Peer Career Fair

Upperclassmen pass down career and networking advice to 1Ls

Story by Kelsey Schreiberg

Photos by Maria Iacobo

The Trojan Network was in full swing at Crocker Plaza earlier this week as law students gathered for the second annual USC Gould School of Law Peer Career Fair. The event provided a unique opportunity for first year students to gain career and internship advice from 2Ls and 3Ls. The lunchtime fair was hosted by the Student Bar Association.

Students gather at the 2013 Peer Career Fair

As 1Ls streamed into the plaza, they gravitated to table booths designated by interest. There were four key sectors represented, including government/judicial, in house counsel, private practice, and public interest.

Students spoke about their experiences working for the Los Angeles County Public Defender, California Court of Appeal, Universal Music (Business Affairs), Disney/ABC (Labor Relations), White & Case LLP, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, & Flom, and the Children’s Law Center of California among others.

Dilveer Vahali ’13, President of the Student Bar Association, began planning the Peer Career Fair last fall.  

“We are trying to continue it every year as a way for the upperclassman to give back to the 1Ls,” he said.  

Ali Al-Sarraf ’13 was one of over sixty upperclassmen that volunteered to mentor. Al-Sarraf has a post-graduation job lined up at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, and saw the fair as a valuable learning experience.  

“Students gain insider tips on the application process, and we can help shed some light on what they need to do,” Al-Sarraf said.

Dilveer Vahali '13

Furthermore, every job application requires a different approach. This can be challenging when students are applying to multiple positions and balancing course work.

“There are a lot of different areas that [students are] interested in, and the procedures are completely different across the board,” Al-Sarraf explained.

While typical career fairs put students in contact with potential employers, the Peer Career Fair provided a uniquely relaxed setting. Students were able to ask logistical questions, discuss application concerns, and even get advice on what to wear to an interview.

 “This is a good way to leverage the experience we have within the law school to promote inter-classmate networking...We’re leveraging the Trojan network,” Vahali said.

No matter what area they were seeking information on, upperclassmen emphasized the importance of positioning oneself well early on in the job search.

“As a third year we’ve had more job experience than underclassman and its always important to share that experience and how beneficial it has been,” Megan Hopkins ’13 said.