This is a guest post jointly submitted by Andrew Newcombe, Associate Dean, Academic and Student Relations and Francine Proctor, Law Co-op Coordinator.
The Faculty of Law will be launching a Work Experience Program (WEP) during the Fall 2024 term for students enrolled in the JD/JID program. WEP will be managed through the Law Co-op Office and admission will take place during the Fall term of 2L of the JD/JID program.
WEP will provide JD/JID students with the opportunity to complete one work term with a legal employer to gain work experience in the legal profession. Given the academic schedule for the JD/JID, this work term will typically take place during the summer after 2L or 3L. Students can work with the Law Co-op Coordinator to determine what works best given their individual circumstances. Work terms can take place during Fall or Spring semesters if this fits into a student’s schedule and does not conflict with mandatory JD/JID courses.
Work terms are paid, must be at least 12 weeks in length, and will be recorded on student transcripts. During a work term, students are enrolled as full-time students, but the experience does not replace the academic requirements of the JD/JID. Students enrolling in WEP must take the Introduction to Professional Practice Course (IPP) to obtain experience with writing cover letters/resumes, interview skills, professional networking skills, and guidance on working in a legal context. IPP will include JD students enrolled in the Law Co-op Program and will start in October of the Fall term.
The Faculty of Law may consider a full co-op option for JD/JID students in the future but given the length and scheduling of the academic courses in the JD/JID program, the Faculty is taking an incremental approach and starting with WEP.
Throughout the summer, we will be updating Faculty resources and the website to include information about WEP.