Job shadowing is an essential activity for pre-law students, as so many law students go into law school without a realistic understanding of what lawyers actually do every day. Spending a few days shadowing now could save you a lot of time and money as well as help you to build your network, so it’s worth the investment.
Read through our job shadowing page to find out who to contact, what to say, how to prepare, and how to follow up. In addition to using the online alumni directory and asking family, friends, and faculty for suggestions, look at our database of experiential opportunities in the legal field. St. Olaf has connections with lawyers in non-profit organizations, government, firms, and businesses that have interacted with St. Olaf students. You should contact lawyers in several different settings and specialty areas to see what kind of work would suit you best.