Strategies for Succeeding as a Transfer Student
After transferring to Windsor Law in 2014, I was blatantly told that transfer students do not secure summer or articling positions. This is simply not true. It is difficult, but not impossible. Given the condition of the market, as well as, lacking first-year Canadian grades, transfer students are clearly in a different position than students who have completed a full year at a Canadian law school. That is why it is imperative to be creative and think outside the box. Exhaust every opportunity, whether it is networking and building connections, or seeking clinical and/or research positions. In order to make the most of your law school experience, I have listed a few strategies that have been instrumental during my time at Windsor Law:
- Windsor Law Team – We have a very collegial student body at Windsor Law. Get involved with groups and causes that matter to you, and connect with professors who have contributed to a particular area of law that you are interested in. By integrating and immersing myself in legal areas of interest, I had and I am continuing to have a rewarding and valuable experience at Windsor Law.
- Grades Matter – Let’s face it, everyone uses CANs, but use them with caution. Rather than reinventing the wheel, use CANs of upper-year students that you know and trust as a resource to supplement your own lecture and reading notes. Be strategic because grades do matter!
- Build Relationships – Rather than networking and collecting business cards or adding someone on LinkedIn that you have only met once, it is more important to build genuine relationships. The legal community is quite small, and that is why it is important to build those relationships now. In addition to attending events and conferences, get to know your colleagues and upper-year transfers who have gone through the same process you are going through now.
- Get Out There – Connect with organizations that you have an interest in and attend conferences. Give people a chance to get to know who you are and what you can bring to the table. I know it is not easy because of time constraints, transportation issues, etc. But make the most of your law school experience because you do not want to look back with any regrets. Turn these weaknesses into strengths. For example, if managing your time and school is an issue, assess where you are spending most of your time. I will be honest – managing my schedule was a significant barrier that I had to overcome. I was working in Toronto and attending school in Windsor. It was not easy, but I made it happen. I took some time to plan and use the resources I had at my disposal. I am very glad I did because I was able to cultivate strong drafting skills at work that have proven to be a significant factor in my success in the Business Agreements course that I am currently taking. Also, by turning such weaknesses into strengths, you will develop a strong work ethic and disciplined habits that will be helpful in your role as a future lawyer.
5. Motivation - Your experience at law school, and for anything in life for that matter, is what you choose to make of it. If you want that Bay Street job, make it happen. Be strategic and have a plan, and if that plan does not work out, be flexible enough to use what you have to your advantage. Be a trailblazer and do not give up!
I hope these tips prove to be helpful during your time at Windsor Law, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail me. I am happy to help in any way that I can.