APALSA hosts ‘Ask an Alum’ event
—By Lori Craig
Summer jobs were on the minds of first-year students who attended the Asian-Pacific American Law Students Association’s “Ask an Alum” event Sept. 24.
Three recent USC Law graduates were on hand to answer any questions from students about the process of applying to summer and full-time positions, and the experiences of being a summer intern or first-year associate.
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| Chang, Mai and Banerjee spoke Sept. 24 |
“Don’t overwhelm yourself with the number of assignments you take on, but with the ones you do, do them well,” Banerjee said. “Messing up on an assignment is a lot worse than not taking an assignment.”
Plus, be enthusiastic and social and meet as many people as possible – that’s what summer interns are there for, he said.
The average summer intern will probably bill three to five hours each day, between catching up on e-mails and attending social events, lunches, happy hours and coffee breaks, the alumni said.
Mai recommended that students who want to join a firm after law school pursue a summer job with a firm – though that is easier said than done, especially for 1Ls, as positions are in high demand.
“Regardless, do something that you’re really interested in because it might be your only shot to do so,” Chang said. “And, you’re going to be able to talk about it (in job interviews.)”
Asked about what grades firm applicants need, the alumni said firms often have a rough cutoff, but no hard-and-fast rules.
“If you don’t have the best grades, interview everywhere, because you will find firms that like you and they will fight for you,” Mai said.
Given the shaky economic outlook, students inquired about job prospects and whether the alumni are worried about layoffs. The alumni said they’ve been reassured by their firms.
“We’re not affected as heavily right now as the New York market,” Mai said. “If you do bankruptcy, today’s market is the best you could ask for.”
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