Maximize your summer public interest experience!
A summer public interest experience can be tremendously influential and educational. A public interest experience offers you the opportunity to learn how public interest and pro bono attorneys use the law as an instrument of social justice. And on a very practical level, you can also cultivate practical skills that are useful in any number of settings.
In light of all these things, we want you to have the best experiences that you can this summer. So, we consulted with over 25 public defenders and legal services executive directors with programs throughout the country. We asked them to help us help you. They gave us concrete tips about how you can succeed during your summer experiences and some pitfalls to avoid. We also reached out to law school public interest career advisors who routinely counsel students about maximizing their work experiences and asked for the wisdom they’ve collected over the years. Here are some of their thoughts:
Even before your first day, educate and set goals for yourself.
- Background Reading?
Put your world class Googling abilities to good use. Being informed and as up to date as possible is always an asset–and it will save everyone’s time!
- Set Professional Development Goals
Whether you’re directly asked about your goals or you take the initiative to articulate what you’d like to gain from your experience, setting goals. From drafting a motion to participating in client intake, try to think broadly about the skills and writing samples you’d like to come away with!
Be proactive. It’s the best way to engage!
- Ask Questions!!!
Overwhelmingly, supervisor that there is nothing I like more than a thoughtful question. It suggests to me conscientiousness and a commitment to doing good work.
- Proactive, proactive, proactive…
Public interest lawyers can be pulled in many different directions at once. Rather than slinking into a corner to stay out of the way, ask how you might help.
- Check-in often
Communicate with your supervisor about what you’re working on, how you’re doing with your assignments, and how busy you are. Hopefully you won’t have to take the initiative every time, but if you feel disconnected from your supervisor it’s probably a good time to check in.
More tips to make the most of your summer public interest experience to come!
