Tips for Law Students Over the Summer
Taking a summer break is one of the greatest luxuries of being a student.
Years from now, you will look back and realize how good you had really had it. They don't call it those "lazy-hazy-crazy days of summer" for nothing.
So, don't let anybody tell you what to do with that free time because you won't have much in the future. Like any good student of the law, however, you should also consider alternatives.
Take a Break
Nat King Cole said it right when he sang about those lazy summer days of soda, pretzels, and beer. But that doesn't necessarily mean a two-week vacation to Italy. Here are some short-form, low-cost vacations:
- See local tourist spots
- Attend a concert or play
- Go to a nearby national park
- Ride a train, boat, or bicycle
Even if you have already started a summer job, take a break once in a while. You earned it.
Get a Job
Vacations don't happen without jobs. Somebody has to pay for those luxuries -- and those student loans.
But keep your focus on your career goals, and get a job in the legal profession. If you didn't get invited to intern at a big law firm, visit the placement office at your law school. Many smaller firms advertise there, looking for summer clerks.
Volunteer Services
Don't overlook volunteer opportunities. Bar associations, legal aid societies, and other community service organizations welcome law students for unpaid internships.
Your pay comes in the form of experience and resume power. Volunteer hours can count towards future education, jobs, and other opportunities.
Take a Class
We know, taking a class is the last thing law students want to do during the summer. But who said it has to be a law school class?
Other courses, such as online training in e-filing, discovery, and case management, will prepare you for the real world beyond law school. Certificates of completion will give you an edge in your future job hunt, too.
You're going to need that edge -- especially if you want a job with the longest vacation benefits.
Related Resources:
- Lawyers, Burnout is a Real Disease (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
- Judge Suspended for Joke About Trump And ... (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
- Whoa! Is the Mississippi Bar Becoming Impossible? (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
