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Career Development Timeline for 1Ls

August and September

• Focus on your coursework, develop strong study skills, and keep up with all assigned readings.
• Get involved! Join student groups that interest you or are related to your projected career goals.
• Attend the CDO's mandatory 1L Orientation.
• To learn more about criminal law, attend the CDO’s Criminal Law Career Planning presentation.

October

• Attend the CDO’s mandatory Resume and Cover Letter Workshop.
• Schedule an appointment with your primary counselor.
• Begin work on your cover letter and resume.
• Update or create a Linked In profile and order business cards.
• Get in the habit of reading the CDO’s weekly newsletter.
• Attend lectures, programs, and events on campus on subjects that interest you.
• Attend the 1L Summer Job Information Fair to learn about summer possibilities from 2Ls & 3Ls.
• Familiarize yourself with resources on the Career Development website and research different types of legal careers.
• Explore joining bar associations and attending section meetings and events.
• Register and set up your LEO account.
• To learn how to receive academic credit for your summer job, attend the workshop led by Director of Externships, D'Lorah Hughes.

November

• Develop a customized job search strategy for your preferred 1L summer plan.
• Attend the CDO’s Lessons Learned: 1L Diversity Applications and read more about law firm diversity programs.
• Finalize your resume and cover letter.
• Review job postings on LEO and plan ahead to apply to employers who hire early.

December

• Starting December 1st, begin applying for jobs and continue to regularly review job postings on LEO.
• Follow up on pending applications. Attempt to schedule interviews over winter break if you will spend the vacation in the same place you hope to spend your summer.
• Schedule informational interviews. Meet with one or two contacts during winter break.
• Think about which pro bono projects you want to volunteer for next semester.

January and February

• Continue to check LEO and apply to additional positions.
• Attend workshops, presentations, and networking events.
• Once your grades are available, follow up on outstanding applications.
• Check in with your primary counselor. 
• Attend the CDO’s mandatory Interviewing Skills and Public Interest Career Day Workshop.
• Register for and attend Public Interest Career Day at UCLA.
• Apply for positons through the Spring Interview Program.
• Note: Plan to complete your summer position by the end of July if you want to participate in Early Interview Week (EIW).

March through May

• Attend Speed Mentoring. 
• Be aware of deadlines for summer funding, including the Public Interest Law Fund (PILF) and other fellowships and grants.
• Consider your career goals and select 2L courses, externships, clinical programs, and pro bono projects to build relevant skills and to demonstrate commitment to your desired practice area and career path.
• Tell the CDO where you are working.
• Begin planning for your 2L summer.
  • If you’re interested in Patent Law, register for the Loyola Patent Law Interview Program.
  • Attend the CDO’s Early Interview Week (EIW) presentation in April.
  • If you’re interested in working at a law firm, attend law firm receptions.
  • Research career fairs.

June and July

• Engage with your summer employer, work hard, and build strong relationships.
• Continue to develop important relationships by attending law firm receptions, scheduling informal interviews, and meeting with other contacts.
• Update your resume to include summer employment and activities, including pro bono work. Email your primary counselor to review your resume.
• If you’re interested in private practice, participate in EIW and formulate a non-EIW job search including LEO postings and diversity applications. 
• If you’re interested in working for a government agency, review government deadlines and plan to attend the CDO’s Government Hiring presentation in August.