The CSD Networking

As you know, each of the Counselors in the CSD have an area of buisness development which takes them across the country, meeting employers and forming partnerships for future career prospects for Florida Coastal students and alumni. This week, two of the CSD Counselors are participating in a Conference targeted towards meeting with recruiters from the federal government. We look forward to sharing our impressions and developing stronger relationships between federal government recruiters and Florida Coastal students and alumni.

Have a great 3 day weekend and we will see you next week!

Are You On The Judicial List Serve?

If you are interested in learning more about judicial clerkships, make sure to sign up for the Career Services Department Judicial Clerkship Listserv. Signing up is easy, just send an email to Lydia Russo and she will register for you.

Note: If you are already receiving emails from the Listserv, there is no need to email me again.

Congratulations!

Equal Justice Works recently announced the 2010 Summer Corps members. With a record of 1,536 applications this year, the selection process was extremely competitive!

Summer Corps members are engaged with a broad range of issues, including civil rights, community economic development, death penalty, disability rights, housing, domestic violence, education, public benefits and workers' rights.

Congratulations to the below selected Florida Coastal selected students!

Nicole Devito, Three Rivers Legal Services
Amanda Greer, Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc
Darren Jones, Three Rivers Legal Services
Joycelyn Stinson, Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc.

Getting Your Student Loans Forgiven!

***UPCOMING WEBINAR***

GETTING YOUR STUDENT LOANS FORGIVEN: How government and nonprofit employees can earn Public Service Loan Forgiveness

• Wednesday, May 26, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
(10:30 a.m. CDT, 8:30 a.m. PDT)

Space is limited, so participants are required to register
at http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/

Use OSCAR For Your Judicial Clerkship Applications

OSCAR is now open to all rising 3L students. To register, click on the below link. Once registered,you may research federal judicial clerkship opportunities, and build online applications for federal judges who choose to utilize OSCAR.

https://oscar.uscourts.gov/

Although OSCAR will not release your online applications to judges until September 7th, 2010, you should become familiar with OSCAR as soon as possible. The application process is quite time-consuming and you do not want to wait until the last minute!

Good Luck!

Congratulations Michael Figgins!

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is a wonderful organization which works with many FCSL student volunteers and employs many of our graduates. We were thrilled to hear about the recent accolades of JALA under the leadership of Executive Director, Michael Figgins. Click here for more information about JALA and the changes over the past 15 years. For information about volunteering at JALA, contact Career Services.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RESOURCE!!!

If you are interested in the federal governement, make sure to check out this resource from PSLawNet. This website provides information on all of the following topics in an easy-to-read manner.

•Why Work for the United States Government?
◦Reasons to consider federal employment
•Types of Practice for Lawyers in the Federal Government
◦Branches of Government
◦Practice Areas
■Litigation
■Regulatory
■Advisory
■Public Policy
•Where are the Federal Government Jobs?
◦Jobs for Students, Recent Graduates, and Experienced Attorneys
■Student Internships
■Recent Law Graduates/Entry-Level Attorneys
■Experienced Attorney Jobs
•Practicing Law in the Military
•Foreign Government Service Opportunities
•Resources to Help You Find a Position with the Federal Government
•Titles and Terminology for Federal Hiring
◦Civil Service Positions
◦Political vs. Career Hires
•Compensation and LRAP
◦Government Salaries
◦Federal Loan Repayment Assistant Program (LRAP)
◦College Cost Reduction & Access Act of 2007 (CCRAA)
•Security Clearances and Citizenship Requirements
◦Security Clearances
◦Citizenship Requirements
•How Do I Make my Application a Success?
◦Federal Resumes and KSAs

Click HERE to access this valuable federal government information.

Do You Speak Creole?

If you speak Creole and have an interest in representing immigrants before USCIS and Immigration Court for asylum, HRIFA, Waiver, TPS, and deportation defense cases, click HERE for a great position available now. The application deadline is July 31, 2010.

Exciting News About Federal Hiring!

According to a recent Washington Post article, "Obama wants federal agencies to hit the gas on hiring" The article, by Joe Davidson and Ed O'Keefe, indicates that "President Obama plans to instruct federal agencies to radically overhaul the process now used to hire government workers. The change is expected to cut in half the time it takes to fill vacancies and allow the government to better compete with the private sector for top talent. It's been a long time coming. The Government Accountability Office has been calling for changes since 2001, and a host of outside voices have criticized the byzantine nature of federal hiring, with its stacks of paperwork and" ... to continue reading, click HERE.

This is GREAT news for anyone interested in federal employment!

BRAND NEW RESOURCE ANNOUNCED!!!!

There is now an AMAZING state-by-state list of useful ways to begin research on internships and jobs in state and local governments. By clicking HERE, you can find links to information about many different employers across the United States in Attorney Generals’ offices, Public Defender offices, and agencies focused on such issues as the environment, health and tax.

Happy Searching!!!

The Career Services Department congratulates the Class of 2010!

6 Steps to Reducing Your Student Loan Costs

Unless you are Donald Trump, everyone is worried about finances, debt, and the ability to pay back those loans. In a recent article by Kim Clark, "6 Steps To Reducing Your Student Loan Costs," students are advised about what they can be doing NOW in order to lessen the financial load.

If you can't get enough grants or scholarships, and have done all you can to reduce your costs, it may be a wise move to borrow—in moderation and carefully—for your graduate education. Studies show that graduate degrees often help boost career and earnings options. Still, because the economy is unpredictable, it's prudent to try to limit your debt. Here are some tips to reduce your graduate school debts.

1. Borrow as little as possible. Keep living expenses as low as possible and try not to borrow to fund them. Remember the old saying: If you live like a lawyer when you're a law student, you'll have to live like a law student when you're a lawyer.

2. Check out your future salary, and the earnings records of the graduates of your school, to see how much you can reasonably afford to put toward debt payments ... to continue reading the remainng four tips, click HERE.

New Public Interest Jobs For May

Login to Symplicity today to learn more about all of the below listed positions!

Legal Positions In Washington, D.C. Area

Director of Programs, D.C. Bar Foundation
Director of Communications and Outreach, The Constitution Project
Managing Attorney, Legal Counsel for the Elderly
Deputy Policy Director, Immigration Equality
Family Law Staff Attorney, The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia

Non-Legal Positions in Washington, D.C. Area

Communications Director, The Partnership for Working Families
National Policy Director, The Partnership for Working Families
Part-Time Controller, The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia

Nationwide Positiosn

Legal Assistant, Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, Florence, Arizona
Community Organizer, Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights, New York, New York

Pro Bono... Why It Matters

Pro Bono work should be part of any practicing attorney's plan. Take a moment from studying and read the opinions of Dawn Levine, an attorney practicing in Marietta, GA. In this article, Ms. Levine discusses the top 8 reasons she completes pro bono work. You may find some inspiration in her words.

"Many of us went to law school imagining that we would be the next Atticus Finch. And while "thanks" with a paycheck feels good, the thanks you get from your clients when you took their case for nothing feels good on a completely different, but very real level. My pro bono clients have sent me cards, letters of thanks, flowers and cookies. They have hugged me with tears in their eyes and proudly introduced me as "their attorney" to their family... to keep reading, click HERE."

Foreign Service Work

For an interesting read, take a break from studying and learn about one student's attempts at applying for a foreign service job. If you are interested in pursuing federal work in an international arena, it's important to learn as much as you can about the lengthy and competitive process. Click HERE for more information.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the below individuals recently recognized by the Coastal Association for Public Interest Law. These students were rewarded for having demonstrated a strong commitment to pro bono and public service work while in law school as well as an interest in working in the public interest field upon graduation.

Patrice Falzone
Karen Winston
Diana Hansard
Candace Lane
Leslie Healer
Nathan Wood
Deidrean Lyon

The Career Services Department congratulations you on this achievement and applauds your commitment to public service!

Where Are The Best Places To Work

If you are considering a career in the federal government, wouldn't it be nice to know where the BEST places to work are? Well, the The Best Places to Work rankings — the most comprehensive and authoritative rating of employee satisfaction and commitment in the federal government — are produced by the Partnership for Public Service and American University's Institute for the Study of Public Policy Implementation (ISPPI). Click HERE today to access the full list.

Random fact: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission tops the chart at the #1 spot!

Florida Supreme Court Opportunities

If you are a graduating 3L, check out this fabulous opportunity with the Florida Supreme Court: http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/employment/central.shtml
Applications should be completed ASAP but will be accepting them until May 14th.

If you are a rising 3L, check this one out .... http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/employment/lewis.shtml
Accepting applications now for a clerkship that will begin in August of 2011.

The Career Services Department wishes all students the best of luck on their upcoming exams!