Dear Rising 2Ls,
We hope you are having a great summer! We know that you have already gotten many emails from our office related to the 2L summer job search, but we’re reaching out to highlight the information that is most relevant to those of you planning to work in public interest and public sector jobs next summer.
First, as always, you are welcome to meet with us (by phone or in person) over the summer to discuss your job search and strategy. Make an appointment online, and if you want to meet by phone, just say so in the “Reason for Appointment” field.
Timing: The 2L PI/PS summer job search begins as early as August for some employers, and we generally advise that 2Ls complete their PI/PS summer job hunt by Thanksgiving to avoid having to compete for positions with 1Ls. But every year 2Ls secure great internships with nonprofits, private public interest firms, or government entities in the spring as well.
Finding the Best Opportunities: As a 2L, your summer job search should be more specific and targeted, so put some thought into what you most need from your 2L summer. Where can you get experience to complement the skills you’re building now and will build over next year? Which employers routinely host successful project-based fellows? Which ones hire straight from law school?
When researching employers, remember that your fellow students can be a great resource. Over 200 Berkeley Law students are working in public interest or public sector jobs this summer. Check out the list of where the Class of 2016 is working – all students listed have agreed to be contacted about their experiences.
Applying Through On-Campus Interview Programs & On Your Own: You have already received important information from our office on our two on-campus interview programs: Early Interview Week (EIW) and the Fall Interview Program (FIP).
PIPS employers participate in BOTH programs, and they are continuing to register. You can review the full current list, and the list of PIPS employers who came to EIW and FIP last year.
Most PIPS employers choose to participate in FIP, but these four PIPS employers have registered for EIW:
- Federal Reserve Board
- Internal Revenue Service
- Altshuler Berzon
- Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein
Keep in mind that if you want to apply to any of these four, it is important to pay attention to the deadlines for EIW. For more information about participating in FIP, see FIP Mechanics on the CDO website.
Many of you will find your 2L summer jobs by applying directly to employers. Although we work hard to encourage PIPS employers to participate in on-campus interviewing, the reality is that many non-profits, government agencies, and private public interest firms prefer to do their summer hiring on their own timeline and through their own process.
B-Line and PSJD.org remain the best places to find job postings, but you don’t need to wait for postings to appear before you can apply. There are no restrictions on when you can begin applying, so go ahead and contact employers over the summer to ask about positions for the summer of 2016.
Application Materials: Make Them Excellent
PIPS employers expect 2L applicants to send them polished and targeted cover letters and resumes. The CDO website has resources to help:
- PIPS Cover Letter Quick Guide (pdf)
- Short cover letter and resume webcasts (both under 5 minutes long)
- Webcast of 4-12-13 presentation “Cover Letters: Ten Keys to Success” (60 min.) — guidance on writing cover letters that will help you stand out in a good way. Handout (pdf): two model letters for public interest summer jobs.
We encourage you to send drafts to us for review before you start sending them out! If you send in your materials for FIP 1 applications by 9 a.m. on Monday, July 20, we will get them back to you by the end of Wednesday, July 29.
Our schedules and areas of expertise:
- Eric Stern: government agencies and judicial externships
- Melanie Rowen (out 7/15 – 7/20): nonprofits, government agencies (including public defenders), private public interest firms
- Alex Lee (out 7/20 – 7/21): nonprofits, government agencies (including district attorneys and US Attorneys)
Getting Help
If you have questions about anything above, please don’t hesitate to contact us or make an appointment. Stay tuned for additional information and resources for the 2L PIPS summer job search in the coming weeks.