Is OCI Dead?

(And would that be good or bad?)

👉 Only 24% of 1Ls got their summer job offers through OCI last year!

That’s per a new report from the National Ass’n for Law Placement (NALP).

The report says instead of OCI, it’s been these 3 routes by which most 1Ls (56%) got offers:

1: referrals
2: direct applications
3: pre-OCI resume collects

Early recruiting programs (“EIPs”) made for an additional 20% of offers.

🔴 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR RISING 1Ls:

Informal recruiting by lawyers will start THE DAY you walk through law school’s doors, if not before.

Please don’t get caught off guard!

You need to start—NOW.

1: Start researching potential employers.

—Educate yourself as much as you can on what to expect.
—Start thinking about where you might want to work.

2: Get your resume updated and in the right format.

—Law firms like it a certain way.

3: Start networking.

I know you are thinking it is too early and that you don’t “need” to network yet, but you’re wrong.

The best time to network is when you don’t need a network.

Your “stock” will never be so high.

👉 One year from now, you will be SO grateful that you started early.

Why not start today?

Fondly,

💌 Amanda

#Dear1L

P.S. Is the demise of OCI good or bad?

—On one hand, I think it might level the playing field, as 1Ls at T14s and other top schools tended to be helped by OCI.

—On the other hand, “referrals” tend to help students of families with well-connected lawyers.

 What I do know is that the shift of everything earlier in the 1L year has wrought havoc on the 1L year. I’ve never seen 1Ls so stressed so early, and it is NOT helping them keep up with and learn the material best for their courses.

🗳️ What do you think??

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🔵 I’ll put the link to the NALP press release and some acronym definitions for new folks in a comment below.