Patricia Boyer, a third-year law student at the University of North Carolina, earned a full three-hour course credit for working as an extern with the Real Estate Commission's Legal Services Division during the spring semester.
"It also gave me experience working in a public environment," the Columbus, Ohio, native pointed out as she neared semester's end and graduation in May. "I now know government is one area where I might find work that interests me."
Job Hunt Ahead
With the Ohio state bar exam and a job hunt immediately ahead of her, the externship will be especially valuable in guiding her choices for employment. She adds it to an internship held last summer in the corporate practice of a large Columbus law firm.
Each year, the Commission's Legal Services Division provides "real world" working experience through intern and extern placement. Part of Patricia's work during this past semester involved conducting preliminary research to make factual determinations in complaints and observing hearings before the Commission. Each week, she emailed a journal of her activities to her professor.
Application for the externship was made through the UNC Law School extern office where the Commission posts its availability as a public interest placement site for law students. An extern may also be chosen for the fall semester of each year. Under the program, a student works 10 hours per week or a total of 140 hours for one semester's three-hour course credit.
Summer Internships
In addition to fall and spring semester externships, one or two students, usually from area law schools and with an interest in public service, are chosen for summer internships. The Commission conducts interviews and then chooses the one or two students most qualified overall. They work full time for 10 weeks and, like externs, assist with consumer complaints and other legal issues.
"Both the Commission and the students benefit from working together," said Miriam Baer, Assistant Director of the Legal Services Division. "The Commission gains extra assistance on legal matters while the student gains experience and education in his or her chosen profession."