I am a class of 2002 law school graduate still seeking employment. I had hoped to go into labor and employment law, but I don't see a lot of job listings in this area. What should I do? Also, should I consider an alternative legal career at this point? I know that everyone is in the same boat, but it's really tough out there.

Thanks,
S

Dear S:

It is a very tough market for recent graduates, but I have been seeing the job offers start to roll in for your class -- slower than in other years, but people are becoming employed. Most of the jobs that I have seen have been in small- to medium-sized litigation firms. Those are the firms that seem to gravitate towards hiring recent grads. Frankly, I think it's a great place to start if you pick a small firm that will give you lots of hands-on experience. As long as you don't stay forever, and as long as they represent a variety of clients in different practice areas, I think it is likely that you will be able to transition into something else later, if you wish.

You indicated that labor and employment law interests you. I would try to join a local bar association and get involved in the labor and employment law committee. In my experience, joining such a committee is a great way to meet people and network in that practice area. But you have to actually get involved. Go to the meetings, work on a project. Just getting the mailings does not count! There are also specialty bar associations in labor and employment law that you can look into (and the same holds true for most practice areas). So if you are working for a small firm gaining good experience, and you are also networking in your practice area, you should be headed in the right direction.

As far as alternative legal careers go, it sounds to me like you are unsure at this point whether you want to practice law. Why not wait until you are sure before taking any drastic steps to leave the practice. While I have known many, many lawyers who have had great success in other fields -- see my book, Alternative Careers For Lawyers, for examples -- I have not known many lawyers who have had an easy time returning to the law once they have left. In general it is best to hold out for a legal job as long as you can. It will be nice for you to be able to say that you practiced and to try it out for yourself.

I wish you the best of luck with your job search!

If you have your own question for Hillary, send her an e-mail to Help me Hillary.

Hillary Mantis, Esq., is a career counselor and author of career books. She is the author of Alternative Careers for Lawyers and Jobs for Lawyers: Effective Techniques for Getting Hired in Today's Legal Marketplace.

Ms. Mantis consults with individuals and corporations on issues including: career transition, career advancement and direction, interviewing skills, leadership development, women in the workplace, and professional growth. She has been affiliated with Fordham University School of Law Career Planning Center for the past six years and has been a career counselor for over ten years. She is a graduate of Brown University and Boston College Law School. For more information about private career counseling, e-mail altcareer@aol.com, or go to www.mynewcareer.net.