BRIEFS Professional Development Boot Camp Gives Minority Students Skills and Connections to Succeed La Tourelle Resort and Spa buzzed with conversation on a Friday night in March as dozens of black, Latino, and Native American Cornell Law students mingled with lawyers who had made the trip to Ithaca for the weekend. A fun start to the weekend, yes, but also serious business—the third annual Professional Development Boot Camp was getting under way, and networking was definitely on the agenda. Organized by the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), the Latino American Law Students Association (LALSA), and the Native American Law Students Association (NALSA), the boot camp, held March 21 and 22 at La Tourelle and Myron Taylor Hall, aimed to connect first- and second-year law students with lawyers who had shared their experiences, and to help them hone the
skills they will need to succeed in the legal job market. During the weekend, students participated in workshops and panels with seasoned lawyers from law firms, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to learn about career options, get advice for networking with potential employers, and participate in mock interviews. Law School upperclassmen also spoke to students about how to prepare for the August job fair and how to make the most of the summer associate experience.
Minorities have a challenging time knowing what law firms are looking for. A lot of us are the first in our families to go to law school. Boot camp is an opportunity for them to get a head start on the recruiting process. — Nora Ali ‘15
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I’m sure you’re not likely to have an experience like that during this weekend,” he said. “Nevertheless, you should extend yourself, in role-play, in rehearsals, in concentrated thought about the skills you’d like to acquire here and present to potential employers in just a few months. Do remember that the very premise of boot camp is that all who exert themselves will find the resources and skills to thrive, not just survive.”
Grace Lee ‘10 RIGHT: Jessica Price of the ACLU of Southern California ABOVE:
Len Kennedy ‘77, a former BLSA member whose varied career has included serving as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s first general counsel, gave the keynote address to boot camp attendees at La Tourelle. Kennedy, who is currently general counsel and vice president at Neustar, spoke about a friend of his who had joined the military and gone through a very different type of boot camp, volunteering for one new training program after another. “Now,
“The Professional Development Boot Camp is an opportunity for first-year law students who are members of our organizations to really get an insight into the recruitment process for law firms,” says Nora Ali ‘15, the president of BLSA and a boot camp organizer. “Minorities have a challenging time knowing what law firms are looking for. A lot of us are the first in our families to go to law school. Boot camp is an opportunity for them to get a head start on the recruiting process.” The Professional Development Boot Camp was started in 2012 by LALSA, with BLSA