What are you up to these days?
Currently, I am an associate with Lane Powell, specializing in corporate and transactional matters. See my firm bio here.
How did you get your job?
In a way, I had a relatively straightforward path to get to where I am now. I was a MBA Fellow and I was a summer associate at Lane Powell my first summer. Then I reapplied and was a summer associate for a second time after my second year. I still participated in on-campus interviews though, and luckily I was offered an associate position upon graduation.
What advice would you give to a graduating student who's looking for a job?
Even though my path to my current job is relatively straight-forward, I still have some useful advice to share to 3Ls:
- Don’t think of your interview as an outcome, or an end to a goal (i.e. getting a job). It is not a zero sum game, even if you don’t ultimately get the position. Think of it as a way of connecting with the person in front of you. Make that connection regardless of the outcome. I was glad I participated in on-campus interviews, just as a chance to practice, meet important people, and foster relationships in the legal community in Portland. I know it is exhausting to put yourself through interviews and to present yourself in a manner that is presentable, but treat it as a way to make a great connection.
- Don’t sell yourself short. Don’t worry if you don’t have the top grades, or you weren’t on law review, or you weren’t on moot court. Find something you know you’re good at and can offer. If you feel that your grades are not as good as they could have been and that’s something the employer would want, address it. Definitely address the elephant in the room. Pivot the conversation to say, “I may not have the highest grades, but I can offer X.” If an employer has invited you for an interview, they obviously saw something they liked about you. Find out what it is and go with it.
- Jobs are out there. Firms need people. They need you. So muster up the energy and put yourself out there!