First-year Students Start Job Hunt at firm·wise
First-year students at the University of Chicago Law School aren't waiting to start their search for post-law school employment. Nearly three-fourths of the class last week took advantage of firm·wise, the Law School's annual recruiting event solely for first-year students.
firm·wise was created four years ago as a response to a boon of 1L recruiting events that law firms began hosting. Recognizing that the large number of events might become too much for students to manage, the Law School's Office of Career Services arranged a one-time event to bring law firms to the Law School. The result would ease students' lives and maximize their exposure to the firms, as well as prepare them for on-campus interviewing with law firms, which occurs before the start of their second year.
firm·wise is designed to be a casual way to help students get to know firms and pinpoint the qualities the firms seek in new hires, as well as make students more comfortable with networking. To emphasize the low-pressure environment, students are advised to leave their resumes at home and law firms are asked not to collect them.
The level of interest from law firms this year reflects the improving job market for law graduates, said Lois Casaleggi, senior director in the Office of Career Services. In 2009, a plunging economy led many firms, large and small, to reconsider recruitment practices. Forty-two firms attended firm·wise this year, still below the standard capacity of 60, but an increase from the previous year.
"Employers are still being mindful of recruiting, but they're always interested in attracting the best law students to their firms," Casaleggi said.
The Law School's Green Lounge was filled with small tables staffed by representatives from various firms. Each can send two attorneys, and this year, 51 of the representatives were Law School alumni. Students made rounds alone or in small groups to ask about the firms' practice areas and various offices.
The Office of Career Services encourages students to be tactical about the tables they visit. Maps of the Green Lounge are provided showing firms and assigned tables. Before the students attend firm·wise, they also are encouraged in a prep session to do some research on the firms and to take stock of their own lives and what they want in a law career. Above all, students are encouraged to relax.
"First-year students should use this opportunity to network without the worry that a job is on the line," Casaleggi said. "We tell them, 'The firms are here to see you.'"
Go here to view a slideshow of Chicago Law students at firm·wise.