What type of work experience constitutes 'work experience'? Forum

[jrobby6]

Particularly for Northwestern.

[Pearalegal]

If you have to ask, you don't have it.

[HerseyChris]

If you have to ask, you don't have it.

That's a great line. Could be the new 'that's what she said' type of thing.

[Pearalegal]

OP-what are you talking about, specifically?

[HerseyChris]

My guess would be either something that helps you with your law career or something that looks good. So business job for someone who wants to do corporate law, or I guess it's good just to show you can work in a business environment for several years and get used to the 'feel' of corporate America. Working as a paralegal or an engineer would also work. Things that look good would be things like the Peace Corp, Teach for America or teaching in general, or a Not-for-profit.

Things that don't help: Bartender, waiter, courier, etc.

Just an educated guess on my part.

[jrobby6]

I'm just wondering what type of work experience is Northwestern, or any other for that matter, is looking for. I'm still in undergrad but working part time for a litigation firm.

[Pearalegal]

I'm just wondering what type of work experience is Northwestern, or any other for that matter, is looking for. I'm still in undergrad but working part time for a litigation firm.

I think Northwestern is looking more for a few years out of UG working full-time. Its the whole maturity, dedication to law thing.

[vanwinkle]

I'm just wondering what type of work experience is Northwestern, or any other for that matter, is looking for. I'm still in undergrad but working part time for a litigation firm.

I think Northwestern is looking more for a few years out of UG working full-time. Its the whole maturity, dedication to law thing.

This.

It's the idea that you have the experience of working and earning wages in general, which is a different experience than attending college and living off loans. Almost any kind of full-time work that comes after you've graduated is sufficient. Of course, some work will probably carry greater weight than others; AmeriCorps is worth a lot more than waiting tables in most adcomms' eyes, I'm sure. But the idea is that work demonstrates "exposure to the real world" and a sign you've developed additional maturity and responsibility compared to a fresh graduate.

[riburn3]

I take it as working full time in a meaningful career type job with no support from mommy and daddy. Experience where you actually utilize your UG degree towards something meaningful.

[LvingLegend]

What if you worked full time while going to school?

[LawandOrder]

What if you worked full time while going to school?

In my view, this really isn't possible. Full-time employment is more than just 40-hours a week. It means working during the day on weekdays - something that can't be done during college.

[vanwinkle]

What if you worked full time while going to school?

Then you're the ideal candidate for BigLaw and they'll rush you through law school right away.

[Pearalegal]

What if you worked full time while going to school?

Then you're the ideal candidate for BigLaw and they'll rush you through law school right away.

Haha. But I really do think its more about moving away from undergrad (and everything that brings with it) for Northwestern, not just getting a solid resume.

[vanwinkle]

What if you worked full time while going to school?

Then you're the ideal candidate for BigLaw and they'll rush you through law school right away.

Haha. But I really do think its more about moving away from undergrad (and everything that brings with it) for Northwestern, not just getting a solid resume.

Well, being serious, I agree with you. It's about getting real-world experience and maturing beyond the point you're at when you graduate. You can try to demonstrate that you developed that maturity by balancing full-time work and your studies, but it'll probably be a lot harder to show; in contrast it's probably assumed by default that if you've worked after graduating you've had time to mature and develop that new perspective a bit.

[02082010]

What if you worked full time while going to school?

Then you're the ideal candidate for BigLaw and they'll rush you through law school right away.

Haha. But I really do think its more about moving away from undergrad (and everything that brings with it) for Northwestern, not just getting a solid resume.

This isn't true.

Per my conversation with an adcomm over the summer, they really value full-time WE during college bc it shows a certain level of maturity, time management skills, etc. As long as it's full-time and a real/career job, it will count.

[Pearalegal]

a real/career job, it will count.

I take a little bit of offense to this. I can understand that certain positions may be more impressive...but working full time in an office during school requires no more hard work and time management than waitressing.

[Cale39]

What if you worked full time while going to school?

In my view, this really isn't possible. Full-time employment is more than just 40-hours a week. It means working during the day on weekdays - something that can't be done during college.

It sure can