Asia, 3L

Last week was the first week back at school! Although it is kind of tough transitioning from co-op to class, I am excited to start my 3L year. It was great seeing all of friends and classmates last week and hearing of their amazing experiences on their different co-ops. Some interned with federal judges, while others worked for firms, the government, or as in-house counsel. One friend in particular embarked on an amazing opportunity this fall quarter. She traveled to Kampala, Uganda this past Wednesday to work for a Human Right's Organization that focuses specifically on women's rights. My friend's current experience shows one of the many great things about Northeastern. If a student wants to work internationally for a particular cause they can do so through NUSL. For example, I interned in Delhi, India with The Human Rights Law Network through the PHRGE fellowship (http://asia-in-india.blogspot.com/), and my friend recently traveled to Uganda to work for what she believes in. The co-op program at NUSL is extraordinary.

This quarter I am taking four classes: Advanced Legal Research, Negotiations, Corporations, and Family Law. I have three classes on Tuesday and Thursday, and one class on Monday and Wednesday. Taking three classes in one day is a bit challenging, but it is worth it because I do not have Friday classes.

One of my many goals for this school year is to have a work-life balance. Along with my four classes I am in the process of applying for jobs post-graduation, and further applying to positions for my winter co-op: I have a lot to do for school and my career. In order for me to accomplish my goal of having a work-life balance I plan to to have fun this quarter! Boston is an amazing place with a lot of rich history. I unfortunately did not have a chance to explore Boston as much as I wanted my two prior years in law school, however I plan to do it now. :) In addition, this past weekend was labor day weekend and I spent it in Rhode Island for a wedding. The wedding was absolutely beautiful and I was grateful to have a break from school.

This upcoming week is going to be a very busy one. Not only do I have class, but I also have to run the first Black Law Student Association (BLSA) meeting. This year I am chair (president) of BLSA. BLSA is one of the most active organizations on NUSL's campus. Not only does BLSA organize events for the NUSL population and the community at large, but we also serve as a support system for our members in order for them to succeed in law school and further accomplish their career goals. I am extremely excited about this year for BLSA!

For now I am headed to sleep because I have an early 10:15am class in the morning. Some of you may be thinking that 10:15am is not early at all, however I am not a morning person. Until next time, good night.

It rained today!!! I don’t know why the rain compelled me to write this blog post, but for some reason it did. One great thing about the rain is that my car gets a free car wash! I know what you're thinking, but hey, I have to cut costs where I can. :)

As I look out of the window at the rain falling from the sky, I reminisce about my morning and further my summer as a whole. This morning I took the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). The MPRE is a test that all law students must pass in order to practice law in most jurisdictions. Although it is only a two hour test, the multiple choice questions are a bit tricky; thus, I studied and prepared for it by taking both a professional responsibility course at school and a Kaplan course on my own. I was a little nervous going into the test, but I adequately prepared for it and by God’s willing, I will do fine.

With less than a week left of my internship at the US Attorney’s Office, I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my summer. My co-op this summer was very thought-provoking and interesting. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the most brilliant attorneys who have an array of knowledge that I can only hope to have one day. I loved this internship because the lawyers trusted me, along with the other interns, to draft responses to defendants' motions and to appellate briefs: which definitely improved my writing. Subsequently, they read over my drafts, made corrections, debriefed my writing with me, and filed the document in court. I must say that it was a great feeling knowing that my hard work was used for the betterment of society. In addition, I had the opportunity to go on field trips with the other interns. Specifically, we visited the police station, TSA division at the airport, post office, and prison. There was one other field trip to the medical examiner’s office in which I did not attend because I knew that I could not stomach seeing an autopsy from start to finish.

Along with co-op, I also must reflect on the relationships that I’ve built throughout the summer. Moving to Nashville was a new experience for me. Prior to this summer I've had a limited amount of experience in Nashville: I attended college about an hour and a half away from Nashville but would only travel there a couple of weekends a semester with friends. Needless to say, living here was a bit different than a casual weekend trip. I moved to Nashville only knowing a couple of people in the city; therefore, I was inclined to make new friends. I was happy to learn that the interns with whom I would be working were all very nice. Throughout the summer we organized intern activities which included going to the swimming pool, having BBQ’s, going bowling, and much more. I am thankful for the relationships that I’ve built with my fellow interns and hope that they continue throughout the school year.

In addition, I also had a lot of fun this summer. Among other things, I took a trip to Houston and Rhode Island for weddings, traveled to New York for my boyfriend’s birthday, hung out with close college friends in Nashville, and went zip-lining! Yes! Zip-lining through trees over 60 feet above the ground. It was a-m-a-z-i-n-g!

I must say that although I enjoyed my summer here in Nashville, I still look forward to traveling back to Georgia next week in order to spend time with family and friends. I really miss my family and can't wait to see them.

Lastly, in case you are wondering how my job search is going, I’ve applied to nine jobs so far! I feel very accomplished after submitting those applications. Hopefully, I'll get an interview, but if not, I won’t give up the search!

Overall, this has been an extraordinary summer experience.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about life after law school. Specifically, what do I want to do after I take the bar next summer? Now, for some rising 3Ls this may be an exciting time, especially if that 3L has a job lined up already. However, this is very stressful for me because the job application process starts NOW!

I have yet to fully narrow down exactly what I would like to do after graduation, which makes the application process a bit difficult because I should start applying now. I know that that I am interested in criminal law and human rights, and in addition, I know that I would like to do some kind of judicial clerkship. But then again, I wouldn't mind working at a DA's office; or small/medium size firm; or attaining a fellowship for a year; or working for a non-profit; this list goes on.

I cannot help but wonder whether other rising 3Ls are going through the same dilemma of what to do after graduation. Where to move? What to practice? When to apply? How to apply? Now, I must admit that I am not completely lost in my application process because NUSL has an amazing career services department. I am grateful for the NUSL career services office because they have been extremely helpful as I tackle the journey of applying for jobs. It is great to know that they are just a phone call away.

So, now for the question you may have been thinking: "Asia, what HAVE YOU decided about life after law school? Have you decided anything?" Well, the good news is that I have decided to focus my job applications in Georgia (which is where I am originally from)!!! That’s exciting! Right? I have my region narrowed down. :) However, I definitely am not stuck on moving to Georgia. For example, if there is an opportunity elsewhere, then I am willing and able to take it.

Which brings me to my next point (thought): in order to practice law, one must take the bar. That is clear. But, what happens if say, I take the Georgia bar, then find out I have an opportunity to work in California. What happens then? I've been thinking about this for a while now. I am definitely taking the Georgia bar, but does that mean I should only apply to jobs in Georgia? Or, should I also expand my horizons elsewhere?

My life right now is full of questions. I know what I have to do: research and apply for jobs. However, finding the right job for me is a bit of a struggle. I've been speaking with the attorneys at my office (as a reminder I am currently doing an internship with the US Attorney’s Office in Nashville), and they've told me that my first job out of law school will not be my last. That's reassuring because as of now, I do not know what I would like to do with the rest of my life. Obviously I want to practice law, however, the specific sector and job are both still up in the air. I have my preferences, but then again I also have an open mind.

So another thought of mine is potentially going back to school to attain an LLM or masters. Since I would consider myself a "life-long learner," maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go back to school and attain another degree. Hmmm, maybe I should go back to school after I graduate law school? Actually, scratch that. I am going to focus on applying for jobs. :)

I will definitely keep you posted on my further thoughts regarding my job search. Wish me luck!

Well Hello Readers!!!

I am extremely excited to be a ‘Northeastern Blogger’ this upcoming school year!!! I should probably first introduce myself to all of you. I reign from Stone Mountain, Georgia. For high school I attended The Galloway School located in Atlanta and for college I attended Sewanee: The University of the South. While in college I was very involved in campus life. For example, I traveled on many outreach trips; I was a part of the dance and cheerleading teams; I participated in office for the African American Alliance; I worked with the Multicultural Outreach Board; held office in a local sorority, etc etc.

After college I knew that I wanted to go to law school but I also knew that I needed a bit of a break from school. So, I moved to Memphis, TN to teach 8th grade math with the Teach for America program. This was an amazing opportunity that I am very grateful to have had. As a teacher, I continued to be involved with my school, and in the Memphis community. After school I coached cheerleading and dance, and during my summers off I worked with the Memphis Red Birds baseball team (Triple-A affiliate to the Cardinals) as part of their promotional squad (some people may refer to the ‘promotional squad’ as ‘baseball cheerleaders’). Furthermore, I worked at Camp Bob (a Christian camp for underprivileged children located in Hendersonville, North Carolina) for one summer.

During my second year of teaching I applied to law school and was accepted to Northeastern. What attracted me to Northeastern was the co-op program. I loved the fact that I had an opportunity to intern at four different places, for three months each, during my three years of law school.

As I rising 3L I am currently in my third co-op. For my first co-op I interned with a Juvenile Judge in Lowell, Ma. For my second co-op, I had the astounding opportunity to work in the reproductive rights unit for the Human Rights Law Network in Delhi, India. I was granted this opportunity through the PHRGE fellowship at Northeastern. (If you would like to hear more about my time there, please visit: http://asia-in-india.blogspot.com/ ). Currently, I am interning with the US Attorney’s Office in Nashville, TN and I am loving every second of it! As an intern with the US Attorney’s Office, I work with a variety of lawyers in drafting complaints and responses to appeals in the civil and criminal divisions of the office. (I will definitely explain more as the summer continues.)

Another great thing about Northeastern is the active student life. I am currently chair of the Black Law Student Association, a part of the governing council for the Student Bar Association, member of the Women’s Law Caucus and Law Students for Reproductive Justice.

Outside of work and school, I enjoy reading, learning about new things, experiencing new places, going to church, and having fun with family and friends. In addition, I absolutely adore lifetime movies. In fact, some may refer to me as a lifetime movie fanatic. But, hey, what can I say, it’s a ‘guilty pleasure’ of mine. :)