You should be looking at OCIP as just one tool in your job search toolbox. Those who rely exclusively on OCIP are limiting themselves to a very small slice of the larger legal marketplace (i.e., primarily very large, private sector defense-side corporate law firms).
Take charge of your own career decisions. Consider:
• b-Line jobs: Apply directly to many employers who want to recruit Boalt students, but are unable to visit campus. Listings are updated on a daily basis so check back frequently
•applying directly to employers not participating in the OCIP and not in b-Line (contact a CDO attorney-counselor for help in identifying appropriate targets)
•Public Interest: Work with Linda Maranzana, our public interest attorney counselor. Also, be sure to check out pslawnet.org.
•Public Sector: Work with Eric Stern, our public sector cuonselor. The Government Honors and Internships Handbook is a good place to start your research.
•Use your network: Explore other options with the @Cal Career Network, the Boalt Alumni Network, or contact your undergraduate institution to access its career network opportunities.
In pursuing these other options, you should be sensitive to the timeframe that other employers may be on in considering candidates for positions. For example, regional firms in other cities may be conducting on campus interviews right now at their local law schools. So, it’s not always best to be waiting to see how OCIP works out for you before pursuing other avenues for securing a summer or permanent position.
Talk to one of the attorney-counselors to develop of parallel strategy to OCIP.