Chapter 1: Externship Foundations
9 1.9 Views & Advice from Former Externship Students
Gemma Smyth
Previous externship students were asked about what they learned during their externship experience. Below are quotes from students about their experiences.
- “I learned how to ask for help.”
- “I saw how an organization operationalizes care for their employees. The organization I worked at modelled wellness, including by doing check ins, taking time away from the office, setting boundaries around home and work, and offering help.”
- “How lawyers speak about their clients matters. I externed with an organization that demonstrated their care for clients by speaking about their strengths and potential rather than their weaknesses.”
- “Be humble! Everyone you meet has something to teach you and it’s important to be open to learning. This requires balance. It’s important to understand what skills and experience you bring to the table and communicate both your limitations and your strengths to your colleagues and supervisors when relevant.”
- “Your externship might not always go as planned. Be flexible and adaptable.”
- “Be proactive and seek out learning opportunities. Externships provide for “real life” learning situations in a controlled environment with supportive supervision. Be proactive at placements by asking questions and observing.”
- “Socialize with everyone at the placement to get advice from experienced professionals. Treat all staff respectfully. Keep in mind that you can also learn valuable perspectives from staff, other than the lawyers. Don’t underestimate your interactions with support staff.”
- “Be up-to-date with the area of law the placement practices so you are confident when your supervisor assigns you a task.”
- “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You will complete better work if you’re fully informed on the issue you have been assigned to research.”
- “Step out of your comfort zone by conducting research on topics you are unfamiliar with, you will gain a whole new breadth of knowledge and it allows you to think on your feet, something that is so necessary in the practice of law.”
- “Say “yes!” Get in the habit of saying yes and agreeing to participate in the activities going on at your workplace. Saying “yes” helps to build relationships with coworkers and to establish trust. It also shows your coworkers that care about the mission of the organization, not just about getting your piece of work out of the way. They may be more willing to include you in other, more exciting, pieces of work. This can involve: Spending time eating lunch with your coworkers, Taking time out of your day to learn about your coworkers and share about yourself, helping someone with a simple IT issue.”
- “Don’t be ashamed to make mistakes and to acknowledge them. In law school, I often feel the pressure to appear to as though I understand everything and that I can do it “right” on the first try. Practical experience is different. It is more respectable to acknowledge and rectify your mistakes, than to try to maintain an air of constant perfection.”
- “It is okay to ask for help or clarification! Remember that you are a student and that you are at your placement to learn! Your colleagues and supervisor are aware of this and are often ready and willing to answer your questions. I was able to confidently ask for further clarification on a research task. Doing so saved me a lot of time in terms of research and helped me narrow my focus.”
- “If you are interested in a particular area of research or want to be involved at your placement in another way, let your supervisor know! After hearing and learning about Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) hearings in great detail, I expressed my interest in attending one to my supervisor. Shortly after, she was able to arrange an opportunity for me to attend a LTB hearing with my colleague!”
- “Put yourself out there and be open to learning from colleagues! I was able to have meaningful conversations with my coworkers about our interest in social justice advocacy and how that can be actualized in the realm of housing rights by working together.”
- “Communicate! Provide updates on your progress, ask questions, and share ideas. It’s important to keep the lines of communication open so that supervisors and colleagues can gauge how much work you have on your plate, whether or not you need guidance, and whether you are being underutilized. “This information is key to ensure a successful placement for both the student and the organization
- “Be flexible. Be willing to change your schedule, stay back on certain days and take on different assignments. This placement allowed me to “learn by doing” and you will learn a lot more if you keep an open mind and take on as many opportunities as you can.”
- “Reflect often. Keep a journal and set aside time to reflect on your experiences. This is important for both personal and professional development, and can help provide some clarity on your interests and the type of lawyer you want to become.”
Reflection Questions
- Review these statements above. What learning areas to you notice are covered here?
- Are there any statements that surprised you?
- What might you add to this list?
