“Eighty percent of success is showing up.” -Woody Allen
“Showing up is not all of life - but it counts for a lot.” -Hillary Clinton
“To stay on the map you've got to keep showing up.” -Peter Gallagher
Passing in the hallway, I nod my head to classmates and
professors who ask me how I’m doing. The motto I’ve adopted: “Hanging in
there.” I know that many of you reading this—law students, recent graduates and
experienced attorneys alike, will understand the sentiment; there is always
work to be done, simply to keep your head above water in law school. Between
reading, re-reading and briefing for class, applying for summer internships or
associate positions, and involvement with activities like journal, moot court
or teams, there is always more to be done. It comes to
a point where the question is not if you are done for the day, but rather where
you need to end work for the day for sanity's sake.
That’s a tiring picture, I know. But I have a thought to
share with you: You need to break out of the library and engage with the
profession, too. I don’t want you to think of it as another thing on your
plate, and I promise I won’t throw the notorious “networking” word at you. But
you need to be engaged with the profession and show up, as well.
Being engaged and showing up is about two things; knowing what is going on in
our profession, and interacting with experienced professionals who have come
before us.
To know what is going on in the legal world and stay educated beyond the
classroom, read news (such as New York Law Journal and the State Bar News), and speak to your professors about developments you may think
interesting.
The organized bar, such as the New York State Bar
Association, is an incredible tool for law students. Attorneys who may have
joined NYSBA later in their professional careers are nonetheless eager to meet
with law students, so take advantage of that. Given that fewer and fewer jobs
are coming through traditional application channels, you should be prepared to
take advantage of the adage that “it’s not what you know, but who you know.”
Lawyers are talkers by their very nature; they will interact with clients or
judges and advocate, regardless of their practice area. So go talk with them!
Attend Pathway to the Profession events at school or in your region or
attend panels hosted by your county bar. Talk about the classes you’re
taking, the activities you’re involved in, your hopes for the future; they are
human and will know where you are coming from, because they have been there
too!
Do not rely on organized events.. Google, speak to career
services, and otherwise research attorneys who practice where you think you
might want to practice, either geographically or in specialty. See if you have
any mutual connections who might introduce you, if not, send them a “cold email.”.
Make a concentrated effort to show up and you will be
noticed!