It's official.  The time has come around again.  1Ls have now been granted the privilege of visiting the CDO to discuss their quest for a summer job.  But is it really worth it? Are there any jobs to be had?  Unfortunately, emails to the CDO went unanswered, but luckily, the SBA resurrected the position of CDO Liaison and not a minute too soon.  2L Nicole Best, the new CDO Liaison says that this position seeks to provide the CDO with the "student perspective" and to foster communication between the CDO and the student body.

The CDO has struggled in the last year to keep the interest of students.  Amidst rumors of recruiters not coming to GW, they have also suffered from over communication according to Best, and she is seeking a way to streamline communication between the CDO and students to better meet students needs and interests.  In addition, by continuing to promote recruitment in the same way they have over the past several years, it seems that they didn't latch on to the fact that the economy is in such a bad state as it is.   So last year's 1Ls were left wondering what was going on and felt as if they had been slighted or misled in some way about the job prospects.

Everyone knows that the job market is abysmal.  Abovethelaw.com continually publishes the layoff numbers.  Law firms are laying associates off and government agencies aren't hiring.  As a recent GW Law graduate found out, the government is hiring deferred associates because the firms are footing the bills.  This makes the job-hunt even more difficult.  In addition, many of the firms that once began their fall recruitment in August and September have delayed their recruitment dates as far out as March.  The certainty that once existed is no longer.  Law students are in a bit of a crisis.

Perhaps, 1Ls have been too busy focusing on their second memos to worry about looking for a job already, but there have been some 1Ls wondering what the reality is of the market.    Some asked about clerkships and some have asked about alternative options.  But will 1Ls be able to find a job for their 1L summer?  Yes.  1Ls should be able to find a job for their first summer, although it will likely be unpaid.  There will probably be a select few, a very select few 1Ls that can expect to get firm jobs for their 1L summer.  The rest should be looking at what their other options are. CDO problems aside, 1Ls should not be afraid of the job search.  There are many opportunities out there, but they just take a little more effort on the student's part.  As one 2L said, students fail to see that the CDO is not there to find them a job, but to provide them will the tools to look for a job.  The jobs are out there, they just don't come on a silver platter anymore.  See the tip box below for some guidance on the 1L job search.

Tips for 1Ls looking for a summer job:

1. Attend the Career Strategy Consultant Panel event Today, Wednesday at 5PM in LL101.  There will be student panelists as well as professionals represented at this event put on by the students.
2. Start early: you don't want to wait until the jobs have all been taken.  While you can't apply before December 1, the sooner you apply after that date, the better.
3. Network: this seems to be a four-letter word among students, but it works.  Do it.  If someone hands you their card, contact them.  Follow up on people that you know at home.  Too few students actually do this.
4. Be open: you may not find a job in your ideal field, but at this point you need the experience.
5. Don't be deterred by your grades: even if you're not in the top half of your class, you can still get a job
6. Put in the leg work: you won't get anywhere if you don't do the work.  Finding a job isn't easy, but you have to dedicate the time to do it
7. Be responsible to yourself: so what if your classmates aren't doing the work.  You need to do it.
8. Don't be afraid to change CDO counselors if you just don't connect with yours.