Amanda Dickey, PLSS Executive Director
Dear PLSS Members & Friends:
It’s been over a month now since my last post, and I’m sure you’ve missed my rambling musings terribly. (Probably almost as much as I’ve missed spending 5 to 7 hours writing them. Ha.) Although you’re undoubtedly feeling overwhelmed as the fall semester comes to a close, we ask that you take a few minutes to check out the following opportunities, especially our Public Law and Policy Meet & Greet on Nov. 7th at 5:00 p.m. at Mix Downtown (15th and L). Advance RSVP for this event is mandatory. (Okay, fine. Failure to RSVP just means you’ll pay a $10 cover at the door. Or you could just RSVP right now for FREE by emailing mcgeorgeplss@gmail.com with “Meet & Greet” in the subject line, and your name and year in the body of the email.)
Look, I’ve said it a million times, but I’ll say it a million more- networking is THE way to land a job in this (dismal) economy. Thus, your favorite student org, PLSS, is doing all we can to ensure that you, our beloved members, have the opportunity to meet and impress local attorneys in the public law and policy sector. To this end, we’ve enlisted an army of awesome student clubs to co-host and solicit for our Nov. 7th event, including: PAD, Health Law Association, Military Law Society, BLSA, LAMBDA Law Student Association, WLS, ELS, MESAA, McGeorge Business Law Society, Women’s Caucus, and the Family Law Society. As a result, I expect that our 2nd Annual Meet & Greet will be even bigger and better than ever!
In addition, we’ve made an effort this year to ensure that the agencies/firms that are represented at the Meet & Greet are as diverse as the student org.s co-hosting. A few of the firms that have RSVP’d so far: Sac District Attorney, Federal Defender’s Office, the Delta Stewardship Council, Yolo County Counsel, the Attorney General’s Office, the Defenders of Wildlife, Porter Scott (civil rights and public entities division), Dependency Associates of Sacramento, Army Corps of Engineers, Legal Services of Northern California, and the Legislative Office of Planning & Research. (A complete list of the attorneys attending the Meet & Greet will be available on our blog starting Nov. 4th.)
Okay, bring on the excuses as to why you can’t attend…
1. The “I’m-so-swamped-with-school-
Too busy to attend, you say? I guarantee that one additional hour in library will NOT make the difference between an A and B in Crim Pro or Property. (And it definitely won’t make or break your grade in GLS.) However, one hour at our Meet & Greet absolutely CAN make the difference as to whether or not you’re granted an interview for that summer internship at (fill in the blank) that you’ve been lusting after. It’s simple- make a connection at the Meet & Greet, indicate your interest in future opportunities at XYZ Agency/Firm, stay in touch by exchanging a few short emails, and wa-lah! Suddenly your resume is at the top of the stack with a personal recommendation from an attorney at the firm.
2. The “Networking-is-awkward-and-I-
Don’t know how to network? We’ve got your back. To grease the wheels and the encourage the good natured exchange of ideas, we’ll be hosting an open bar for the first hour. Or until we reach our pre-determined spending limit on booze, whichever comes first. (Knowing how attorneys drink, I’m gonna guess the latter.) If, after having a couple drinks, you’re still not sure how to approach a particular attorney, track down a PLSS Board Member or Host and ask us to introduce you. (We’ll be the ones wearing the conspicuously bright badges.) Finally, if you want some professional advice as to how to maximize your networking potential at the Meet & Greet, check out our post re: “Networking Tips” at http://blogs.mcgeorge.edu/
3. The “I’m-a-starving-law-student-
Nice try. But when you RSVP in advance, this awesome event is absolutely, completely, and totally FREE. Aaaaand if you show up on time (5:00pm), your first drink is on us. We’re even planning on feeding you some delicious appetizers, (generously provided by our host, Mix Downtown). Free food, free booze, and the chance to meet potential future employers. What more could a law student ask for?
Out of excuses yet? Good. We’ll see you Nov. 7th. J
One last thing- In an effort to remedy my epically poor response rate to member queries, I’ve instituted weekly office hours on Wednesdays between 1:30 and 6:00 pm (Muddox Hall, Room 212). Come in and ask me questions re: the Summer Grant, getting volunteer hours, finding a summer placement, teaching Street Law, joining a PLSS Committee, how to connect with attorneys in your field of interest, surviving as a 1L,becoming a reading partner, interning at a clinic, etc. Basically, if you have a question, problem, or need that is in any way related to law, (or not for that matter), I can probably find a solution for you.
Drop-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Or you can easily check my availability and schedule an appointment using Google calendar at https://www.google.com/
Alright, stop procrastinating and get back to the grind. But as you do, keep this thought in mind:
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. No, it’s not.” ~ Dr. Seuss
Inspiration by way of rhyme. Who woulda thought an author of children’s books would be so very wise?
Cheers!
-Amanda Dickey
PLSS Executive Director
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