1Ls matched with 2Ls, 3Ls at picnic
Starting law school is a tremendous undertaking. To ease the adjustment for new students, the Women’s Law Association (WLA) at USC Gould organized a Peer Mentorship Program to help 1Ls acclimate to law school by providing them with friendship, advice, and career guidance.
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| 2012 Mentor Picnic |
The organization’s executive board selected 50 2Ls and 3Ls to personally mentor the 1Ls who signed up for the program. The pairings matched students based on common personal and professional interests. To kick off the program, about 100 students enjoyed a picnic in Crocker Plaza to get to know each other at an informal gathering.
The event was part of the WLA’s overarching efforts to support women both during their time in law school and as lawyers working in the community.
Rochelle Emert ’14, WLA president, was thrilled with the turnout.
“1L is a hard year, so it is helpful to know someone who has come out of it on the other side,” she said.
Mentors had varying career objectives, but shared the desire to support Gould’s newest class during this adjustment period.
Rachael Rezabeck, a 2L studying complex commercial litigation, is hoping to spare her mentees some of the stresses she faced as a first year student.
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| 2012 Mentor Picnic |
“I want to help guide them and walk them through any difficult situations before they arise rather than after they happen,” she said.
In addition to connecting students with each other, Emert believes the Peer Mentorship Program will foster connections with female alumni within the Trojan Family. She is busy organizing a USC WLA alumni networking event to take place next semester.
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| Rochelle Emert ’14 |
“USC alumni want to extend law students the same courtesy that they were offered when they were here,” she said. “They are part of the ‘leg up’ that USC offers. I don’t see that at other schools.”
The Peer Mentorship Program promotes a sense of camaraderie among female law students, and Emert reminded 1Ls to trust that everything will work out.
“Having a mentor helped me keep perspective on what's important and ultimately succeed 1L year," she said.
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