Mid-Summer Check-in
Building a Reflection Practice Starting Now
This is issue #45 of Standout Summer Associate: my experimental “once-a-week” e-mail project that quickly turned into a daily advice newsletter for summer associates and summer legal interns. I am so grateful to all the readers and guest posters—and especially to the folks who have sent such kind words about the project.
My plan is to post for two more weeks (last post August 1) before returning my focus to the How I Lawyer Podcast as well as a host of other projects. If you have any topics you’d like me to cover in my last few issue just reply to this e-mail.
That said, I was away from the project for a few days for a family trip and found myself reflecting on what I have shared and what I have learned. I also realize that some of you may be fast-approaching the end of your summer experience already (with others having several weeks to go). Regardless, I thought in today’s issue, I’d model the power of having a reflection practice by encouraging you to do a quick summer check-in (with a few reminders from earlier issues on what you can focus on this summer).
If you haven’t already, I think building in regular opportunities for reflection and planning into your career is a real superpower for building both successful and sustainable professional lives. And once you are out of school no one is going to force you to engage in a regular, reflective practice except you.
When I reflect, I like to draft a handful of questions and either answer them in bullet points or just think about them on a walk. You may have other priorities but to start here are some question you could use to do a mid-ish summer check-in:
Do I have a list or set of post-it notes on the experiences I have had and what I have learned this summer and/or a done list? If not, make that list now while its still fresh. (“One Simple Way to Make Sure Your Summer Job Helps You Get Your Next Job” & “The Done List”)
Have I connected with/met the internal folks who I should/want to meet before the end of my summer job? If not, schedule that lunch/coffee ASAP. (“Making Connections is Never a Bother”)
Have I worked on building a small but meaningful digital network on LinkedIn and beyond? If not, update your profile, make one connection, and send one e-mail. (“Creating Your Digital Network” & “It's Never Too Early: Why Summer Associates Should Care About Business Development”)
Have I taken initiative to “own the case” on at least one project or one matter? If not, think about one thing you can do on a current or future project that goes one step beyond what was asked directly. (“Own the Case from Day One”)
Have I updated my media diet? If not, ask one person in your office what you can read or listen to in order to get a deeper understanding of a relevant topic? (“Building An Intentional Media Diet”)
Have I found a group of people I could see myself working with (even if it is not in the practice area I thought I would like)? If not, see if you can find another group to work with before your summer ends. (“Finding Your Fit: Why People Matter More Than Practice”)
Have I reached out to someone who I don’t work with to tell them about my summer and what I am learning (such as a former boss, professor, or mentor)? If not, drop a law professor an e-mail connecting something you’ve done to something you learned in their class.
Keep reflecting and keep standing out,
Jonah
