A career in public service is incredibly rewarding and if this is something that interests or you are actively pursuing one of these careers, then this blog entry is for you. Here are some tips that I have learned along the way both in my own experiences as an attorney and through others who are involved in various public service fields:
- If you came to law school knowing that this was the career path you were destined for, get involved now. Do not wait. By starting early and building your reputation as someone who is dedicated and passionate, you will encounter similarly-minded people who will remember you. You want people to know your face and your reputation.
- Volunteer. Volunteer. Volunteer. Because many public service agencies, such as legal aid organizations, are under tight funding issues, finding paid jobs while in law school can be challenging. However, many are in need of hard-working passionate and positive volunteers who can handle the work. Once you prove yourself as a dedicated volunteer, you put yourself in a better position for a job, when it becomes available.
- Find a niche. Build a reputation of excellence and become the person who knows a lot about a certain area of the law. If you are interested in tax, learn how that impacts people who are on government assistance. This can be a huge asset to an organization that frequently encounters these issues.
- Start living conservatively. If you begin the habit of budgeting yourself while you are in law school, the lower pay typically associated with careers in public service is manageable. If you need assistance with budgeting, be sure to visit our Financial Aid Office, as they can work with you on these issues and advise you about loan assistance programs.
- Look into Fellowships. Equal Justice Works (EJW) is a great resource to learn more about these opportunities. http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/post-grad/equal-justice-works-fellowships
- Do a clinic. Stetson offers so many wonderful clinical opportunities and this is a superb way to meet attorneys who practice in that area and if you show yourself to be a hard working member of the team, these clinics are often pipelines into jobs once you are a sworn attorney. Be sure that you fulfill all of the prerequisites for these positions and that you fill out your Florida Bar Application so that you can get your character and fitness cleared.
- Learn another language. Being bilingual is often a huge asset to public service organizations. If you don’t know another language, now is a good time to start.
- Make connections. This is true with any career path but is critically important in public service, as well. Learn how people got their jobs, ask questions, and get to know them.
If you have any questions about these exciting and rewarding career paths or would like to discuss your future with one of our career coaches, let us know!