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Trading in the Expense Account: Transitioning from Big Law to Public Interest: Building Your Community
By Valarie Hogan • October 05, 2013 •Careers
Have you ever seen the show Community? It’s hilarious, and, for bonus points, the lead character is a lawyer (well, used to be one). If you haven’t seen the show, here’s a two-sentence summary of the relevant points: Jeff Winger, esquire extraordinaire, is forced to university when it is discovered that he lied about completing his degree. Once he gets there, he forms a ragtag study group and learns the importance of working with others. Hilarity ensues. The show provides some key lessons for anyone who is thinking about leaving the cushy world of Big Law for other pastures. Starting…
What Passion Forward Means to Us: An Inside Look into What Makes Ms. JD Passionate
By Courtney Gabbara • August 06, 2013 •Careers
It is an incredible feeling for the board members of Ms. JD to be able to say that we are in full swing of preparing for our Sixth Annual Conference on Women and the Law, Passion Forward! Although it may not seem significant at first, this conference represents a huge marker in Ms. JD’s short, but sweet, life as a non-profit. Ms. JD started out as the brainchild of several extremely intelligent and proactive female law students from law schools around the country, and is now a nationally recognized non-profit with eleven board members and an incredibly supportive and encouraging…
Trading in the Expense Account: Transitioning from Big Law to Public Interest: Oh, You Fancy, Huh?
By Valarie Hogan • August 02, 2013 •Careers
Pro bono and government attorneys have a reputation for being, how would you say, aesthetically challenged. Do you remember that terrible show that Mark-Paul Gosselaar did “Raising the Bar,” where he played a public defender? Basically, no one cared about the show and just complained about his hair for the entire first season to the extent that he cut it all off for the second (and final) season. Beyond the fact that it made him look ridiculous, it was an affront to public defenders everywhere – why do you have to look terrible to prove that you’re committed to the…
Forum Finds: Careers and Professionalism
By Kate Hartman • July 26, 2013 •Careers
Editor's Note: Ms. JD's forums have been an important source of advice and inspiration for many women in the legal profession. The "Forum Finds" series is dedicated to bringing these pearls of wisdom to light. As always, you can connect with us onFacebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn with your questions! On April 25th, 2008, jessie asked: Nicknames: Does Using One Appear Unprofessional? I was updating my resume last night and wondering if I should change the header to "Jessie." My given name is Jessica, but I can't think of any person that calls me Jessica. When I introduce myself I do so as Jessie. My friends,…
ABA Member Demographics: Seeking Your Input
By Ms. JD Editor • July 09, 2013 •Careers
Editor's Note: Ms. JD has been asked to share the information below with its members in order to help gather demographic information in regards to the ABA’s Goal III, pertaining to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Please see the information below, and note the deadline for participation in the survey is 11:59 p.m. Eastern on July 10.One of our four ABA goals -- Goal III -- pertains to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession; specifically, it aims “to eliminate bias and enhance diversity by promoting full and equal participation in the association, our profession and the justice…
Referrals: Your Fast Track Pass
By Christine O'Dea • July 02, 2013 •Careers
Everyone knows the tedious, time-consuming challenge that is the job search. Whether you’re a new college grad or an experienced professional, finding and landing a job is no walk in the park. This is one of the reasons CareerCloud.com developed a new social referral platform called Jobs With Friends. Jobs With Friends, with a simple sync to LinkedIn and Facebook, enables users to start their job hunt efficiently by leveraging all connections from both accounts. By job-hunting through your current network and having access to the companies where your connections work, you are immediately at an advantage. Employee referrals are…
Trading in the Expense Account: Transitioning from Big Law to Public Interest: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
By Valarie Hogan • July 01, 2013 •Careers
I’m from the South – Georgia to be exact – where big trucks and fast cars are not only symbols of success, but also symbols of patriotism and masculinity (although I’m sure we could all do with a little less of this). Getting your license and getting a car were essential rites of passage – akin to bar/bat mitzvahs – turning 16 was the point at which you were an adult. I had a late birthday, so I didn’t turn 16 until my senior year. Luckily, I had an older sister to drive me around starting in my sophomore year…
Personal Branding Corner: Have An Intentional Personal Brand
By Katy Goshtasbi • June 24, 2013 •Careers
So many of us expend tons of energy daily in an effort to build a successful business brand or be an effective employee in order to build a successful business brand. The end result is that we are putting our valuable energy toward an end result without a plan for how to get there. Even worse, we are often tired, angry and bitter- wondering why all our effort is not working and never stopping to take a breath. In personal brand management, I'm always talking about creating an intentional brand. Click HERE to read the rest._800px_white-100x100.png)
The How-Long-Will-You-Be-Here Question and How (or Whether) to Answer
By Military Spouse JD Network • June 13, 2013 •Careers
by Josie BeetsSummers bring change for military families, and MSJDN families are no different. Our private member groups have been buzzing with the typical summer PCS season drama — well, the MSJDN version. On top of moving houses, states, and even countries, on top of finding new schools and new grocery stores, our members are filling out Bar applications, wading through complex and varied reciprocity rules, completing new NCBE reports and applying for jobs in their new legal communities. With job applications come job interviews, and job interviews for lawyers can be their own special kind of painful.But interviews in any field can be…