By Kira Zuber
Going to college was never a question for me.
You went to middle school. You went to high school. And then you went to college. It’s not that I didn’t have a choice, or that my parents didn’t give me a choice. I just never thought about that choice.
Does everyone go to college today? No. Do a lot more people go to college
today than they did 30 years ago? That’s for sure. The New York Times reported
that more than 30 percent of American adults hold bachelor’s degrees in 2012. This
stands in stark contrast to the mere 10.7 percent of college educated Americans in
1970.
Why should you care? Are you are currently searching for employment? Having your bachelor’s
degree in the professional world no longer makes you special. You are expendable.
If you don’t want the job being offered for that salary, another college grad will
come searching and be happy to take it.
Further, there is the competition of those who have been fired from their jobs due to downsizing. Many people from this group have their bachelor’s and work experience, which makes your bachelor’s worth even less. Many people with their bachelor’s degree are now being forced into jobs which require only a high school education. The Chronicle of a Higher Education published an article on this subject entitled, “Millions of Graduates Hold Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree, Report Says”.
This overflow of people with college degrees impacts the professional world. In an effort to distinguish ourselves, there is a new pressure to go out and get another degree.
In my case it was a J.D.
A warning to the reader: BEWARE. If you think you need to go out and get that “additional”
degree to spruce up your resume . . . so does everyone else. Therefore even more
people are getting degrees, and once again you are no longer special. The Huffington
Post reported last summer that only 55 percent of the class of 2011 had full time
jobs that required a law degree and lasted more than a year.
This is not to say not to go out and get that second professional degree. If you can, you should. After some despair of my own, and thinking I would never find a job, I found out a J.D. can be extremely useful for a variety of jobs. It shows an employer you have analytical skills, fundamental knowledge of the law, people skills (as long as patent law wasn't your specialty), and the dedication to go through three years of hell and to then take the bar. BUT a J.D. in and of itself is not the complete answer. I would advise you to still try to further distinguish yourself.
Sorry if this was all a bit depressing. It wasn’t meant to be, truly. I guess it was meant to say WAKE UP!!! It’s a rough market out there, and we are all desperately trying to get jobs. Do not count on the fact that you have a degree of any type to get you ahead in the job hunt. It is of utmost importance that you get out there and (sorry for the extremely trite and clichéd expression) “be all that you can be.” Learn more languages than everybody else. Be the person who bothered to send the thank-you note. Remember peoples’ names. Dress well. Be courteous.
Take advantage of every opportunity. The best piece of advice I have received so far on this subject was, “try your hardest.” It sounds simple, but it means a lot. If you want something, go after it. Do research. Look into how can you make yourself the best candidate for that job and proceed accordingly. And perhaps if trying your hardest doesn’t get you the exact job you wanted, it will provide you with an opportunity. Opportunity isn’t going to find you, you have to go out and find it.
Showing posts with label LOLschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LOLschool. Show all posts
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Pre Bar Pro Bono, a New Requirement?
By Dean Fleyzor
Getting "hands on" experience in law firms and court rooms while a law student is a crucial for anyone training to be a future lawyer. The opportunities offered to students through clinic programs vary greatly from state to state, and even school to school, but they all benefit a prospective lawyer’s career. When I was researching which school to attend, the University of Baltimore’s clinics and history of success for their clients attracted me to enroll.
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| New York (from Wikimedia Commons) |
Yet in one state, instead of just being an opportunity, clinic programs are becoming a requirement for law schools to provide. New York recently passed a new rule requiring 50 hours of pro bono service before obtaining a license to practice law in the state. These hours may be completed through clinic work, making the availability of the opportunity critical for prospective law students. This new rule will take effect in 2015. Although these required pro bono hours do not need to be through a clinic program, it makes a big difference if a law school can help students complete their hours. One of the more prestigious schools in the state, Brooklyn Law, boasts over 30 clinics for students. Other schools, such as New York Law School, have no history of offering such programs. However, New York Law School will be introducing 13 clinics in the upcoming 2013-2014 school year to reflect the chances in New York’s policies.
Many see this new policy as a way to offer free legal services to those in need, but it only appears to mandate practical experience before admitted to practice law. Since these pro bono advocates are not yet lawyers, the actual benefit of students providing free legal advice as opposed to older, experienced lawyers may not be as great as publicized.
Although New York is the first state to implement this kind of policy, California and New Jersey are considering following suit. According to Karen Sloan, writer for Law.com, “Any move by California could well have a ripple effect throughout the country.” The interesting difference in California’s proposed requirement answers the question of whether or not students should be offering free legal services. California proposes that the required hours can be fulfilled in law school or during the first year of practice.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Beyond Numbers
By Kira Zuber
Defining Points in Trying to Get Into Law School:
I went to _______ college – that college is ranked _______ in ____________.
My class rank was ____________.
My GPA was ___________.
I did _______ number of extra curricular activities.
My LSAT score was _________.
In Applying for Jobs After Law School:
I went to ________ law school – that law school is rated ________ in the U.S. News rankings.
I am ranked _________in the class of ________.
My GPA is __________.
I wrote onto law review, which had _____ number of applicants and only
accepted ________.
I was accepted onto ________ moot court team, which had _____ number of applicants and only accepted ________.
Sometimes I feel like the world will think it knows me by merely filling in the blanks above. I am afraid that it will think it knows my level of intelligence, drive and dedication. During times like this the sun seems to rise and set according to these numbers. I worry about being a mid-grade student at a lower-tier law school. If I get a bad grade, I see a dark future before me. In this state of mind I see my GPA plummet, which in turn will affect my class ranking, which in turn will ultimately affect my desirability in the hiring market. Said grade has now affected my entire future.
It is this attitude which fosters competitiveness in law school. Ivy League law schools are notorious for the race to be in the top 10 percent. If you are not in that top percentile you are considered inferior, not “smart”, not worthy. Even schools like University of Baltimore School of Law, a law school that is not known for competitiveness, sometimes succumb to measuring worth by numbers. They send out e-mails to students about prospective job opportunities. Those opportunities?
You guessed it. Are only geared toward the top 10 (okay maybe 25) percent.
This is bullshit. I write this to remind myself, and remind you (whoever you
are), that we are more than these numbers. I will not deny that these numbers do affect us, yet I will vehemently argue with anyone who says that they are “who” we are. I am also my passion, my work ethic, my people skills, my network, my hometown, my creativity. We are all our own compilation of unique skills and talents. Intelligence goes beyond those skills demonstrated in the classroom.
So as finals approach, please remember this. I am not saying don’t try. But I
am saying that if those grades come in and they are not what you had hoped for - do not despair. Remember that you are worth more than these numbers.
Defining Points in Trying to Get Into Law School:
I went to _______ college – that college is ranked _______ in ____________.
My class rank was ____________.
My GPA was ___________.
I did _______ number of extra curricular activities.
My LSAT score was _________.
In Applying for Jobs After Law School:
I went to ________ law school – that law school is rated ________ in the U.S. News rankings.
I am ranked _________in the class of ________.
My GPA is __________.
I wrote onto law review, which had _____ number of applicants and only
accepted ________.
I was accepted onto ________ moot court team, which had _____ number of applicants and only accepted ________.
Sometimes I feel like the world will think it knows me by merely filling in the blanks above. I am afraid that it will think it knows my level of intelligence, drive and dedication. During times like this the sun seems to rise and set according to these numbers. I worry about being a mid-grade student at a lower-tier law school. If I get a bad grade, I see a dark future before me. In this state of mind I see my GPA plummet, which in turn will affect my class ranking, which in turn will ultimately affect my desirability in the hiring market. Said grade has now affected my entire future.
It is this attitude which fosters competitiveness in law school. Ivy League law schools are notorious for the race to be in the top 10 percent. If you are not in that top percentile you are considered inferior, not “smart”, not worthy. Even schools like University of Baltimore School of Law, a law school that is not known for competitiveness, sometimes succumb to measuring worth by numbers. They send out e-mails to students about prospective job opportunities. Those opportunities?
You guessed it. Are only geared toward the top 10 (okay maybe 25) percent.
This is bullshit. I write this to remind myself, and remind you (whoever you
are), that we are more than these numbers. I will not deny that these numbers do affect us, yet I will vehemently argue with anyone who says that they are “who” we are. I am also my passion, my work ethic, my people skills, my network, my hometown, my creativity. We are all our own compilation of unique skills and talents. Intelligence goes beyond those skills demonstrated in the classroom.
So as finals approach, please remember this. I am not saying don’t try. But I
am saying that if those grades come in and they are not what you had hoped for - do not despair. Remember that you are worth more than these numbers.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
The Great Law School Time-Suck
By Michael Stone
It was December 2009. Being the
proto-typical political science major, I devoured all the news I could get my hands
on—university news, local news, state news, and national news. I engaged in
op-ed warfare with a conservative person on the university newspaper staff. I
would tell others: “You have a DUTY to keep up with current events!”
I lived and breathed this
mantra. I balanced school, work, leisure, and news. I felt like Mr. Responsible
Citizen, and I was more than a little smug.
It’s now April 2013. That
guy from December 2009—yeah, that guy is a jerk. Yesterday I managed to listen
to a podcast on my way to law school from my unpaid internship. I wasn’t really
listening because I was mentally running a presentation on Fourth Amendment
searches through my head. I disagreed with a comment on the class blog today—my
uncle’s comment in fact. I’m too tired to fight with him. I keep telling
myself, “You have a DUTY to do well in this internship and school in the hopes
that you can secure some sort of job after law school.”
I drag my carcass around
with this mantra. I devote most of my time to classes, preparation for classes,
writing for classes, and the internship. I had to put a reminder on my Google
calendar the other day to remind me to eat lunch. I prioritize an hour or two
to spend with my fiancée.
I hear that news occurs—though I rarely see it. My name is Mr. Generic Law Student, and I am more than a little exhausted.
I hear that news occurs—though I rarely see it. My name is Mr. Generic Law Student, and I am more than a little exhausted.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Dream Criminal Law Exam: Hero or Menace – How Link Would Fare Under the Law?
By Michael Stone
According to the game’s
official history, Agahnim “put the soldiers of the kingdom under his spell”
after killing the King. This forces Link to fight every knight in the kingdom he encounters. The game actually
includes wanted signs for Link’s arrest, and the knights actively attack Link
on sight. I found a map
and counted approximately 50 knights that Link would encounter in just one pass
of Hyrule.
Here is the final exam question: The
well-intentioned Young Man races to the state prison in the pouring rain. A beautiful Senator
sends a secret letter to Young Man, and asks for his help. She knows that the corrupt
and well-connected Lieutenant Governor poisoned the Governor. And few know that Lieutenant
Governor is actually Crime Boss’ lackey. Lieutenant Governor trumped up some
criminal charges and had Senator arrested to silence her. He even bribed some
judges to deny Senator bail and delay trial. However, Young Man sneaks into the
prison, fights through the guards, and breaks Senator out. The two leave behind
a trail of dead prison guards, including the warden. Young Man hides Senator in
a nearby church—the preacher is a member of an underground organization that
knows the truth about Lieutenant Governor. Discuss all of Young Man’s criminal
liability.
* * *
I was a gamer before
law school swallowed my free time. The exam question is basically the introduction to my
favorite game, “The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.” The plot of the game
involves Link (Young Man) traversing the land of Hyrule to search for objects
to defeat Agahnim (Lieutenant Governor) and Ganon (Crime Boss), save Princess Zelda
(Senator), and ultimately restore Hyrule by making a wish on the Triforce.
I bring it up because last spring break I had the chance to have a free thought: What would legally happen to Link as a defendant? Let’s assume that there is no magic involved, and let’s assume that all events occur in Maryland. How does our hero fare in court?
I bring it up because last spring break I had the chance to have a free thought: What would legally happen to Link as a defendant? Let’s assume that there is no magic involved, and let’s assume that all events occur in Maryland. How does our hero fare in court?
 |
| Defendant aka Link |
Since we are
ignoring magic, let’s say the soldiers are just following orders. Assuming
knights are equivalent to police, a fully-armed Link is resisting arrest in
each violent encounter. Each resisting arrest charge and conviction comes with
a maximum three year jail term and/or $5,000 fine. That is 150 years of
incarceration and $250,000—a lot for a guy that only carries $40 (according to
this exchange
rate).
But that is the least of his problems. Link must rob
the knights for money, and he’s armed. So Link can be charged with and convicted of
50 counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon. This is a felony, and it carries
a maximum of a twenty year sentence for each encounter. That is potentially
1,000 years in prison. By now he should be questioning whether Zelda was worth
it.
It gets worse.
Link kills every knight he encounters in Hyrule or dies trying. That is a lot of acts of homicide. Link could argue they were all self-defense because they are trying to kill him. But that might be tough considering Link is
mute and can’t say he was in fear for his life. Also, he did rob the corpses. Worst-case scenario, the state charges Link with
at least 50 counts of first-degree murder (homicide with the intent
to kill). In Maryland, each count of first-degree murder has a mandatory
minimum of life in prison. Ipso facto, Link could be facing 50 consecutive life
sentences. Now facing the slammer, Link could really use some magic.
Of course this doesn’t
include Link’s repeated burglaries of people’s homes, animal cruelty (Link
attacks chickens for fun), or malicious destruction of property (he destroys
people’s hedges and fences). Nor does it include his possession of destructive
devices (bombs and other explosive devices), or harboring the escaped fugitive
Zelda (let's not even begin to talk about the possible federal conspiracy charges since that crime probably involved by crossing state lines).
The gamer in me
still believes Link is a hero. But the law student in me hopes he gets a
good attorney.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
There's a University of Baltimore?
By Rachael Dirzuweit
Why, yes, there IS a University of Baltimore. It has nothing to do with the University of Maryland, either. As a graduate of the Jurisprudence program at the University of Baltimore, UB for short, I am asked about this all the time--and I'm sure quite a few people who didn't ask just assumed. There is in fact a University of Baltimore, right next to the University of Baltimore School of Law (yes, there's a law school, too). My undergraduate education prepared me more for law school than I could have imagined.
Aside from the glowing recommendations about UB that I got from various professors and practicing lawyers when I was at Harford Community College pursuing an Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies, I felt partially compelled to select UB from my undergraduate education based on one thing: early entry.
You see, you when you take the Jurisprudence or History track to get a Bachelor's degree at the UB, UB Law will let you in to the law school if you have a high enough GPA and LSAT score BEFORE you finish your Bachelor's degree education. The last year of your Bachelor's education is waived, and you enter the School of Law to graduate with what is essentially a complimentary (but well-deserved) Bachelor's at the successful completion of the first year of law school. You get an entire year shaved off your cumulative total years of education, a year's worth of undergraduate tuition saved, and the opportunity to graduate law school a year sooner! Aside from that, if you don't qualify for the early entry option, the law school guarantees a seat in the entering law school class for you if you graduate from UB, provided you meet the minimum requirements.
Lorraine Bright, a practicing attorney and my pre-law teacher in community college, best described UB's Jurisprudence program to me. "It's like a watered-down version of law school." That's exactly what it was. The classes were taught using the Socratic method, which is used in law school. This saved me the awkward period of adjusting to law classes along with the other pressures of the first year of law school. The reading requirements, the exams, the substance of the classes--all watered-down law school. All I was missing was the law school's mandatory curve.
When I entered law school, I had a basic knowledge of criminal law, constitutional law, contracts and courtroom procedure--all things many of my classmates struggled to understand. Knowledge of the law is only workable when it's built like a house, which requires a strong foundation. Otherwise, everything you put on top of it crumbles. In law school, each class builds on basic principles from previous classes; if you try to stack knowledge on top of a weak base, you'll never fully grasp what is going on and your legal education will crumble.
The University of Baltimore's Jurisprudence study program gave me the foundation I needed to become successful in law school. And because my foundation was already strong when I came to law school, I didn't have to spend valuable hours going back and filling cracks in with mortar.
 |
| Photo by Daniel Lobo |
Why, yes, there IS a University of Baltimore. It has nothing to do with the University of Maryland, either. As a graduate of the Jurisprudence program at the University of Baltimore, UB for short, I am asked about this all the time--and I'm sure quite a few people who didn't ask just assumed. There is in fact a University of Baltimore, right next to the University of Baltimore School of Law (yes, there's a law school, too). My undergraduate education prepared me more for law school than I could have imagined.
Aside from the glowing recommendations about UB that I got from various professors and practicing lawyers when I was at Harford Community College pursuing an Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies, I felt partially compelled to select UB from my undergraduate education based on one thing: early entry.
You see, you when you take the Jurisprudence or History track to get a Bachelor's degree at the UB, UB Law will let you in to the law school if you have a high enough GPA and LSAT score BEFORE you finish your Bachelor's degree education. The last year of your Bachelor's education is waived, and you enter the School of Law to graduate with what is essentially a complimentary (but well-deserved) Bachelor's at the successful completion of the first year of law school. You get an entire year shaved off your cumulative total years of education, a year's worth of undergraduate tuition saved, and the opportunity to graduate law school a year sooner! Aside from that, if you don't qualify for the early entry option, the law school guarantees a seat in the entering law school class for you if you graduate from UB, provided you meet the minimum requirements.
Lorraine Bright, a practicing attorney and my pre-law teacher in community college, best described UB's Jurisprudence program to me. "It's like a watered-down version of law school." That's exactly what it was. The classes were taught using the Socratic method, which is used in law school. This saved me the awkward period of adjusting to law classes along with the other pressures of the first year of law school. The reading requirements, the exams, the substance of the classes--all watered-down law school. All I was missing was the law school's mandatory curve.
When I entered law school, I had a basic knowledge of criminal law, constitutional law, contracts and courtroom procedure--all things many of my classmates struggled to understand. Knowledge of the law is only workable when it's built like a house, which requires a strong foundation. Otherwise, everything you put on top of it crumbles. In law school, each class builds on basic principles from previous classes; if you try to stack knowledge on top of a weak base, you'll never fully grasp what is going on and your legal education will crumble.
The University of Baltimore's Jurisprudence study program gave me the foundation I needed to become successful in law school. And because my foundation was already strong when I came to law school, I didn't have to spend valuable hours going back and filling cracks in with mortar.
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