Here we are, three months into our Fall 2020 semester! You should be very proud of yourself for working hard to get to where you are today. Good work! Keep going and before you know it, you will have your JD degree in your hand! This week, I want to focus on Networking. It is crucial for attorneys to master the art of networking. And networking starts in law school!
Attorneys are known for mastering the art of advocating, writing, negotiating, and mediating, among other arts. One essential technique an attorney must practice is the art of networking. What is networking? Networking is the art of communicating, interacting, and connecting with others to grow oneself professionally and to excel to a higher level from where one was before. I like to think of networking as a skill a person should sharpen and learn to get better at as they grow. While some people are born with this skill and are natural charmers, others have to mold themselves and work towards being a person with great networking skills. I’m no professional, but I can tell you what I have learned so far in my life about networking and how it has helped me further my career in the field of law.
Coming from a science background with a biology major in undergrad, I definitely had to sharpen my networking skills and involve myself in the field of law. The first step I took towards this transition was shadowing a lawyer in his law firm during the summer of 2018. It was such an exciting experience, very engaging, and very fun, even if I was just observing how the firm was run and what cases were being handled. How did I get this set up? Through a friend! It turned out a random guy I met, who is now a great friend of mine, in the library of my undergraduate college was, at the time, switching his career from law to dental, which happened to be the same time I was trying to switch my career from dental to law. So he gave me the contact of his uncle, who is a lawyer, and I gave him the contact of my ex-employer, who is a dentist. I was able to get in touch with his uncle and visit his firm consistently over the summer while my friend took over my dental assisting job with my ex-employer! We were both happy and there’s one word which sums up this whole happy exchange: networking! This is just one example of the power of networking.
In order to network, I realized it is important to be confident, possess people skills, be polite, respectful, and not be greedy. When you are seeking an opportunity, try to do it in a way which will benefit others, like what happened between my friend and I – quid pro quo! I’ve learned that in life, nothing will be given to you, you have to seek it out, you have to knock on doors, you have to ask. If you have a goal of wanting an internship by the end of this year, then start networking NOW. Don’t be shy. Ask around, attend conferences, participate in webinars, engage in chats, connect with others online, or get in touch with MSLAW’s career services office. Remember, the something you have to give, while in law school, is free labor! Your quid pro quo is gaining critical experience and building your network. If you try your best, be your best, and do your best, then I have no doubt you will be able to network successfully and get what you’ve wanted.
Another example of how I used my networking skills was when career fair day happened at MSLAW back in April a couple of years ago. I went into career fair day with one goal in mind: Land a job or an internship at a personal injury or medical malpractice law firm. I was very nervous, walking past the many tables with well-accomplished attorneys standing behind them. Despite how I was feeling on the inside, I made sure to keep a smile on my face and navigate my way through the many tables. I eventually found a firm which specialized in personal injury and medical malpractice. I thought, wow, this is my one chance. I introduced myself to the Attorney, asked about his firm, tried to find some common ground between us so our conversation would continue, I told him about my interest in the fields he’s specializing in, made sure to ask him questions, he handed me his card, and I said thank you and walked off onto the next table. I carried on with the day with that one firm in mind, knowing that I found my target.
That same evening, I emailed the attorney thanking him for his time and for explaining to me what his firm specializes in. He replied saying he was impressed with my interest in personal injury and malpractice law and offered me an internship position. I was thrilled and felt so blessed to have such a great opportunity. Just like that, I was able to accomplish my goal of landing an internship! I did not do anything special. What I did was be optimistic, keep a smile on my face, speak up about my interests, listen, remain polite, and thanked the attorney. These were simple actions and I know you are able to do the same, and even better! I want to end by saying that any goal you have in mind, as long as you go about accomplishing it with respect, passion, and focus, it can be attained. Do not doubt yourself, you have what it takes to attain what you want!
Do You Think Networking is Important? Where Have Your Networking Skills Led You? Comment Down Below!
No comments:
Post a Comment