Jun 12, 2017
Welcome back! Today, we’re talking with Ashley Matthews, Program Manager for Law School Engagement and Advocacy at Equal Justice Works, about preparing for a career in public interest work. Public interest is a competitive field to break into, and it comes with its own unique set of challenges. If you’ve decided you want to pursue a career in public interest law, this episode is a must-listen!
In this episode, we discuss:
- The challenges facing people who seek a career in public interest law
- Options for managing student loan debt for people in public interest careers
- Competitiveness in the public interest field
- What public interest employers are looking for
- Programs offered by Equal Justice Works for law students, recent grads, and more experienced lawyers
- The current controversy over validity of student loan forgiveness program approval letters
- The future of loan forgiveness and assistance programs
- Which law schools have LRAPs, and how to start one at your law school
Resources:
- Podcast Episode 38: Can You Really Afford Law School? (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-38-can-you-really-afford-law-school/)
- Equal Justice Works Fellowships (http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/post-grad/equal-justice-works-fellowships)
- Equal Justice Works Rural Summer Legal Corps Program (https://rurallegalcorps.org/)
- Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps JD (http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/law-school/americorpsjd)
- Podcast Episode 92: Top 1L Questions: The Money Edition (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-92-top-1l-questions-money-edition/)
- Podcast Episode 96: How to Rapidly Pay Off Law School Debt (with Guest Financial Panther) (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-96-how-to-rapidly-pay-off-law-school-debt-with-guest-financial-panther/)
- Equal Justice Works Free Student Debt Webinars (http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/webinars)
- Cowley, Stacy. “Student Loan Forgiveness Program Approval Letters May Be Invalid, Education Dept. Says.” N.Y. Times, Mar. 30, 2017. (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/30/business/student-loan-forgiveness-program-lawsuit.html)
- John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program (http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/resources/student-debt-relief/John-R-Justice-Student-Loan-Repayment-Program)
- Law School LRAPs (http://equaljusticeworks.org/schoollraps)
- How to Get to Know Your Professors in Law School (http://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/05/how-to-get-to-know-your-professors-in-law-school/)
- Equal Justice Works 2017 Conference and Career Fair (http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/law-school/conference-and-careerfair)
- Equal Justice Works on Twitter (https://twitter.com/ejw_students)
Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Episode-101-Preparing-for-a-career-in-public-interest-with-EJW.pdf)
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Thanks for listening!
Alison & Lee