As a pre-law student, one of the most important steps you can take to prepare for a career in law is to gain practical experience through internships. Summer internships, legal or not, are a great way to get your foot in the door and learn more about an industry, while also building valuable skills and connections. However, simply participating in an internship is not enough; it’s important to make the most of your experience to ensure that you gain the maximum benefit. Here are some tips for making the most of your summer legal internships:
1. Set Goals Before you start your internship, it’s important to set specific goals for what you hope to achieve. This could include gaining experience in a specific industry, or in a particular area of law, developing a specific skill set, or building connections with professionals. By setting clear goals, you’ll be better equipped to stay focused and make the most of your time.
2.Be Proactive Don’t wait for your supervisor to tell you what to do; take the initiative and look for opportunities to get involved. Ask your supervisor if you can assist with a particular project or task, or offer to take on additional responsibilities. By being proactive, you’ll demonstrate your commitment and eagerness to learn, which can help you stand out and make a positive impression.
3. Network Summer internships are a great opportunity to build your professional network. Take advantage of this by attending events, such as networking receptions or industry conferences, and introducing yourself to other professionals. Ask for their advice, share your own experiences, and exchange contact information. You never know when these connections may come in handy in the future.
4. Ask Questions Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re unsure about something. Your supervisor and colleagues are there to help you learn and grow, and they’ll likely appreciate your willingness to seek guidance. Asking thoughtful questions can also help you gain a deeper understanding of the profession and the work you’re doing.
5. Take Notes Throughout your internship, be sure to take detailed notes on your experiences, projects, and assignments. This can be a helpful reference for future job interviews or when writing your resume. Additionally, taking notes can help you reflect on what you’ve learned and identify areas where you may need further development.
6. Seek Feedback Ask your supervisor for regular feedback on your performance, and be open to constructive criticism. Use this feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow, and apply it to your work moving forward. Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from colleagues or other professionals you work with. Their insights can be invaluable in helping you improve your skills and knowledge.
7. Stay Professional Remember that your internship is a professional experience, and treat it as such. Be punctual, dress appropriately, and always conduct yourself in a professional manner. This includes being respectful of your colleagues, taking ownership of your work, and communicating clearly and effectively.
By following these tips, you can make the most of your summer internships and gain valuable experience and connections that can help you in your future career. Good luck!
Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series that aims to provide prospective law students with helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.
Thomas Yu
CITY ATTORNEY, CITY OF CHampaign
quick facts about MR. YU
Law School: Northern Illinois University College of Law
UIUC Undergraduate Major: Philosophy
Mr. Yu’s Three Words to Describe the Legal Profession:
Welcome to Law School Insider! In this multi-part blog series, you will hear directly from current law students about their favorite courses, law school myths, best tips, and more!
In this second post of the series, you will hear about all-time favorite specialized and upper-level (2L – 3L year) law school classes and why your fellow Illini chose them.
Antitrust
“Antitrust law was my favorite law school class. I was an economics major in undergrad, and antitrust allowed me to apply what I learned in undergrad to a legal setting. Antitrust law is one of the most quantitative and policy-focused areas of the law in my opinion, which is a welcome break from most law school classes.”
-Ben T. | University of California Berkley School of Law
Aviation Law
“I loved my Aviation Law class because I am interested in all things aerospace and defense, and it was a unique class that covered a lot of different topic areas in aviation. It was co-taught by two professors who both have extensive experience practicing law in this field (one is even a pilot) and they were both fascinating — it was an honor to learn from them.”
-Erica H. | George Washington University School of Law
Corporate Compliance
“Corporate Compliance. It is funny to see how businesses try and manipulate legal terms.”
-Nick S. | University of Illinois College of Law
Criminal Procedure
“Criminal (Procedure) Adjudications because it tracks a logical timeline from arrest to sentence.”
-Sanjiv S. | University of Illinois College of Law
“Criminal Procedure I (Investigation). Great Professor and interesting constitutional issues that align with my personal interests. It’s a great course for applying very arguable legal principles to diverse facts.”
-Noah S. | William & Mary Law School
“Constitutional Criminal Procedure. I went into law school interested in criminal justice reform, and so learning more about the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments in-depth has been intellectually fulfilling and applicable to my future practice.”
-Tara S. | Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
“Criminal procedure, because there are so many nuances about criminal procedure that everyday citizens may not know about, so knowing some of those things, is not only applicable to representing clients but your personal conduct with police.”
-Maciek C. | University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School
Critical Race Theory
“My favorite law school class is Critical Race Theory. Learning how the law is deeply invested in and reinforces inequitable power structures is essential to my understanding of what kind of advocate I want to be and how I intend to approach the legal field to uplift marginalized communities.”
-Karen C. | UC Davis School of Law
Deposition Advocacy
“Deposition Advocacy. It was a very practical class. I learned a lot and the workload was very reasonable.”
-Vanessa A. | Loyola University Chicago School of Law
First Amendment Law
“First Amendment Law is my favorite! My professor is engaging, knowledgeable, and does a great job facilitating class discussion. It’s really important to try taking classes with good professors if you can help it. The material of the class is really interesting, and I have developed a much deeper understanding of the theory and practicality of the First Amendment from this course!”
-Skylar R. | Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Information Privacy
“Information Privacy because it incorporates a lot of legal disciplines and is very timely.”
-Alberto V. | University of Chicago Law School
International Law
“I’m taking international law as my 1L elective, which is by far my favorite class. I’m interested in international environmental law, and it’s been wonderful to have an opportunity to study that subject while still in my first year. I definitely recommend taking an elective 1L year, being able to study something you’re passionate about can be a nice break from the required 1L doctrinal courses that you may not feel as personally invested in.”
-Amanda W. | Duke University School of Law
Professional Sports Law
“Professional Sports Law, it is ultimately what I came to school for and gives me real-world insight into the intersection of sports and law.”
-Austin M. | Marquette University Law School
Sovereign Debt & Financial Stability
“Sovereign Debt & Financial Stability. It has been a practical and timely look into lawyers’ roles in preventing and resolving financial crises.”
-Sydney S. | Georgetown University Law Center
Trial Advocacy
“Trial advocacy. It teaches you how to operate in the courtroom and is the first experiential class you can take in law school.”
-Mallory M. | University of Illinois College of Law
DID YOU MISS PART ONE?
Click here to read what current law students are saying are their favorite first-year courses!
April 1: 2023-2024 Pre-Law Advisory Council Applications Now Open| For more information and to apply, click here.
April 3:Apply for CLEO’s ASAP (Achieving Success in the Application Process)| Applications are now open! Select from multiple dates. For more information and to apply, click here.
April 1: DEADLINE! Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholar Program | For more information and to apply, click here.
April 1: DEADLINE! Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund | For more information and to apply, click here.
April 1: DEADLINE! John S. Manos, Esq., Memorial Graduate Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.
April 1: 2023 Illinois Latino Law Student Association Forum | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm25 E Jackson Blvd Chicago, IL 60604. For more information, click here.
April 3: Apply for “Explore Law” FREE with Penn State Law! | June 12-15 on Zoom. Registration closes April 30. For more information and to apply, click here.
April 4:DEADLINE!First Generation College Student Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.
April 4:University Library Academic Success Series: Imposter Syndrome | 1:00 pm Main Library 106. For more information, click here.
April 4: FREE Killer Games Workshop presented by TestMasters | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm. For more information and to register, click here.
April 4:Diving into Neurodiversity: A Guide for Staying Well in a Neurotypical World | 7:00 pm in Education Building 323. For more information, click here.
April 5:Fulbright Scholarship Information Session | 8:30 am ONLINE. For more information, click here.
April 5:Washington & Lee Law Group General Information Session | 12:00 pm on Zoom. For more information and to attend, click here.
April 5:Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 12:00 pm in Education Building 242. For more information, click here.
April 5: Pre-Law Pop-Up! | 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm at Grainger Engineering. For more information, click here.
April 5:AccessLex Webinar – Law Student Panel: The Inside Scoop | 7:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.
April 6:Pre-Law Advisory Council Information Session | 12:30 pm Via Zoom. To learn more, click here.
April 6:DEADLINE!Law School Opportunity Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.
April 6:AccessLex Webinar — Choosing a Law School | 3:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.
April 6:Counseling Center’s Perfectionism Series | 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm in Lincoln Hall 2043. For more information and to register, click here.
April 6: Application Roadmap | 4:00 pm on Zoom. For more information and to register, click here. Registration closes on April 5 at 11:59 pm.
April 10: DEADLINE! Last day to apply to be an I-STAR for Undergraduate Admissions! | For information and to apply, click here.
April 10: Sign-up for CLEO’s Pre-Law Summer Institute! | Applications close May 1st. For more information and to register, click here.
April 10: Join MAFA and Apply to be on the Executive Board! | Member registration closes June 1 and Executive Board applications close April 21st. To register, click here. To apply for executive board, click here.
April 10:Pre-Law Advisory Council Information Session | 4:00 pm Via Zoom. To learn more, click here.
April 10:Liberals, Conservatives, and the Climate of Fear: How Campus Free Speech is Failing and How it Can be Saved | 12:00 pm in Room C at UIUC College of Law. For more information, click here.
April 11: Pre-Law 101 Session One | 4:00 pm at TBD. For more information and to register, click here. Registration closes on April 10 at 11:59 pm.
April 11:Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 5:30 pm in Everitt Lab 1302. For more information, click here.
April 11:AccessLex Webinar — Applying to Law School | 7:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.
April 11:It’s Not You, It’s Us: Supporting a Friend in Distress | 7:00 pm in Education Building 4G. For more information, click here.
April 12:Washington & Lee Law Virtual Admissions Wednesdays| 9:30 am – 2:30 pm. Take the opportunity to speak with an admission representative, a current student, or join a thematic group session every Wednesday. For more information, click here.
April 12: Pre-Law Pop-Up! | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Ikenberry. For more information, click here.
April 12:Fulbright Scholarship Information Session | 12:00 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.
April 12:Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 12:00 pm in Education Building 242. For more information, click here.
April 12:Virtual Tours with the University of Miami Law | 12:30 – 1:30 pm every Wednesday. For more information and to register, click here.
April 13:AccessLex Webinar — Applying to Law School: A Strategic Approach to Underrepresented Students | 11:00 am ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.
April 13:Counseling Center’s Perfectionism Series | 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm in Lincoln Hall 2043. For more information and to register, click here.
April 13:Fulbright Scholarship Information Session | 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm in Lincoln Hall 1002. For more information, click here.
April 13:Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 6:00 pm in ISR Seminar Room A. For more information, click here.
April 13:AccessLex Webinar – Law Student Panel: The Inside Scoop | 7:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.
April 14-15: April LSAT – Good luck to everyone taking the LSAT this weekend!
April 15:DEADLINE!Federal Circuit Bar Association Board Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.
April 15:DEADLINE!Federal Circuit Bar Association Need-Based Scholarships | For more information and to apply, click here.
April 15:DEADLINE!Giles Sutherland Rich Memorial Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.
April 15:DEADLINE!Helen W. Nies Memorial Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.
April 15:DEADLINE!Howard T. Markey Memorial Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.
April 15:Diverse Lawyer Pipeline Initiative Bridging the Gap: Making the Dream of Law School a Reality | 10:00 am – 2:30 pm on Zoom. For more information and registration, click here.
April 17:LAST DAYto Apply for the 2023-2024 Pre-Law Advisory Council | For more information, click here.
April 18:Fulbright Personal Statement Workshop | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.
April 18: Pre-Law 101 Session Two | 4:00 pm at TBD. For more information and to register, click here. Registration closes April 17 at 11:59 pm.
April 18:Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 5:30 pm in Everitt Lab 1302. For more information, click here.
April 18:AccessLex Webinar — Paying for Law School | 1:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.
April 18:Counseling Center’s Test Anxiety Program | 4:00 pm in Lincoln Hall 2043. For more information, click here.
April 18:#BeReal: Navigating Authenticity and Social Media | 7:00 pm Huff Hall 114. For more information, click here.
April 19: Pre-Law Pop-Up! | 4:00 pm at Gies for Gies students. For more information, click here.
April 19:Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 5:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
April 19: Roosevelt University Paralegal Studies Program Information Session | 6:30 pm ONLINE. For more information and to register, click here.
April 20:Counseling Center’s Perfectionism Series | 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm in Lincoln Hall 2043. For more information and to register, click here.
April 20:Fulbright Personal Statement Workshop | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm in IUB 514. For more information, click here.
April 20:Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 6:00 pm in ISR Seminar Room A. For more information, click here.
April 21: DEADLINE! Last day to apply for MAFA Executive Board! | To apply, click here.
April 24: Application Roadmap| 4:00 pm on Zoom. For more information and to register, click here. Registration closes April 23 at 11:59 pm.
April 25: DEADLINE! Last day to register for the June LSAT! | To sign-up, click here.
April 25:Fulbright Scholarship ETA Workshop | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.
April 25:There Is Always Light if You’re Brave Enough to See it: Building Hope and Resilience | 7:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
April 26: Pre-Law Pop-Up! | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm in 514 IUB. For more information, click here.
April 26:AccessLex Webinar – Building Your Law School Budget | 5:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.
April 26:Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 5:00 pm on Zoom. For more information and to attend, click here.
April 27:Access Lex Webinar – Your Law School Investment | 7:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.
April 28:DEADLINE!National Council on International Trade Development (NCITD) Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.
April 28: Yellow Peril Redux speech series – “The Yellow Peril and the Law” | 2:30 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
April 28:Fulbright Scholarship ETA Workshop | 3:00 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.
April 30:DEADLINE!Living with a Sense of Purpose Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.
April 30:DEADLINE!Last day to apply for “Explore Law” FREE with Penn State Law! | June 12-15 on Zoom. For more information and to apply, click here.
