Students
The Career Development Office assists students by providing one-on-one career counseling, interview coaching, career programming and resources, and access to employers through our on-campus interview programs.
Networkx
Log into Networkx for an interactive timeline with month-by-month instructions on planning and preparing for your future career. Networkx is the platform used to find information on job postings, on-campus interviews, application resources, employment surveys and more.
One-on-One Career Advising
Our staff has extensive expertise in job preparedness and can provide you direct assistance with the following:
- Resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile assistance
- Mock interviews
- What to do and not do for interviews (e.g. group interviews, Zoom interviews or in-person interviews)
- Career counseling and negotiating job offers
- Assistance with clerkship applications
Events
On-Campus Interviews (OCIs)
We partner with lawyers and judges from around the region every September and February to match students with employers for internships, associate positions and clerkships.
Panels
Each year topics include clerkships, the BETTR Section, military law, resume tips and interviewing. Usually over the lunch hour, these events bring in alumni, lawyers and judges from around the state to share their expertise.
Workshops
We work with you on writing sample issues, cover letters, mock interviews and career strategy sessions.
For a listing of career development opportunities and other Blewett School of Law events, see our Calendar of Events in Griz Hub.
Professional Clothing Closet
Do you need something to wear for an interview? Our Professional Clothing Closet aims to help eliminate financial hurdles for students entering the workforce while promoting sustainable and reused clothing options. All items are free, so take as many as you need.
Donations to the Professional Clothing Closet can be dropped off at the Career Development office.
AccessLex
AccessLex provides resources on financial education and accessibility for law students to help you successfully manage your time and resources.
1L Timeline
AUGUST-OCTOBER
- Familiarize yourself with Networkx. The Career Development Office has created a Networkx account for you—login and update your profile. Do a tutorial or workshop. All jobs are posted here and many require that you apply through Networkx.
- Do a law self-assessment. The Career Development Office has a variety of assessments available on Networkx.
- Begin working with the Career Development Office. We are happy to meet with students on a walk-in basis if we are available for quick questions or schedule an appointment for a more in-depth analysis of your career options. 1L students should set up one-on-one appointments after October 15. 1Ls do not participate in the Fall OCI.
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
- 1st priority – be prepared for finals!
- Prepare your legal resume. Have your legal resume and cover letter in final form before seeking review from the Career Development Office. Here is general information on resumes, as well as a template to review prior to drafting.
- Start looking for summer internships. Employers start posting positions for 1L students. Keep checking Networkx and apply to any positions that interest you. Set notifications for new jobs. Don’t wait for postings if you know where you want to work. Send a targeted cover letter and a resume to desired employers via email, mail, or both. If you are traveling back to your hometown during winter break, this is a good time to contact employers in your area.
- Ask the Career Development Office about Reciprocity. If you are interested in seeking employment outside of Montana, the Career Development Office can seek reciprocity from other law schools allowing you to gain access to their job postings. Reciprocity is usually not available in the fall. Please review the other school’s reciprocity policy and provide us with the contact information for the Career Development Office at the school with which you seek reciprocity.
DECEMBER-JANUARY-WINTER BREAK
- Finish general application materials. If you have not completed application materials, the break is a good time to work on them. You need a resume and general cover letter which can be personalized for every application. You also should have a reference list, transcript, and writing sample. The Career Development Office is open during winter break to help.
- Apply for summer jobs. Make Networkx a “favorite” and keep checking for new job postings. Also use this time to send targeted applications to employers of your choice.
- Out-of-State job search. Spend time over winter break researching potential employers and meeting with those in your area of interest. Research tools and out of state job posting sites are available in the Networkx Resource Library.
- Apply for a volunteer summer internship with the U.S. Department of Justice. The DOJ accepts applications for their volunteer summer internships from December through February. Work study money may be available to help compensate for these unpaid public service positions.
FEBRUARY-MARCH
- Get ready to interview. Some local law firms interview early in February, be prepared! The Career Development Office can do mock interviews to help you practice and have sample questions and interview tips available.
- Apply for Spring On-Campus Interviews (OCI). Continue applying for summer internships but also be aware that employers will post positions and visit campus in late February to interview students over a three-day period.
- Apply for study abroad programs. Begin applying for summer study abroad programs. We offer a study abroad program in China and Ireland.
- Research summer fellowship opportunities. Equal Justice Works (EJW) accepts applications for the Rural Summer Legal Corps in February. EJW also accepts applications for the AmeriCorps JD in mid-March.
- Participate in Spring On-Campus Interview Weekend. All OCI postings are on Networkx. Have your resume and cover letters ready and be prepared to interview. If you haven’t met with the CDO yet, make an appointment.
APRIL-MAY
- Expand your job search. Touch base with the smaller firms you may have contacted earlier in the year. Try to be flexible and expand your search type and location. 1L summer positions are much harder to find than 2L positions.
- Law School opportunities. The law school will hire students to conduct research for faculty and as Junior Partners for the following academic year, posted on Networkx.
- Explore volunteer/pro bono opportunities. While not paying, they can help build your resume. You can volunteer to work for a firm or organization you are interested in.
- Complete the summer internship questionnaire on Networkx. It helps us help you.
SUMMER
- Apply with large, urban law firms in other states. Large law firms in Seattle, Portland, Denver, etc. accept applications early in the summer after the 1L year and will interview later in the summer. Research the law firms where you might want to work through the NALP’s Directory of Legal Employers and then carefully review the law firm’s individual website for more details.
National Association for Law Placement Directory