• Research assistantships with professors at the Law School;
• Internships with government or public interest employers;
• Internships with judges;
• Law clerk positions with small law firms or corporations;
• Summer associate positions with large law firms.

Research Assistantships with Professors at the Law School

Most Seton Hall professors hire research assistants in the summer, and may also employ research assistants during the academic year. These positions offer students an excellent opportunity to work closely with a professor and at the same time to hone their research skills. The positions also offer compensation and there is frequently some flexibility in the work schedule. Many students are able to combine a paid research assistant position with an unpaid internship.

In order to hire students, professors may invite a small group who have excelled in a particular area to apply to be their assistants, or they will advertise, sometimes either through Gwen Davis, coordinator of Faculty Support and/or through job listings in Career Services. Do not hesitate to contact a professor directly regarding their needs for an assistant.

Internships with Government or Public Interest Employers

Public sector employers provide first-year students with the greatest number of opportunities; there are literally hundreds of internship possibilities. Many Seton Hall students have obtained excellent experience working in a U.S. Attorney’s Office, a government agency, an advocacy organization, or other non-profit organizations. Most public service internships are unpaid. However, some funding sources are available; such as Seton Hall’s Public Interest Fellowships Program.

Internships with Judges

Many judges on both the federal and state level seek volunteer interns for the summer. Students obtain valuable research and writing experience in these positions, as well as the opportunity to see how a courtroom works and how judicial decisions are made. These positions are unpaid, but often offer great flexibility, e.g., less than a five-day work week, so that a student may combine these positions with other paid employment.

Law Clerk Positions with Small Firms

While most small firms provide students with a real hands-on experience, their hiring can be unpredictable and erratic. Most small firms hire law clerks when they have an immediate need, and do not advertise positions far in advance of the starting date. Other small firms hire through contacts, mainly in a student's hometown area. Compensation can range from $12 to $25 an hour.

Summer Associate Positions in Law Firms

Each summer, large law firms hire second-year students to participate in summer associate programs at their firms. These programs are testing grounds for an offer for permanent employment following graduation. Summer associates are well paid, with many firms in cities like New York offering students more than $2000 per week. Some firms may consider first year students for Summer positions. See the Appendix under the heading Law Firms, Print Resources.

The majority of first-years who obtain summer associate positions do so through contacts they either have or create. Other successful students have strong ties to a geographic area, significant prior experience, advanced degrees, or exceptional first semester grades. Most law firms do not make final hiring decisions until first semester grades are available.

First Year Job Search Strategies

The following three methods are often used by law students to obtain summer jobs:

1. Responding to employers who have contacted OCS about job openings;
2. Reaching out to employers identified through your contacts or research;
and/or
3. Participating in formal recruiting programs, such as the New York University Public Interest Program.

Finding Employers Through Job Listings

Each year OCS receives job listings from many different types of employers who are interested in hiring Seton Hall students for summer and academic year positions, and graduates for permanent positions. When employers contact the office with job openings, the information is posted in two ways:

• In binders, located in OCS
• On Line, via the OCS web page.

Most job listings are posted for 30 days, unless an employer requests otherwise. New listings are entered daily. The OCS job listings provide the most possibilities for small firm positions. Mass mailings to small firms are rarely successful and are not recommended. Many students have been successful in finding small firm positions by using contacts and their own initiative to connect with employers in their hometowns.

Contacting Employers You Identify Through Your Own Research and Networking

A large number of Seton Hall students find positions through contacts. Initially most students resist the idea of approaching someone for help with a job search. However, since this avenue provides the most opportunities, students are strongly encouraged to utilize any connection that may be available. Consider the following possibilities:

• Contact attorneys who are graduates of Seton Hall or of your undergraduate institution
• Check the Martindale Hubbell Directory - on-line to generate a list of Seton Hall graduates working in a particular geographic location or practice area
• Contact previous employers
• Contact second- and third-year Seton Hall students about their first-year employers
• Attend Seton Hall sponsored presentations where you can network with speakers
• Consider student membership, where offered, in local bar associations in the area you plan to seek employment.

In addition to finding out about potential job opportunities, networking can also be a valuable tool for learning about practice areas. It is never too early to begin. In general, most networking involves scheduling a meeting or informational interview with people who share an interest or connection with you, and are willing to provide advice or information that may be helpful. Some of the best networking help actually comes informally from talking to upper-class students.

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