For Students
At New York Law School, academic planning and career development are seamlessly integrated, and your professional life begins on Day One of Law School. The Office of Academic Planning and Career Development provides advising, resources, and networking opportunities to guide all students through the transition from law student to lawyer.
The 1L Year: Learning About the Profession
During the first year, students begin building their professional identity through Foundations for Professionalism, a required course that introduces the skills, resources, and strategies needed to navigate law school and start exploring career paths. In the fall, students identify their interests and strengths, develop résumés and cover letters, learn to network, and conduct informational interviews, while gaining familiarity with Symplicity and other career tools. First‑year students also meet with a counselor to discuss their initial career ideas, review their résumés and cover letters, and prepare job search strategies for summer employment. In the spring, students strengthen these skills through interview preparation, academic planning and course selection, and guidance for making the most of their summer legal internship. Throughout the year, our office is here as a reliable resource and partner in their professional journey.
The 2L Year: Building Your Professional Portfolio
Counselors continue to work with students one-on-one to advance more sophisticated career goals and develop a greater depth of skills and experiences. At the same time, the counselors also serve as academic advisors to guide students in selecting elective courses and selecting internships, externships, clinics, and job opportunities. Our goal is for each student to graduate with a coherent set of courses and experiences.
The 3L Year: Transitioning From Law Student to Lawyer
During the beginning of their third year, students meet with career counselors for a one-on-one “exit interview” to plan a post-graduate job search strategy. Counselors focus on helping law students prepare for the final steps of transitioning from law student to lawyer.
Evening Students: Getting and Staying on Track
The Office of Academic Planning and Career Development has developed a separate Professional Development Curriculum with evening students’ needs and schedules in mind, including all the skills-based training available to daytime students. In addition, the Office provides special office hours to accommodate an evening student’s busy schedule.
Coordinated Recruitment Programs
Beginning in the summer, and continuing through much of the fall semester, many legal employers recruit students for their summer programs and for post-graduate positions. NYLS invites law firms, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to review applications from students, and in many instances, interview them on campus.
Mentoring and Networking Programs
NYLS works with students to actively develop their professional networks and speak with lawyers working in their areas of interest.
Office of Academic Planning and Career Development
Academic Planning • T 212.431.2310 • E [email protected]
Career Development • T 212.431.2345 • E [email protected]