Shana Scott, Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Brenda D. Villanueva, University of Maryland School of Law
As a 30-something law student, you will often be among the oldest members in your class. Though it may sometimes seem daunting to be returning to school after several years in the workforce or to be embarking on a second career, it is important to remember that your maturity and additional work experience can provide you with many advantages. Many employers, for example, view older candidates as more self-aware, reliable, and committed. You might also find that, as an older student, you are able to maintain more easily a sense of the “bigger picture,” and, as a result, to enjoy your time in law school more. In our limited space here, we have tried to provide you with some insights from our own experiences as 30-something law students. We encourage you, however, to seek out actively other older law students or second-career lawyers who can also share some of their own wisdom and experiences about successfully navigating law school and the legal market.
The experiences and skills we acquire in our undergraduate studies do not dissipate upon acceptance to a law school. The knowledge gained during the undergraduate years can be honed in and maximized to contribute to success in law school. This is especially the case in finding your first legal job. It is how we market ourselves that can make a difference. The inherent characteristics of a “straight out of undergrad” law student can be appealing to employers who are looking for driven individuals who they can groom and ultimately, incorporate into their work force.
As a straight out of undergrad student, it is natural and even recommended to ask questions, gather tips and get advice from as many experienced people as you can. The following tips and interviews with professionals who regularly interact with such students is not an exhaustive account but a window into how and why straight out of undergrad students can succeed.
TIP #1: Each experience contributes to one becoming an adept attorney, your undergraduate activities should be marketed accordingly.
capitalize on unique workplace skills and professional experience in several facets of her time in law school.
Take the time to share your life experience with faculty and staff. This builds professional networks and emotional support as you transition back into the role of a student.
During the first year of law school, Shana wanted to blend in with the other law students and often hid her work experience from faculty and staff members. However, as she became more embedded in the Health Law program at Loyola, she used her previous experience as an advantage. Be aware of, and capitalize in knowing that when faculty and staff know that you have a niche experience they will always think of you first when opportunities arise. Often times, faculty members will look to the experienced law student to serve as the “in-class” expert.
Another advantage to building these relationships is that you will create “built-in” recommenders for future job opportunities. Attend office hours, and begin scouting for professors you think might be interested in writing you a letter of recommendation for the future.
Take Care of Yourself – 30 is Not 20. Be Thankful for That!
At 30, there is very little in the world that can motivate you to pull four all-nighters in one week! In fact, you are often not surprised with yourself for wanting to curl up in your favorite blanket with a warm cup of tea on a Friday night. Taking these quiet moments away from the stress and buzz of law school life can be really important, regardless of your age. Here are three helpful tips to assist you as you navigate the law experience, sometimes with more than a decade of real world experience than your peers.
Listen to Your Body
Decide early how, when, and where you study best. If all-nighters are not your style, that is fine. Listen to your body and find a study routine that makes sense for you. Also, be sure that this mantra follows with other important aspects of your life including food, physical activity, time with your partner, and leisure time with family and friends. If you do find yourself caught up in the hustle of the law school life and your body is revolting, slow down. Scale back where you can. Take time to listen to your body and remember what it means to care for yourself. Most of us by this stage in life have had these kinds of moments already, so trust yourself when it comes to putting solutions into practice.
Coping with Stress and Anxiety
A hurdle that older law students face is readjusting to the rigors of school. You may or may not be arriving to the law school experience with the same stresses as your 22-year-old classmates. That is absolutely fine. Pat yourself on the back even for surviving your 20’s and starting your 30’s with an important new professional life! As much as you are re-introduced to the 20-something’s social worries of life, it is your choice about how you will cope with it.
Understand that 20-somethings often deal with stress and anxiety differently than you. Again, you know your best. If joining a study group of anxious 22 year olds is not for you, that is okay too. Early in your law school experience, find the place and the people who complement your academic and professional style.
Managing Demands Outside of Law School
Do you support a family member? Are you in a very serious personal relationship? Or, are you a member of an important organization
that you will not leave behind once you start law school? These are all wonderful parts of who you are. Each part blends together to make you the important person that you are.
Your life may have additional demands that your 20-something classmates are not faced with. Do not be discouraged about that! Just realize that your new academic schedule will not always be as compassionate about these obligations as you might be. Prioritize early. Reorganize your schedule often. Do this to ensure you are excelling in law school and have the necessary energy to share in other important moments.
1 For additional personal stories on the life of the Thirty-Something Law Student please visit the following blogs, discussion forums, and resources: Nontrad Law, the Intelligent Law Student Community http://www.nontradlaw.net/ (last visited Feb. 2, 2014) ; Nontraditonal Law Students, ABOUT.COM http://lawschool.about.com/od/nontraditionallawstudents/ (last visited Feb. 2, 2014); A.J., THE THIRTY-SOMETHING LAW STUDENT BLOG http://30somethinglawstudent.wordpress.com/ (last visited Feb. 2, 2014).
2 Steven C. Bennett, Networking Advice for Second-Career Lawyers, AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION http://www.americanbar.org/publications/young_lawyer_home/young_lawyer_archive/yld_tyl_sept09_networking.html (last visited Feb. 2, 2014).
3 J. Manly Parks, Branding Yourself: Seven Thoughts About Niche Marketing, AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION http://apps.americanbar.org/lpm/lpt/articles/ftr12092.shtml (last visited Feb. 2, 2014).
4 N. Andrew Rotenstreich, Got an Itch to Create a Niche?, AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION http://www.americanbar.org/publications/young_lawyer_home/young_lawyer_archive/yld_tyl_may07_rotenstreich.html (last visited Feb. 2, 2014).
5 Benefits of Work Experience, THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY http://www.theiet.org/students/work-careers/work-experience/benefits.cfm (last visited Feb. 2, 2014); Job Search Toolkit, Guide for Experienced Students, HARVARD LAW SCHOOL http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/careers/opia/toolkit/experienced-students/landing-page.html (last visited Feb. 2, 2014).
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