Monday, July 9, 2012

Sensational Summer

Sensational Summer As the saying goes, the second year they work you to death. There is, however, an easy way out of this dilemma at Lewis and Clark: switch your class load to part time. I made the choice back in December to reduce my class load, and I couldn’t be happier. At that time, my expectation was that I could enjoy a reduced class load, and still stay on my original graduation schedule. I was wrong. It’s good to take a break from the daily grind and get some fresh air. Instead, I’m switching back to full time status for my third year of law school. According to my sources, the third year is when they bore you to death. Rather than suffer such a fate, I plan to finish my J.D. one term early. Just one more benefit of Lewis & Clark’s vast array of scheduling options, in combination with a little summer school. This summer, I’m picking up three credits through an externship. Volunteering my time for credit at the ACLU of Oregon has turned out to be one of the best decisions of my law school experience. Thanks to the extra credits, I am moving my graduation up to December of this year. On top of that, I am gaining incredibly valuable experience and perspective on the world of public interest law. I’ve had a chance to do meaningful work on the constitutional issues of the day, while also building my legal research and writing skills, and even had the opportunity to make a presentation to a panel of attorneys. The externship program has allowed me to structure my volunteering around my own educational needs, and has been great for my confidence and competence as a legal professional. Of course, summer is not for work alone. I’ve also had a chance to engage in recreational activities, with a focus on running whitewater. Oregon is blessed with an abundance of wild and scenic rivers, and with a climate that makes summer the perfect time to explore them. Unlike the rest of the nation, temperatures here have remained moderate so far this summer, making outdoor pursuits a pure pleasure. My adventures have taken me to rain-fed coastal rivers, glacier-fed high-desert waterways, and dam-controlled whitewater in the lush Willamette valley. I’ve found that keeping a balance between work and fun lifts my spirits, and also provides plenty of grist for conversation when networking. This is perhaps the most important, and most overlooked, part of being a law student. Making the connections you will need as an attorney is a crucial part of making the most of the law school experience. Career services at Lewis & Clark has great programs on campus, and the school engages in a lot of community outreach, but the key is putting yourself out there. Join a bar association or two, add yourself to some legal networking lists, and get some face time with the members of your preferred bar. There is no time like the present for making connections that will serve your future.