Vocare

"Relationships are all there is. Everything in the universe only exists because it is in relationship to everything else. Nothing exists in isolation. We have to stop pretending we are individuals that can go it alone."

This is a quote from Margaret Wheatley, author of Leadership and the New Science. When networking, think of your task as building a meaningful, productive relationship that will support the advancement of each party involved over time. Consider this networking mantra from the movie Jerry McGuire to guide you in your relationship building: "Help me... help you. Help me, help you..."

Have a terrific Thanksgiving. Connect and reconnect with your friends and family.

Best wishes from the CPDC Staff.

Posted by Victor Massaglia at 7:59 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

WetFeet is up and fully functioning for all U of M - Twin Cities students!!

For anyone who isn't aware of this tool, WetFeet is a fantastic resource for advice and information on careers in business and industry. The site includes articles, videos, and 100+ page "insider guides" that are completely downloadable and printable. Normally these guides retail for around $30 a copy if you were to buy one off of amazon. This is a wonderful, information-rich resource - so please check it out for yourself and promote it widely with your students.

To access WetFeet:
Go to https://www.lib.umn.edu/articles/ejpass.phtml?id=wetfeet
Or access WetFeet via the University of Minnesota Libraries Web site at http://www.lib.umn.edu/ --- select the letter “W� under Indexes and Databases A-Z.

You can access instructions here: http://www.lib.umn.edu/site/moreinfo.phtml?id=4889 http://internshipprograms.com/

Posted by Victor Massaglia at 3:25 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Have you looked at opportunities at the U.S. Department of State? Check out their site: http://careers.state.gov to learn more.

"Students of all levels will find that the U.S. Department of State is a rewarding place to acquire skills that will last a lifetime. We have a variety of programs, from summer clerical positions to management fellowships, all of which allow students from high school to the post-graduate level the ability to participate in projects vital to the success of U.S. foreign policy. Overseas or in Washington D.C., there's a student program that matches your background and will help you to achieve your goals." From their student's page.

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Posted by Victor Massaglia at 3:03 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

RESOURCES
nalpdirectory.com - search for employers hiring 1Ls. Use mail merge to craft letters (find instructions in WORD).
University of Arizona Government & Honors Handbook (ask the CPDC for the password). Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the 1L listings by application date. Click back to the main page and find complete info in the alphabetical listings.
Public Interest Summer (law firms that split) (link to follow)
Idealist.org (a great site – the name says it all)
PSLawNet: A prime online resource for public interest careers (a division of NALP)
GAPSA Travel Grants for student professional development

SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
1. Judicial Externships
(a) Externships in the Twin Cities: register for summer school and have patience. For the past six years, every student who has wanted an externship has gotten one. Every federal and state Minnesota court accepts externs except the MN Supreme Court.
(b) Externships outside Metro/out of state: Find a judge; apply by mid-January. CPDC has directories.

2. Minnesota Justice Foundation Clerkships – don’t miss the Public Interest Expo at William Mitchell on November 18 where you can meet the employers and quiz students who have had MJF clerkships. County attorneys and public defenders – Summer 2009 will depend on budgets.

3. Summer School and Study Abroad – see Dean Keyes for study abroad information.

4. Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellowships

5. Work study – info to come. $$$ for inside and outside Minnesota in public sector offices.

6. Faculty Research Assistant: Law faculty have a continuing obligation to publish and most hire research assistants. Some announce jobs to their classes; some post in Symplicity. Why not knock on the door of someone whose work is interesting to you? Bring a resume and offer to buy a cup of coffee.

7. Volunteer – MJF is a great resource for volunteers in Minnesota. Talk to us about out-of-town.

8. Minority Clerkship Programs – application information will be forthcoming.

9. Corporate law departments, small & medium-sized law firms: These employers hire when the need looms large, so they won’t be hiring in January for June. Some will post jobs, some will ask their current clerks who to hire (make friends with 2Ls and 3Ls). Resources for finding them: findlaw, www.martindale.com, Symplicity, alumni.

10. OTHER: 1Ls have biked across the USA, had babies, run summer camps, and trekked all over the world … Your story in interviews? It’s all in how you spin it.

ESPECIALLY IN MINNESOTA Minnesota’s Student Practice Rule allows you to work in the public sector under the supervision of a licensed attorney in your 1L summer. If you work in a county attorney, public defender or legal services office, you will get to represent clients in court and be the lawyer.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY NETWORK: If there are people who have promised to help you since you were a tiny child or since last week, make the call NOW. Close personal friends of yours or your parents will be hurt beyond belief if they find out that they could have helped and you neglected to ask.

DECEMBER 1 IN MINNESOTA: Send documents December 1: Faegre & Benson (send u-grad transcript); Lindquist & Vennum (will require a law transcript); Fredrikson. No 1Ls: Oppenheimer, Maslon, Winthrop. We will pass on info as we get it.

MEET with your CPDC Counselor and Make Your Personal Plan.

(Written by Susan Gainen)

Posted by Victor Massaglia at 8:08 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I thought you'd find this posting from Jott interesting and helpful.

"We usually talk about ways to be more productive, but getting things done is always easier said than done. For every task that lay ahead, there is always something or someone happy to distract you from your work. Sometimes these distractions are welcome breaks and sometimes a small break can spiral out of control to be an all out unproductive hour. It’s hard, after all, to stay focused and motivated 100% of the time. Below is a look at the five greatest weapons in what I call, “The War on Productivity�."

Click the title for the complete article.

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Posted by Victor Massaglia at 7:54 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Maximizing A Professional Association Membership

By Brett Prytle, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Professional associations are a great way to build career connections and visibility. But misusing the resource can put the brakes on any job search.

Chick here for the entire article.

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Posted by Victor Massaglia at 2:53 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)