Spring has arrived in full force and glorious summer is approaching quickly! This is a great time to talk about new beginnings and how to make the most of a new job, clerkship, internship, or other work experience. In setting out on any new endeavor, it is important to think about how you can best utilize the opportunity to support your professional development. Below are some tips about how to make the most of any new opportunity!
- Take ownership of the experience. You are ultimately in control of your own career. It is upon you to make sure you utilize each and every experience and make the most of the opportunity. How do you own your experience? You need to set realistic goals and track your progress toward those goals. Identity the work you want to do and communicate with your supervisors about the work you are interested in. You need to be enthusiastic and volunteer for assignments you want. Keep track of what you are doing by maintaining a project log.
- Know your Role. As a summer associate, intern, or new lawyer, you need to make sure you figure out what exactly is expected of you. It is your role to serve as support for other attorneys and your clients; ask yourself how you can make their lives easier.
- Create and Maintain a Professional Persona. Make a good first impression! Always be dressed for the part and know how you are going to introduce yourself to others. Ditch your smart phone and never wear headphones. Always bring a notepad and pen wherever you go. Be sure to maintain good communication with your supervisors, so that you can assure yourself that you are doing your job and are responsive to the needs of your employer.
- Demonstrate Good Time-Management and Work Product. In whatever job you have, you will have to juggle assignments, training, networking, social events, and more. It is important to demonstrate your organization and the ability to prioritize. Always turn in assignments on time and make sure they are polished.
- Demonstrate Good Use of Technology. Every email you draft for an employer is the employer’s property. Be professional at all times and assume everything you write can and will be read by each and every other employee. It is a good idea to NEVER talk about your employer on social media and, of course, make sure that all confidential information remains o.
- Solicit Feedback. Each new position is a learning experience. To make the most of it, solicit feedback so that you can improve. Do not wait until the end of the experience to find out how you did. If you do not get feedback early on, you will not be able to show growth or improvement.
- Be Social! It is really vital to attend social events hosted by your employer. This is the time when the employer can get to know you as a person. It is hard to overestimate the importance to most employers that they get to know you on a personal level. Do not handicap yourself by failing to engage with your supervisors and coworkers on a social level.
Finally, check out this article on Five Ways to Seize Every Opportunity which has some additional great tips on how to maximize every opportunity!
Tagged: employers, internships, networking, professionalism
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