Gerald Slater: Director for Administration at the Office of Cooperative Legal Education, Northeastern University School of Law, Boston, MA
By Jen Woods
Northeastern University School of Law (NUSL) offers a unique cooperative education program (co-op), in which students alternate between full-time classes and full-time internships. The program gives students opportunities to apply the material they learn in the classroom to their related legal fields.
Northeastern University School of Law (NUSL) offers a unique cooperative education program (co-op), in which students alternate between full-time classes and full-time internships.
Gerald Slater, Director for Administration at the Office of Cooperative Legal Education at Northeastern University School of Law, says he enjoys helping law students prepare to enter the workforce. "Helping them navigate their entrance into the legal profession is quite rewarding," he said.
Slater, an NUSL alumnus, initially worked as a labor and employment attorney at Day, Berry & Howard, LLP, in Boston. After five years of practicing law, Slater decided it was time for a change.
"As a student and then as a supervisor of legal interns at my firm, [I was] always fascinated [...] as to where students selected to practice [and] how they learned about being a lawyer and the practice of law. I like to teach but also like to work in the real world, not just academic pursuits; and a work-to-learn program is very interesting to me," Slater said.
Seven years ago, Slater spoke at Northeastern University School of Law about how to get a job at Day, Berry & Howard, LLP. After his presentation, the director of the Office of Cooperative Legal Education offered him a position at the university, Slater said.
The School of Law's co-op program helps students build their resumes and expand their professional networks while they are still in school. In addition, about 40 percent of students accept full-time positions at their co-op job sites, Slater said.
The Office of Cooperative Legal Education works in collaboration with the Office of Career Services, helping students and graduates with career planning. For example, staff members from both offices are equipped to help students with resume writing and interviewing. The offices also share a combined resource room where students can look up information about different employers and job opportunities.
Slater said he provides a wide array of career advice to students. "We discuss their interests and goals, fields of law, and opportunities, and then use this information as search criteria to help them sort through our 800 participating employers and other opportunities that may be out there," Slater said.
In addition, Slater helps students cope with rejection. Co-op students are not guaranteed jobs; they interview and apply for positions just like everyone else. Therefore, Slater helps students decide where to apply for jobs if they do not get any of their top choices. He may refer students to the Office of Career Services for additional help with interviewing to increase their marketability.
Slater also counsels students who are uncertain about what they want to do. The co-op program helps students gain direction in terms of their career goals. They have opportunities to gain experience in several different areas to determine what is best for them. In fact, students are encouraged to explore different substantive areas of law and practice settings.
Slater said it is essential to meet one-on-one with students but admits it can be challenging to give each of the school's 600 law students and 800 employers the individual attention he or she needs. "It's very much a person-to-person field, and listening is key," he added.
The school works with approximately 800 co-op employers in more than 30 states. Students accept positions in a variety of legal practices, including private firms of all sizes, legal services, public defender associations, courts (state and federal, trial and appellate), government agencies, corporate legal departments, unions, and special interest advocacy organizations.
Co-op employers also benefit from the program, especially if they end up hiring students after they graduate. At the end of a student's co-op rotation, his or her employer writes a one-page evaluation of the student. "They are usually delighted" with the student's performance, Slater said.
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