The mission of the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD) is to provide students and alumni with a solid foundation for professional development, beginning with matriculation at the school and continuing throughout their professional lives, and to provide employers with the services they need to recruit our students and graduates.
The School of Law’s underlying dual mission to admit, educate and graduate students from communities underrepresented at the bar, and to serve the public interest, has fostered enormous support from judges, directors of public interest organizations, heads of government agencies, and lawyers in private practice. These “friends” of the law school, as well as our hundreds of alumni, work hard with us to help students and alumni find exciting, substantive internships, judicial clerkships, and permanent positions.
OCPD strives to provide students and alumni with the services, programs and resources they need to navigate the various stages of establishing and building a career, as well as career changes. The OCPD does not “place” students and alumni in positions. Only employers have the power to hire law students and graduates for legal and other positions. However, the OCPD offers support to students and alumni every step of the way in their job search by providing professional advice, relevant information and opportunities to connect with employers through its Symplicity database and on and off-campus events.
The School of Law’s small size permits individualized counseling by OCPD staff who are available in-person or by telephone to students and alumni by appointment. To schedule an appointment, please use the appointment request page in Symplicity.
Services include general career exploration and planning, strategizing, resume and cover letter preparation, development of networking and interviewing skills, as well as how to consider and negotiate offers of employment. Programs include guest speakers from a wide variety of practice areas in the public and private sectors. Resources include extensive web site materials, online job postings and subscription databases for students and alumni, as well as a small library.
All students are requested to upload their current resume to their Symplicity profile.
The School of Law collects and reports information regarding graduate employment outcomes in accordance with American Bar Association standards.
