By Justin Hill

The Young Lawyers Division and the North Carolina Bar Foundation are teaming up for the third year in a row to coordinate #GivingTuesday on November 28 and make it another one to remember!

For this year, the YLD and NCBF are raising money to fund the NCBF’s civic education and pro bono programs, including Wills for Heroes, 4ALL – Lawyers on Call, Disaster Legal Services, and many other priceless programs. We invite all those who can to make a gift to continue supporting impactful programming across the state.

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By Theresa DiCenzo, Kerry Sullivan and Zannah Tyndall

As a first-year law student, it is understandable to feel overwhelmed about securing the “perfect” internship or externship for your first summer. There is so much pressure to get valuable experience and boost your resume. However, it’s important to keep things in perspective. The reality is any legal experience you gain as a 1L will provide learning opportunities and help you develop as an attorney-in-training.

1. Don’t be worried about getting the perfect or most prestigious experience.

Rather than obsessing over landing a prestigious big law internship, keep an open mind about the range of options available. Smaller firms, government agencies, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and even judges’ chambers welcome 1L interns. The day-to-day work may vary, but every position will allow you to gain exposure to the legal field, build your network, improve research and writing skills, and clarify your own interests.

It’s understandable to have high hopes, but don’t beat yourself up if you don’t obtain your top choice right out of the gate. Don’t let the process overwhelm your studies. The most valuable experiences are often unexpected. Over time, you’ll determine what areas interest you the most and what work settings suit you the best. Every position will teach you something useful for the future. The key is to stay open-minded, and don’t worry about checking boxes. Focus on pursuing genuine learning experiences, building skills, and identifying the career paths that excite you. The “perfect” job often comes from unexpected beginnings.

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By Bryan Howard

As a part-time law student working full-time and attending school in the evenings, I have experienced the lack of awareness and understanding that so many people and organizations have about the process. Working all day and then attending classes in the evenings does not leave much time for networking, attending extracurricular events, or getting creative in terms of finding future jobs. Some evening law students use their law degree to climb the hierarchy in their current job. In this situation, the law student likely has already developed a relationship with the employer and may not have a need to network outside of that setting; however, some evening law students go to law school for the purpose of leaving their current careers. These scenarios have different outcomes but the things that remain the same are that evening law students are non-traditional students, generally with life experiences and a work history, who have decided to dedicate nearly all their free time to obtain a law degree.

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By Jonathan Bogues 

Dear 26-year-old Jonathan,

Congratulations are in order. You’ve worked hard, graduated from law school, and passed the North Carolina Bar Exam! You’re the first person in your family, immediate or extended, to obtain a graduate degree and reach these new heights. Your family is so proud of you and brags on you every opportunity they get.

You’ll think that you have arrived. You’ve made it. You’re on your way to Easy Street and everything that comes along with it: the corner office, the BMW with all the bells and whistles, the deluxe apartment in the sky.

But wait a minute and pump your brakes, as that is far from the case. Now the real work begins. You will encounter and go through things that law school and the bar exam did not prepare you for. You’ll start applying to jobs that you’re interested in and think you’re a good fit for; however, it seems like you will hear a million noes or “no, thank you” and sometimes no response at all before you’re finally able to land something. You’ll be hurt, discouraged, second guess yourself, wonder if you’re smart enough, and wonder if you have what it takes to be “successful,” but you won’t give up. You’ll persevere, you’ll grind it out, and your friends and family will support and encourage you, and have your back no matter what. Finally, you’ll land that first job, and you’ll happily accept it.

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