Just one year ago, I never would have imagined that I would be spending this summer working in Manhattan for my very first legal job. As someone from the small town of Salem, Connecticut, living in Newark and commuting to New York City for an internship with Manhattan Legal Services has been a dramatic change from the quiet, long drives along town roads and highways. After receiving a Master’s in German Studies from the University of Connecticut, I found worked for a couple of years as an editor for a translation company. While this position allowed me to apply my love of languages in a professional setting and provided great experience, I began to feel the itch to return to school and accomplish one more goal I had always set for myself, obtaining a law degree.

Soon after starting my second semester at Rutgers Law School, the time came to my start my first job search. The Center for Career Development provided crucial advice and help every stage, from creating my first legal resumes to writing cover letters, to learning how to handle the speed-dating interview style at the NYU Public Interest Career Fair. A few organizations like Manhattan Legal Services did not accept any resumes before the fair, so I felt determined to approach their table and have a chance to speak with the attorneys in person. To my surprise, this talk led to an impromptu interview session that same morning, and eventually to an offer only a couple of weeks later.  

Manhattan Legal Services has a large number of practice areas and projects. I work in the Disability Advocacy Project (DAP), but also do work for the Veterans Justice Project as well as some occasional housing work. My responsibilities can vary from day-to-day, from writing appellate briefs in support of a disability claim, memos to attorneys researching particular topics, to gathering evidence and conducting investigations and interviewing clients. I’ve gained a tremendous admiration and respect for the work that all the attorneys and staff members do at every Legal Services branch around the city, and have the chance to work on the front lines on some of the most important issues facing New Yorkers.

The experience is already helping me towards achieving my career goals in law. The exposure to many different parts of city and state law, as well as many different practice areas, has given me a more well-rounded perspective on how the law affects people’s lives on a daily basis, and a motivation to continue providing vital public service long into my career. Each day I’m able to further legal skills that are applicable in any setting and I’m excited to continue along a path of empowering and serving others through the law.

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