Why not get a head start?
You’re going to want some income when this is over. You’re going to need to pay back the loans, buy some more beer, and keep a roof over your head. What’s the downside of spending some of your free time getting a jump on things?
You may not have much free time, but you’ve got some. Use it wisely. This is a great time to invest in your future beyond what you’re learning in the classroom.
Use those extra few minutes to engage in some low-risk, high-reward activities you can do now that will pay off later—guaranteed. Find a few minutes a week to make things happen so that, when you graduate, you’ll have more options for earning an income.
These are my top 10 activities for every law student’s must-do list:
1. Attend Continuing Education Programs
Look for student rates for continuing education programs and go for it. Use the programs to meet lawyers and start building your network. Strike up a conversation with the lawyer to your left and to your right, and use the breaks strategically. Personally, I’d skip class to go to a CLE if you can pull it off (and I did when I was in school). Getting to know lawyers, especially in years two and three, is more valuable than what you’ll hear in class.
2. Join Bar Associations
Start with the bar association near your school. Then branch out into the association where you’d like to work. Get involved. Typically, you’ll find low price (or free) memberships for students. Then engage, get involved, and use your membership. Lots of committees meet by conference call, and you can jump in before you move to the place where you plan to work. A huge percentage of bar association activity takes place online. Don’t wait.
3. Jump Into the American Bar Association (ABA)
The national nature of the ABA may put you off. Don’t let it. The ABA has special rates and opportunities for students. If you’re attending school in the right area, then ABA events might work out for you. Obviously, traveling long distances to events can get expensive, but if you can make it happen, you’ll get a jump on the competition. Get engaged and look for opportunities to meet people and make yourself visible.
4. Visit the Courthouse
Spend time observing at the courthouse, city hall, zoning board, or wherever it is that lawyers are working. Watch, listen, and don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to the lawyers involved after things wrap up. Being at the right place at the right time starts with getting up and getting out. You never know when opportunities will pop up. You’ll miss them if you’re not there.
5. Ask Your Professors for Help
Ask your professors for help. Get introductions, ideas, and feedback about what you can do—now—to enhance your prospects. These folks are typically wired in to the local legal community, and lawyers hold law school professors in high regard. You’ll be surprised to find that your peers rarely ask their professors for assistance. You’ll also be surprised at how excited your teachers are to help. They’ve been waiting to be asked. Many of them actually like you.
6. Use Your Family to Meet Lawyers
Use your family connections to meet more lawyers. Find out who knows whom and push for introductions. I’ve had lots of meetings with the cousin of some cousin or whatever. It’s hard to say no to family. Your discussion with the distantly related lawyer may result in nothing. But it might result in more introductions, connections, and opportunities. You don’t know what’ll happen until you make something happen.
7. Leverage Social Media
Be honest on social media. Tell your story. Explain your dreams. Detail how others might help, and then ask for help. Reach out and ask. Asking is what winners do. They don’t wait for offers. They don’t assume something will come along. They ask. You’ve got this network of people out there who enjoying being useful. Let them know that you need some help. Be open and vulnerable, be real, and explain your aspirations, fears, and goals.
8. Shine on Your Blog
Law review articles are written by law students, and they’re boring. Insomnia? Read a law review article. You may never wake up. But we trust law students to do the scholarly work, so why not do it with a blog? Make it interesting, accessible, and free, and get the word out. You’re reading my blog. Why wouldn’t people read yours? Use your blog to showcase your talent for turning complex ideas into something understandable. Add value for your readers. Give them something useful that’ll result in them remembering you. Let your personality show through in your writing. Use emotion, tell stories, and build connections. Your blog represents you better than any résumé or interview ever will.
9. Share 10 Ideas
James Altucher can’t stop talking about turning yourself into an idea machine, and he’s right. Ideas are a good thing. Why not spend some time generating ideas and passing them along to lawyers you meet? What could they do to improve their website? What recent law review articles should they read? You get the idea. Do some thinking and then pass it along.
10. Lunch
Invite a lawyer to lunch weekly. They’ll nearly always agree and, more often than not, they’ll pick up the tab. E-mail someone, make your pitch, and see what happens. Once you’ve got a lunch or two behind you, it’ll get easier and easier. Come prepared with a list of questions about the lawyer. Make it clear that you’ve reviewed her website, LinkedIn profile, etc., and grill her on how she achieved what she achieved. Push, push, push with your questions. Lawyers love talking about themselves. Let her talk.
Should you do all 10 of the above? Yes, if you want to be wildly successful. Do five to nine of the ideas, and you’ll be moderately successful. Use just one, and you’ll still be way ahead of your classmates. What have you got to lose?
You deserve a head start. Your willingness to try harder works for you. Now is your chance to get ahead.
