There is a temptation in law school to isolate yourself in your studies and tune out the outside world. The inclination to bury yourself in your studies is entirely understandable: no matter how you slice it, grades are important. On the opposite side of the spectrum, however, other law students act as though they are still in undergrad. They do their work and make acceptable grades, but they do not engage with anything beyond the college community. Both of these extremes are short-sighted. In terms of career preparation, the ideal lies somewhere in the middle, and CSO help you find that happy medium!
CSO constantly tries to connect students with lawyers out in the community. We invite lawyers to join on campus programs and panels, we host networking events and encourage students to get out in the community, and we do our best to help students make their own connections.
Not sure how to get active and informed? Here are a couple of ideas/upcoming events to consider as you determine what will benefit you in terms of networking and career development:
One great way to learn about the latest news in the Kansas City business and legal communities is to take a couple of minutes each Friday to look at the new issue of the Kansas City Business Journal. You can get most of the content free by just going to the website, but full access is available in the Business Information Center in the Law Library.
© Kansas City Business Journal, 2014
Each year the Journal publishes its “Best of the Bar”, which is a list of outstanding Kansas City lawyers who were nominated by their peers. This year’s list, published in late September, has 219 honorees, and listed for each honoree is, inter alia, the firm where the lawyer practices, the practice areas, and the law school attended. This is a trove of information about some of the most respected lawyers in the KC community. Use the Best of the Bar to figure out who you should be talking to and start reaching out!
Another valuable resource in the Journal is the “People on the Move” section which lists new hires or promotions in a variety of trades, including law. This is one of the best ways to keep up with what is going on in the Kansas City legal community. Along with the Journal of the Missouri Bar and the Journal of the Kansas Bar Association (both available in the CSO Office and the Law Library), you will have a solid understanding on the happenings in the community.
In addition, a number of networking events are coming up in the month of October a great start to expanding your networking plans. The KCMBA is hosting their annual Welcome Reception for UMKC Law students on Thursday, October 9 from 5-7PM. The KCMBA is one of the best bars for lawyers in the KC Metro, so RSVP today!
Also, on Tuesday, October 21, Join BLSA and CSO for a speed networking event on from 5-7PM in the Student Lounge! Use this opportunity to meet and mingle with lawyers from the KC community.
RSVP to both of these events now on RooLaw or Symplicity!
Tagged: networking, professionalism, resources, upcoming events
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