• What does the Office of Career Services have to offer?
• When should I start to work on my job search and access the resources that OCS has to offer?
• How are job opportunities found?
• Can I only meet with one counselor? Am I assigned to one counselor?
• I have class all day. What are the OCS’ hours?
• Will OCS find me a job?
• Do I need to attend OCS Programs?

What does the Office of Career Services have to offer?

CAREER PLANNING SERVICES AND RESOURCES
The Office of Career Services offers a wide variety of services and resources to students and alumni/ae. Individual counseling and group workshops provide assistance to students and graduates who are preparing for and engaging in the job search. Workshops on resume preparation, job search and interviewing skills are held throughout the year along with many other career related programming. Services and resources include our experienced and dedicated counselors, a career resources library, access to selected on-line databases, a mock interview program, a handbook for first-year career planning and judicial clerkships, and handouts and brochures on many areas (such as non-traditional careers, judicial clerkships, government careers, out-of-state job searches, etc.).

ONGOING PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
A full slate of programs and events providing information from the perspectives of students, alumni/ae, other experienced practitioners and nationally known authors and speakers is offered throughout the academic year. Programs are designed to provide a wide breadth of information on career planning and job search, legal career choices and options, and the legal job market. More specialized programs, such as joint efforts with student organizations, bar associations and other external groups, serve to address specific concerns or areas of interest, such as corporate law programs, programs for law students of color, programs targeting those interested in intellectual property, etc.

You should already be started! A big part of your job search is networking, so get to know your classmates, professors, colleagues from former employment as well as religious and social organizations that you belong to outside of school. Get involved!

Workshops for first year students are always scheduled the first week in November; this is our first formal contact with 1L students. The workshops are designed to give first-year day division and second-year evening division students a broad overview of career planning for law students and general information on the legal job market. The workshops also prepare students for possible first year employment opportunities, which commence over the break with large law firms and are also available during OCI and other career days held in the Spring.

All other students should schedule an appointment as soon as you can!

Seton Hall Law’s Office of Career Services vigorously pursues new employment opportunities and resources for the benefit of SHU law students and graduates, working with them throughout their law school careers and beyond. Alumni play an important role in these efforts and offer continuing support through their participation in recruitment and hiring activities and through their involvement in Career Services programs. And, of course, the Internet plays an increasingly prominent role in the job search.

Quite a large number of students obtain employment by conducting their own research. Through the use of Martindale-Hubbell (Lawyer/Law Firm Directory) and the other employment guides in our office, OCS helps to provide each student with the skills necessary to assist in the job research.

Fall and Spring On-Campus Interview programs and off-site interview programs provide many interviewing opportunities. In addition, students and graduates find full-time or part-time employment year-round through job listings received by the Office. Such job listings are submitted to OCS by mail, e-mail, telephone or fax, daily. The information may be accessed by students through the job listing binders that are located in OCS.

Always keep in mind that networking is essential, and can often provide you with information that our office does not have on positions and their availability, so contact everyone that you know that might be able to give you a little help!

You are welcome to meet with more than one counselor. Your assigned counselor can serve as a main resource for you and your job questions, and will also serve as a terrific support system and will get to know you personally. Whether you have two or more areas of interest, or you just feel more comfortable with a particular counselor, you can choose to meet with whomever you wish. As long as you are being aggressive and keeping the lines of communications open with our office, you will be able to take advantage of our services to its greatest extent.

OCS is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm. Our office is exceptionally accommodating to all of our students. If you cannot come in during the designated hours, call and make an appointment with a counselor for another time. Remember, that we do have a walk-in policy as well, so anytime you need help just stop by.

No, but we help by providing opportunities and teaching ways to find a job. Learning how to look for a job or write a good resume is another part of your legal education. The Office of Career Services works to educate students and graduates of Seton Hall about the tools they can use in their job search, types of careers and opportunities, and relevant job programs and deadlines. The best career counselor is someone who guides you through things you have to do yourself while making the process as easy for you as possible.

It is crucial that you attend those programs that pertain to your areas of interest. OCS brings in employers and experts in different fields to help you with your job search. See the calendar of events and programs on the OCS website. Don’t miss out on these opportunities to learn and network. Keep in mind that there are a few events that you are required to attend, but most that are given are voluntary (but still extremely important).