To help first-year students prepare for the Spring On-Campus Interview program this Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 14 and 15, the Career Services Office on Feb. 7 presented tips “that will hopefully make the job search process seem less stressful,” said Matt DeGrushe, assistant dean of career services.
“Most of the hiring process is going to happen in the coming months,” DeGrushe told 1Ls. “I know everyone would rather have the offers sooner rather than later, but just know that the opportunities are still out there.”
At the end of last February, about one-third of first-year students had their summer employment lined up. As illustrated (above right), most students received offers in March and April.
Also, while hiring for large law firms and federal judicial externships is wrapping up during the coming weeks, DeGrushe said, a variety of 
positions will be available through June (see graphic).
More than 120 first-year students will participate in interviews for summer positions with 30 employers, including law firms, corporations, public interest organizations and government agencies.
Students should not depend on OCI as their only job search strategy, DeGrushe said. All 1Ls – especially those who will not participate in OCI – should start researching employers. Also, the 1L binder given to all first-year students last November contains information on where current 2Ls and 3Ls worked during their 1L summer. Those students can provide job hunt advice and invaluable information on how they found their jobs and what they thought of their employment experience.
The CSO also is offering a networking opportunity scheduled for March 6. USC Law will host a small- and mid-size law firm reception, featuring law school alumni, at the University Club from 6 to 8 p.m.
(Below is a graphic that shows where 1Ls found summer employment in 2006.)
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