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First Year, First Semester
 Study, study, study!
Start the self-assessment process; evaluate your strengths, areas to improve, values, interests.
Consider study abroad programs and apply (typically from November to February). Information regarding the different programs is located in the Study Abroad file cabinet in the Career Services Library.
Attend Career Services workshops.
Explore various school activities and possibility of becoming involved (for example, moot court, student associations/clubs, pro bono programs).
Get to know professors and students in the second and third-year classes.
Submit resume for review through Dean's Session assignment.
Attend Career Services' first-year orientation session; job strategies and options will be discussed; get to know resources/books in the Career Resource Center.
December - Some of the larger firms around the nation will accept applications from first-year students after December 1, but will not consider the application until after December 15. Most of these firms will not make offers without first-year grades.
Paid legal employment opportunities for first-year students are limited, but do not let this stop you from applying. The first semester, first-year students should not initiate contact with prospective employers before December 1.
Consider volunteering over winter break to begin gaining legal experience.
First Year, Second Semester
Study, study, study!
After first-semester exams through January - prepare application materials: resume, writing sample and transcript. Have resume reviewed by the Career Services Office staff.
Attend a Symplicity.com orientation and Log On to the Symplicity system.
January - Large firms (with fairly rigid hiring criteria) will continue to consider first-year applications. After grades are available, explore job options with the large Phoenix and national firms that are not interviewing during the Spring Recruitment Program.
January - Attend Career Services' Spring Recruitment Program orientation.
February - Spring On-campus interviews begin (approximately 10 to 15 firms/organizations visit campus to interview students).
February - Information session for summer/fall externships and resume collection.
Continue to assess your job interests, think broadly about options, and research and explore opportunities. Consider internships, externships, volunteer opportunities, and the many other opportunities around the nation.
Use the many resources available in the Career Services Office to explore job options and interests.
Network, join student activities and competitions, attend seminars, and find ways to meet attorneys in the community, continue to meet upperclassmen and faculty.
Anytime from mid-March through June, explore employment options and opportunities and apply.
Summer - Work (part-time/full-time; legal/nonlegal), play, summer school, study abroad, externship, and volunteer opportunities.
Second Year, First Semester
August - Update resume and writing sample and order transcripts. Have resume reviewed and critiqued.
August - Apply for judicial clerkships. Attend judicial clerkship information sessions, prepare materials and apply for judicial clerkships. Materials include resume, writing sample, transcript and three letters of recommendation.
Attend a Symplicity.com orientation and log on to the Symplicity system, or update profile.
August, September, October - Attend orientation and participate in Fall Recruitment program.
September - Apply for the Legislative Intern program. (This program allows students to work at the State legislature during the spring semester for 20 hours per week. Students earn externship credit and are awarded a tuition waiver and stipend. Hiring preference is generally given to third-year students.)
Attend workshops and panels.
Continue with self-assessment process, evaluate interests and explore options.
Use the resources in the Career Services Office to explore options; check out books from the Career Library.
October - Information meeting for spring externships and resume collection.
October/November - Truman Young Fellowship information session and resume collection through the Law School Clinic. The fellowship offers one student the opportunity to work in the City of Phoenix, U.S. Attorney's Office, Attorney General's Office and the Maricopa County Prosecutor's Office. The fellowship commences the summer of the second year and continues through third year; awards 10 credits and a stipend.
October - Attend all Small/Mid-size firm events.
Network, network, network - Stay involved in school and community activities; know faculty and classmates.
Second Year, Second Semester
February - Participate in Spring Recruitment program.
February - Attend the Government/Public Interest Job Fair in the Law School Rotunda.
March - Information session for summer/fall externships and resume collection.
Attend a Symplicity.com orientation and Log On to the Symplicity system, or update profile.
Continue evaluating interests and job options; explore and obtain experience in those areas.
Mid-March through June, explore and pursue employment interests and apply for jobs.
Consider working part-time during the semester; many part-time positions continue through the summer.
Attend workshops and panels.
Network, network, network - Stay involved in school/community activities and seek leadership roles and ways to continue to meet attorneys.
Third Year, First Semester
August, September, October - Fall Recruitment Program (limited third-year opportunities).
Attend a Symplicity.com orientation and Log On to the Symplicity system, or update profile.
September - Applications available for the Legislative Intern program.
October - Attend all Small Firm Week activities.
October - Information meeting for spring externships and resume collection.
Attend workshops and panels.
Create a job search plan and apply to firms/organizations of interest.
Explore fellowship opportunities. Fellowships are year-long employment opportunities that are generally associated with government, academic or public interest organizations.
Continue self-assessment process and re-evaluate interests and job options - think broadly about options.
Network, network, network - Attend continuing legal education (CLE) classes, stay involved in activities.
Third Year, Second Semester
Bar applications for July bar are generally due around February 1.
Continue self-assessment process - Solidify general areas of interest and career goals.
Attend a Symplicity.com orientation and Log On to the Symplicity system, or update profile.
Apply for positions in line with your interests. Keep in mind that most firms/organizations hire based on need, and permanent job- hiring opportunities are limited at this time. Most of the third-year students who are seeking employment will locate jobs after they pass the bar. Government/public interest hire after bar results.
Network, network, network - Stay in touch with the contacts developed through three years of school!
Join Young Lawyer's Division of Bar.
Don't worry if you have not located full-time employment. Generally only 50 percent of the graduating class is employed at the time of graduation. Stay positive, you will get a job!
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