Public Service hiring timelines are early….. just like private employers! Non-profit and government employers hire early and are extremely competitive, so start now! Research employers, ensure you don’t miss any application deadlines, and create a strategy starting now for your dream job. Fewer non-profits participate in formal on-campus and off-campus recruiting program, so you’ll need to take a proactive approach and apply directly. Great resources for your non-profit employer research include PSJD, Public Interest Law Initiative (Illinois), Idealist, Work for Good, Equal Justice Works, the Private-Public Interest Firm Guide, and individual organizations’ websites.
If government work is your focus, try USAJobs, Department of Justice, National Legal Aid & Defender Association, Arizona Handbook (password: gooey butter), and your target municipalities’ and states’ websites.
Some early application deadlines to keep in mind are:
Environmental Protection Agency – Summer Honors Program
Department of Justice – Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP)
Department of Justice – Honors Program (Post-Grad)
Federal Trade Commission – Summer Legal Internship Program
Equal Justice Works October Career Fair
Skadden Fellowships (Post-Grad)
Equal Justice Works Fellowships (Post-Grad)
PILI Internships: October 15th
Careers in public interest do not happen by accident. For students interested in pursuing a career in public interest, it is important to gain experience in the field and network with other public interest attorneys from the beginning of one’s law school career. It is also extremely important to have a partnership with the Career Center, which can help you develop everything from personal connections to summer internship opportunities to post-graduate fellowship applications. We look forward to working with you as you pursue your career goals.