B547 – Public Interest Internship Program Workshop

Office of Career & Professional DevelopmentIndiana University Maurer School of Law

Overview - B547 Public Interest Internship Program

Unpaid Legal Internship during summer Public Interest Sector - Major Areas:

Judicial Clerkships Legal Services/Aid Advocacy Nonprofits – Clients, Causes or Policy Other Nonprofits – Foundations, Arts, etc. Governmental Agencies – Federal, state & local

No Law Firms or For-profit Corporations

Benefits of Program

Develop Job Search Skills Receive Valuable Legal Experience Build Resume Gain Potential Reference Kick Start Career Exploration Earn 1-4 Credits (at In-State Tuition Rate) Eligible for Financial Aid

*Source: NALP Survey 2003

First Summer - What 1L’s Do

% of Students – Nationally*

% of Students

– IUB

Worked Only 73.8% 83.2

Summer school/study abroad

7.7 7.2

Worked and studied 16.8 7.2

Did not work or study 1.7 2.1

Class of 2009Summer

JobsPost Graduation

Judicial Clerkship 23% 11%

Firm (all sizes) 15% 45%

Public Interest 22% 3%

Local Gov’t 9% 6%

State Gov’t 9% 3%

Federal Gov’t 7% 11%

Business 10% 17%

Academia 5% 4% 3

Source: NALP Suvey 2003

Timing of Summer Job Offers

% of Students

April 27.4

March 23.9

May 19.7

February 10.5

June 6.8

January 6.1

December 2.3

July 1.8

OCPD Job Search Resources

Primary Source = OCPD Web Page Public Interest Internship Program (B547) – see

“Clerkships, Externships, Fellowships & Internships”http://www.law.indiana.edu/students/clinic/public.shtml “Online Resources”: 1. Federal & State Judicial2. Federal & State Government3. Public Interest – see especially http://

www.law.indiana.edu/careers/resources/public.shtml

OCPD Resources (con’t)

OCPD Library Gov’t Honors & Internship Handbook Federal & State Judicial Guides Federal & State Gov’t Guides Indiana & Illinois Legal Directories – Courts,

Prosecutors, Public Defenders Various Public Interest Directories

Judicial Clerkships - State

Welcome “free help” (no $$) Start with a phone call (see “script” on

B547 page) – don’t be bashful! Applications accepted in the spring Often first-come, first-serve; some now

more competitive/selective Consider different types of courts (e.g.,

tax, family, juvenile, trial, appellate)

Judicial Clerkships – Resources

OCPD Web Page > “Online Resources” > “State and Local Judicial” link State Court Sites - www.statelocalgov.net State Gov’t Web Sites – e.g., Access Indiana Vermont State Judicial Guide Indiana & Illinois Legal Directories

Federal Courts (very rare) - www.uscourts.gov; contact Prof. Seth Lahn for Fed. Cts. In Indiana

Classic Public Interest

Legal Services/Aid Public Defenders Advocacy Nonprofits – Clients, Causes or Policy Other Nonprofits – Foundations, etc. Seeking “committed, passionate” applicants May have application/selection process Available throughout spring semester

Public Interest – Resources

OCPD Web Page > “Online Resources” > “Public Interest” link –http://www.law.indiana.edu/careers/resources/public.shtml

PSLawNet – www.pslawnet.org (User name=IU email) Equal Justice Works - www.equaljusticeworks.org NEW - Public Policy Handbook (see OCPD for access) Everett Public Service Internship Program Harvard Job Search Guide NLADA – www.nlada.org

State & Local Government

Likewise welcome “free help” Any State Agency, not just AG’s Prosecutors or District Attorneys City or County Attorneys (~ population) Available during spring May not be posted positions - contact

them directly to determine availability

State & Local Gov’t – Resources

OCPD Web Page > “Online Resources” > “State and Local Government” link – esp. www.statelocalgov.net

Any county Prosecutor or D.A’s office www.prosecutor.org

OCPD Library City/County Attorney Internship Book Gov’t Honors & Internship Handbook (few) Indiana/Illinois Legal Directories

Federal Government

Some have application deadlines – esp. if position requires security clearance

Probably more competitive; possibly first-come, first-serve basis

Rarely lead to F/T positions, but great experience and networking

Federal Govt is not only D.C.!

Federal Gov’t – Resources

OCPD Web Page > “Online Resources” > “Federal Government” link

Gov’t Honors & Internship Handbook Public Policy Handbook Office of Personal Management site –

www.usajobs.gov Agency Information Gateway –

www.studentjobs.gov Other directories

Additional OCPD Resources

Prior B547 Internship Database - Symplicity Actual Job Postings on Symplicity (B547) Limited On-Campus Interviews (OCI) and

Resume Collections (RC) DC On-Location Recruiting Event – 3/15 Spring Break Trip - DC (3/16-3/17) and NYC

(3/18-3/19)

Source: NALP 2008 Survey

How are Jobs Found?Sources of Jobs (National Avg.)

0

5

10

15

20

25

Fall OCI

Job fair/consortia

Job posting

Commercial internet site

Return to prior job

Start own practice

Spring OCI

Temp agency

Other

Referral

Self-initiated contact

How Are Jobs Found?Sources of Jobs (National Avg.)

Combined Referral & Self Initiated into Self Directed

37.4

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Fall OCI

Job fair/consortia

Job posting

Commercial internet site

Return to prior job

Start own practice

Spring OCI

Temp agency

Other

Self-directed

Remember

Most positions unadvertised/not posted Unpaid legal internships are more valuable

(both for your career and your long-term financial well being) than other options

Consider jobs outside of Bloomington area Very competitive market - Get started! Come see OCPD for help and guidance

Administrative & FinancialConcerns

Administrative Kim Bunge, Assistant Director, OCPD

Financial Aid Paul Leopold, Director of Financial Aid