Following Up: Public Interest Week

I hope you all found Public Interest Week beneficial! Below are tips for following up after each event and exploring different career paths within the areas of public interest and government.

Public Interest & Government Career Fair

• Utilize the Excel document called “Networking – Connections and application tracking log”, located in your Symplicity “Resources” tab, to begin recording your networking contacts.
• Make a note in your calendar to follow up with any employers beginning December 1^st (if you’re a 1L) or NOW (if you’re a 2L or 3L).
• Conduct independent research and check in with the Career Center regarding resources specific to any public interest or government employers of interest. You can spend some time proactively that will help you prioritize your efforts once you are able to begin applying for positions.

Oliver Fellows Luncheon

• Read more about the Oliver Fellowship Program using the PDFs in the Quick Links tab: http://law.umkc.edu/professional-development/pro-bonopublic-service/oliver-fellows-public-service-program/
• Connect with the Career Center or any of the attorneys you connected with during the event to learn more about how to position yourself for a post-graduate career with a specific organization.

Clinics and Externships – Planning Your Schedule

• Review the Clinics, Internships, & Externships Handout, which is located in the “Resources” tab on Symplicity.
• Chat with professors during the faculty advising tables (Wednesday, October 14^th-Thursday, October 22^nd) to learn more about clinic and externship opportunities not described at the workshop or on the handout.
• Reach out to the professors who are coordinating any clinics/externships of interest to express interest and ensure the opportunity would be a good fit.
• Connect with Shannon O’Bryan in the Career Center if you are interested in participating in the Pro Bono/Public Service Honors Program, which was mentioned periodically throughout the week. You should also review the Handbook on Symplicity in the “Resources” tab and plan to attend the Program Orientation in April (exact date and location TBA).

Finding Internships and Post-Graduate Fellowships

• Review Shannon O’Bryan’s presentation: http://mediasite.law.umkc.edu/Mediasite/Play/aab4fef235584672bf5a39f3fdbe65ef1d
• Check out the USAJobs Quick Tips document in your “Resources” tab on Symplicity.
• Review the slides and notes from the most recent Presidential Management Fellow (PMF) Program webinar, which is also located in your “Resources” tab on Symplicity.

Tagged: opportunities, professionalism, public interest, resources