Internships
Getting an internship or job within a legal setting will expose you to the field. It can also provide you with networking opportunities and hopefully a strong letter of reference. But finding these opportunities as an undergraduate can be daunting. In general, Law Firms do not hire undergraduate interns (preferring to hire law students instead.) But seeking an internship with a non-profit law firm, County Clerk's Offices, Legal Aid societies, the Public Defender and District Attorney’s offices, as well as organizations whose focus aligns with the area of law that you intend to pursue, can be worthwhile and fruitful endeavors.
But please note that Law School Admissions teams do not expect every law school applicant to secure a law-related or even law-adjacent internship. Everyone involved in pre-law advising and admissions wants YOU to make decisions that are in your best-interest. Indeed, no one will second guess your choices with regard to how you spend your life's time as long as you are able to articulate why the different paths you follow maximize what makes you feel fulfilled, excited to participate and eager to learn more. Choose your own adventure! To quote Paul Coehlo, author of The Alchemist, “To realize one's destiny is a person's only real obligation.”
Think of your law school application materials as the pages of your own story. Your goal is to tell a narrative that reinforces what you espouse in your personal statement. For example, if you write about how dedicated to you are to social justice in your personal statement but have zero experience with social justice-related work, your words and passion may fall flat.
It is never too early to garner experiences such as internships. Indeed, Vanderbilt's Career Center makes it possible for all Vanderbilt undergraduate and graduate students to access the comprehensive internship/employment opportunity database Handshake. Using Handshake, you can search for internship and job opportunities in different industries; experience the hiring process by applying and interviewing on campus with employers; sign up for professional development workshops led by alumni or employers that provide insight into the workplace and skills needed to be competitive; search for career meetups offered on campus, and much more!
Vanderbilt University’s Career Center is also available to assist you in designing your respective internship search strategy, as well as to prepare commonly required professional documents such as resumes and cover letters. You can schedule an appointment with a Career Coach through Handshake.