beyond

March 16, 2012: 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

March 26, 2012: 3:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m.

Working with small groups of students, counselors from the Office of Career Services and the Office of Public Interest and Community Service will facilitate discussion on a range of issues related to judgment and problem-solving at work, setting professional boundaries and work-life balance, how to make the most of your summer job, and challenging moments in the workplace. To register, email deanofstudents@law.georgetown.edu or call Merced Ada at (202) 662-4066.  

 

 

 

 

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