One Simple Way to Make Sure Your Summer Job Helps You Get Your Next Job

Using a super cheap analog tool.

Your first (or second) summer job as a law student is an important part of your growth as a young lawyer. But it is unlikely to be your last job. As a result, the most important parts of a summer job are gaining experiences, learning about what you like and dislike, and completing projects that teach you or expose you to new skills. The problem is that it is challenging in the moment to identify them and even harder to capture the takeaways that will help you get (and succeed at) your next job.

Which brings me to one of my simplest and highest value but also lowest cost pieces of advice to get more from your summer experience:

Post-It Notes.

Yes, seriously, Post-It Notes.

Keep a stack with you all summer at your desk wherever you are working (and if you are hybrid keep two stacks—one at each desk. Have a pad of post-it notes in front of you all summer long. This will be a trigger to reflect on what you are doing, what you are learning, and any particularly cool or interesting experiences AS THESE MOMENTS HAPPEN.

When that happens, just jot a super quick note down. By the end of the summer you’ll have a pile of memories, lessons, and reflections—without actually having to remember them or take time out of your schedule to compile them. You can use these memories to help you prepare for that hardest interview questions (e.g., “When was a time you failed at something and learned from it”) as well as when you are deciding what you want to do next (e.g. “I just went to a closing statement, it was thrilling, I can’t wait to do one myself someday.”).

I promise it will be worth it!

Talk soon,

Jonah

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