Large law firms participate in USC Gould's Summer On-Campus Interview Program. During fall and spring, we host government agencies, public interest organizations, corporations and mostly small to mid-sized law firms. NOTE: Because of COVID-19, OCI will be held virtually.
We recognize that not all students will secure their jobs through our On-Campus Interviews and job fairs. The Career Services Office maintains an extensive job-posting database that lists summer, part-time and full-time opportunities. In addition, numerous events are held throughout the year aimed at bringing students and attorneys together for networking purposes. To achieve success in the job search, students work closely with a career counselor to formulate a personalized job search strategy and identify potential resources that best fit individual needs.
An increasing number of USC Gould graduates choose to begin their professional careers outside of Southern California and are successful in doing so. If you wish to work in other markets, you will work closely with a career counselor in the Career Services Office to develop a proactive long-distance job search strategy and tap the legendary USC Gould alumni network for support and assistance. In addition, our students interview at the Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, and Texas off-campus recruitment fairs held annually in these markets.
While finding a full-time position in the entertainment field upon graduation is challenging, we offer many resources to USC Gould students interested in this career path. As early as possible in your law school career, we recommend that you meet with USC Gould graduates in the entertainment industry to learn more about this career path, secure relevant internships, pursue our Media and Entertainment certificate, and enlist the assistance of one of our dedicated career counselors.
Each year approximately 10 to 20 percent of our graduates start their careers at government agencies and public interest organizations. Knowledgeable career counselors in the Career Services Office will advise you in your summer and full-time public-sector job searches. In addition, we offer numerous career workshops and events that showcase and prepare you for these rewarding and important career settings. The annual Public Interest Career Day highlights hundreds of interviewing employers and relevant career panels, and USC Gould sponsors students to attend the Equal Justice Works conference and job fair in Washington D.C. Further, you will have access to numerous print and online materials specifically geared toward careers in public interest law and government.
Each year, several graduates pursue careers outside the practice of law, referred to as JD Advantage jobs. If you are interested in these alternative careers, you will work closely with a career counselor to identify potential career paths that match your interests and skills. A sampling of opportunities secured by recent graduates includes JD Advantage positions in the compliance, accounting, consulting, real estate, entertainment talent management and financial services arenas.
One of the most important things you should do in the beginning of your time in law school is to determine how you want to use your law degree upon graduation. You need not limit your interests to one specific career path. Exploring as many potential career paths as possible will help you find the best path for your interests, which, in turn, will guide you in best utilizing your time in law school in terms of coursework, internships and other career-related opportunities.
