Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Now what? Graduating 3Ls Told Start of Job Deferred for Year

Mom, do you still have that pull out couch? The American Bar Journal reports that out of 500 graduating 3Ls at the New York University School of Law, about 140 of them have had their starting dates deferred at firms as long as one year. Others won't start working until January of 2010. (I went to law school because I suck at math, but that's about 1/3 of the class). As a result, many have sought employment with non-profits. The news sent NYU scrambling to produce a last minute career fair. According to the NYU press release 50 employers, including nonprofits and city and federal agencies, are taking part in the April 20th job fair. So how does NYU spin it? According to a university press release "Always an innovator, NYU Law is the first law school in the country to host a career fair specifically designed for third-year students who have been or expect to be deferred by their law firms to meet recruiters at public interest organizations. The fair is also open to alumni whose firms have placed them on furloughs." Kind of a weird thing to boast about. First in the nation? Innovator? A third of your graduating students were just told they are out of work for a year. It's gonna take more than a gymnasium filled with free donuts and 50 card tables manned by some non profit groups. NYU is one of the top law schools in the nation and does not take just any applicant. (At least that's what my rejection letter said). NYU might want to consider offering some practical skills workshops so that their grads can hit the ground running. Maybe ask some NYU alumni from Big Law to teach a seminar or two. This affects more people than you know. What about collateral damage? Nearby New York Law School students count on the fact that employers often mistake their school for neighboring top tier New York University School of Law. As such, they simply cannot allow NYU's reputation to be besmirched. Oh, don't get your rolodex in a tizzy. You mean to tell me no one ever mistakes New York Law for the New York University School of Law. So how is New York Law handling the crisis? According to their career services office webpage "Computers and a typewriter are available in our Resource Center for students to use in their job search efforts. A telephone is also available for limited use to our students for local job search-related calls based on availability." Typewriter? What, no telegraph machine or wireless photoradiogram? (you can google it) Both schools should take a tip from Pace Law School in nearby Westchester County. They have an exemplary career services office. In response to the economy, the school offers a seminar in ways to conduct a successful job search in the current economy. Topics included maintaining a positive attitude, how to package yourself for a potential employer, creating a resume and cover letter in a volatile market, and interviewing and networking. With top tier candidates running into trouble, I wonder how graduates from Bob's School of Beauty, Air Conditioner Repair and Lawyering are fairing?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I went to New York Law School. It's true. People always confuse it with NYU. Just a hop skip and a jump from Worth Street. It's great. Takes too long to explain the difference.