Fall 2008 Career Development Programs
All Pitt Law students are invited to attend educational programs sponsored by the Career Services Office.
This list of educational programs is not complete and subject to change, so please check back for updates.
FALL 2008 CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
All students are invited to attend educational programs sponsored by the Career Services Office. This list of education programs is not complete and subject to change, so please check back for updates.
INTERVIEWING PREPARATION DAYS
August 14 and 20
This is a great opportunity for students to receive feedback on resumes and participate in a mock interview with local practitioners.
FEDERAL JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP WORKSHOP
Tuesday, August 26, Room 111
1:00-1:45pm
CSO staff will be on hand to answer any last minute questions about the Federal Judicial Clerkship application process for 3Ls, including troubleshooting OSCAR, researching judges, preparing for interviews, and strategizing about offers received. For individuals with OSCAR questions, it is recommended that you bring your laptop with you as we will walk through the system together.
INTERVIEW SKILLS WORKSHOP
Tuesday, August 26, Room G12
1:00-2:30pm
This will be a two-part panel program. The first part will feature a panel discussion with experienced attorneys from law firms discussing how to best present yourself effectively in a typical initial (screening) interview. The second part will feature a panel discussion with third-year law students discussing their experiences with call-back (second) interviews and providing useful tips and suggestions on how to succeed in your job search. Students who have class conflicts should feel free to arrive late or leave early as needed.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPLICATION SKILLS WORKSHOP
Thursday August 28 Room 107
1:15-2:00pm
Repeat Session Thursday, September 18, Room 107
1:00-1:45pm
This workshop is for students who are applying for federal government positions. We will review resume requirements and tips for crafting effective KSAs (essays). The deadline for the 2008 US DOJ Attorney General's Honors Program and Summer Law Intern Program is Tuesday, September 2, 2008. Applications must be submitted online by midnight, Eastern Time. Deadlines for other Federal Honor's Programs begin to fall shortly after this program and run into the Fall: we will discuss strategies for completing an effective application. Please note that we will repeat this program on Sept. 18th.
JOB SEARCHING BEYOND OCI: FOCUSED COUNSELING SESSIONS
Thursday September 25th-Friday, October 3rd (By appointment)
Perhaps you weren't interested in the types of employers participating in Fall OCI or maybe it didn't work out as you had planned. It is easy to feel left out of the Fall job searching hustle and bustle. And it is all too easy to feel disappointed about Fall OCI and give up on your job search. Now is a great time to meet with a CSO counselor to help you focus/refocus your energies on your job search. 2L and 3L students can stop by Room 235 to schedule an appointment or email dschoch@pitt.edu. If your schedule does not permit a meeting during this time period, students are welcome to schedule an appointment on another date.
CSO OPEN HOUSE - Job Searching Beyond OCI Kickoff
Thursday, October 2nd, CSO Resource Center (2nd Floor)
9:00-10:30am
The Career Services Office welcomes ALL students to our Fall Open House. Stop by and enjoy some juice, coffee and breakfast treats. Or come in for the chance to win door prizes. CSO staff will be on hand to talk with you about your career development and anything else that is on your mind. This open house will also serve as a Kick-off for job searching beyond OCI. Counselors will be on hand to demonstrate how to best use CSO resources in your job search. Also, 2L and 3L students, don't forget to sign up for our Beyond OCI focused individual counseling sessions which begin on Sept. 25th.
"THE CAREER COUNSELOR IS IN" THE STUDENT LOUNGE
Q &A Pressing Job Search Questions
First Wednesday of the Month (October 1, November 5, December 3)
12:30 - 1:30, Student Lounge
Pam, Jen and Mary will be in the student lounge to answer your "quick" questions (for more involved questions we will schedule an appointment with you for a later date). So, bring your pressing questions, a hard copy of your resume and your laptop and we'll provide some support and direction in your job search efforts. (And snacks - we'll provide the snacks).
COVER LETTER WORKSHOP (2L and 3L Students - RSVP Required)
Tuesday, October 7
1:00-2:00pm Room 111
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to you because I struggle to craft effective cover letters, yet I am seeking a job for the summer. As a student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, I do not feel I have any skills or experience to offer; however I would very much like to begin my career in Los Angeles...
If you dread writing cover letters; don't know what to say; or know why you should take the time to write them in the first place, this session is for you. We will briefly review what purpose cover letters serve. We will also go over cover letter do's and don'ts. And we will provide an opportunity for you to try your hand at cover letter drafting. If you are a 2L or 3L student interested in attending, please RSVP to Mary Thinium at thinium@pitt.edu by Thursday, October 2nd.
FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS-MANDATORY CAREER SERVICES ORIENTATION
SESSIONS AND INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS
Days and Times TBA (Beginning around November 1)
The Career Services Office will be holding mandatory Career Services group Orientation Sessions and individual career consultations at the beginning of November for all first-year students to introduce you to the services and resources offered by our office. Before you can take advantage of career counseling sessions, mock interviews, and resume preparation, you must attend a group orientation session and schedule an initial individual consultation.
In conjunction with our office, the library will be holding Westlaw and Lexis Career training sessions (job searching) in early November. These sessions are required, and attendance will be taken. Additional information on the times and dates will be announced.
LEXIS-NEXIS and WestLaw Career Training
Dates and Times TBA
This workshop is designed for 1L students. This session will provide you with the critical skills needed for your independent job search. Tips will be provided to better research employers who post with the school as well. You will learn how to research law firms, government agencies, judges, corporation and public interest organizations. You will also learn how to find relevant background information to dazzle interviewers! In conjunction with our office, the library will be holding Westlaw and Lexis Career training sessions. These sessions are required, and attendance will be taken. Each session will last for approximately 50 minutes.