When looking for help with planning your program there are numerous resources on campus for you to tap. There are four primary categories of questions that students typically have when doing academic planning: (A) logistical questions, (B) subject-matter questions, (C) questions related to balancing the demands of coursework and other obligations, and (D) career and professional development questions.
Logistical Questions
These are question about when courses are typically offered, prerequisites, and other similar information needed when planning. Many of the answers to these questions are available on the Course Descriptions section of the Mitchell Hamline website. Staff in the Office of the Registrar are also great resources to respond to these types of questions. Staff members from the Office of the Registrar and the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs and Student Life will attend one of your WRAP courses in the Spring Semester of your first year to respond to these types of questions.
Subject-Matter Questions
Subject matter questions are best handled by faculty members.
First-year Faculty Members – the faculty from your first-year sections are great resources for subject-matter questions and for referring you to other faculty members who might be good to consult on specific topics. Your small-group WRAP instructor is also good resource for you.
Faculty members are particularly well-suited to assist students with questions about specific areas of practice. To request the names of faculty members with interests that align with yours, e-mail Dean of Students Lynn LeMoine (lynn.lemoine@mitchellhamline.edu) or Professor Raleigh Levine (Raleigh.Levine@mitchellhamline.edu) and we will provide you with suggestions for faculty members to contact. In additions, you can check the Pathways to the Profession of Law. Suggested faculty members to contact are provided for several areas of practice.
Questions related to balancing the demands of coursework and other obligations
These types of questions can be addressed by many Mitchell Hamline employees and by the College counselors who are particularly well equipped to discuss balancing the rigors of law school with other obligations.
Some staff who often provide advice on these topics include:
- Leanne Fuith, Dean of Career & Professional Development
- Andrew Lehner, Assistant Director of Career & Professional Development
- Lynn LeMoine, Dean of Student Affairs and Student Life
- Karen Vander Sanden, Assistant Dean for Career & Professional Development
- Sally Zusman, Director of Academic Achievement
- You can also contact Kathy Connolly in counseling services at (651) 293-0979.
Career and Professional Development Questions
There are many resources on and off campus to respond to questions and to explore career and professional development questions. Mentors (both arranged through the Mitchell Hamline Mentors Program as well as mentor relationships that students have developed on their own), faculty members, friends, competition coaches, staff on campus who have worked in the legal and other professional communities.
The primary on-campus resource devoted to career and professional development is the Office of Career & Professional Development. The staff has a diverse set of experiences and talents and can provide invaluable insight into career development possibilities and counseling on experiences that will increase the likelihood that you will find satisfying employment upon graduating from law school. Their varied backgrounds help the College meet the wide range of needs and interests of the Mitchell Hamline student body.
Some of the services provided in the Office of Career & Professional Development are:
- resume and cover letter writing assistance;
- career exploration and assessment resources;
- interview preparation (coaching appointments and mock interviews with attorneys)
- online job postings/fellowships/internships;
- job search planning, handouts & tip sheets;
- employer/student networking events;
- programs on various types of legal career options;
- on-campus interviews with employers; and
- individual counseling appointments on all areas related to career and professional development