There is no shortage of people who go to great lengths to get into law schools and larger ones in a desperate attempt to accelerate their careers in law. It is true that getting into a larger law school will obviously be more beneficial in the long run, not only because of the name that the school owns, but also because a larger school will attract the biggest names when it comes to to placement.
A very common concept of law schools is to have students apply for legal internships. The procedure is simple. You fill out an application, they interview you, and if you’re chosen, you do an internship. Now the thing about legal internships is that it’s all about getting a taste of the legal industry and what it expects of you. It doesn’t matter if it’s a corporate legal internship or anything else. The important thing is that once you are inside you do not make mistakes in the workplace. A few mistakes can ruin your chances of taking full advantage of the internship. These are the top ten mistakes legal interns make.
1. Entering the wrong firm: There are those who do their internships at any firm that has them. This can be a big problem for them as they need to spend time understanding the requirements of each company and the job profile of the intern position as these can differ from company to company.
2. Inefficiency: Once most interns get an internship, they usually don’t work hard enough. The ones who get fantastic letters of recommendation from the firm and the ones who get nothing.
3. Lack of persistence: Legal aid internships are all about patience and persistence. Some people just quit a job midway through and say it’s impossible. Such an attitude will not get you an internship or just make you lose out to others who are persistent.
4. Ego: You must keep your ego in your pocket and work well and listen to orders if you are to be successful in a business.
5. Passing up opportunities abroad: Legal internships abroad are something you should never pass up unless you have no other option. They are paid legal practices and augur better for your resume.
6. Working and neglecting education: You are nowhere without good grades. You can’t let one suffer to take care of the other. It is essential that you keep your scores high.
7. Not socializing: The law is as much about contacts as it is about skills. If you don’t socialize in the social circle of the company you work for, you stand to lose a lot.
8. Overwork: Don’t burn out. Work hard, but don’t go overboard to impress anyone. It can be counterproductive.
9. Prefer money to experience: Many of the best companies will hardly pay you high, but will offer you a better experience instead. We should prefer them to companies with higher salaries and low reputations.
10. Do not keep in touch with potholes after the practice period: It is very important that you do.