2L Career Planning Timeline

Use the following timeline to keep your career planning on-track throughout your second year of law school.

If you are interested in pursuing a public interest career, we also encourage you to review the 2L Public Interest Career Planning Timeline.

Reflecting on Summer & Search Plan

September 1 - October 31

Step 1: Fall Semester Action Plan

• Take time to consider your 1L summer and how the experience aligns with your career goals
• This is a requirement of the Upper-Level Foundations of Practice Program

2L Fall Semester Action Plan

Step 2: Build Professional Relationships

• Add the contacts you’ve developed since you started law school to your database and/or LinkedIn
• Draft follow-up emails and schedule meetings with contacts
• Continue to identify & initiate contacts
• Attend Employer-in-Residence programs
• Informational interviews are requirement of the Upper-Level Foundations of Practice Program

Step 3: Continue your Action Plan

• Consider whether a spring internship fits your goals
• Attend Resume and/or Cover Letter workshops to update your documents

Job Searching Skills

October 15 - January 31

Step 4: Prepare Application Materials & Get Ready for Interviews

• Update your resume & cover letters
• Meet with your career advisor to review materials and solidify your search plan
• Schedule a mock interview to refine your interview skills

Step 5: Spring Semester Action Plan

The Spring Semester Action Plan will help you complete the Upper-Level Foundations of Practice requirements, as well as:

• prioritize your remaining time in law school,
• assess strengths and skills gaps,
• update your careers timeline, continue your summer job or semester externship search, and
• use your professional networks strategically.

See a career counselor for assistance prioritizing the action items in the plan.

2L Spring Semester Action Plan

Step 6: Continue Building Professional Relationships

• Set goals for targeting new contacts and follow-up
• Update your LinkedIn profile
• Use LinkedIn, Martindale, Leadership Directories, and Informational Interview resources to develop leads for new contacts

Step 7: Job Postings & Fairs

• Apply for job listings in CORE, PSJD, AZ Guide
• Attend spring events:
  • Small & Medium Firm Networking Event
  • Practice Area Expo
  • Public Sector Recruitment Program

Preparation & Goals for Summer

February 1 - May 1

Step 8: Continue Building Professional Relationships

• Follow-up with contacts
• Small/Medium Firm networking event
• Identify & attend events

Step 9: Continue Summer Search

• Apply to job postings in CORE, PSJD, AZ Guide
• Submit direct writes to small/medium firms

Step 10: Prepare for Summer

• Understand professional etiquette & employer expectations
• Review our tips for how to succeed in your summer job, and watch the video series below
• Review your skills inventory & develop summer goals
• Update your resume & cover letter
• Explore Government Honors Programs and public interest fellowships