Columbia Law’s Office of Private Sector Careers (OPSC) helps students and alumni explore career paths with top law firms and businesses around the world—from global and boutique firms to multinational corporations and Silicon Valley startups.
The OPSC counseling team assists you from your first semester at the Law School until graduation and beyond. Our advisers will help you develop a career roadmap tailored to your goals, passions, and geographic preferences. In addition, our extensive alumni network and close connections with leading employers provide unrivaled access to a world of opportunities.
Connect with a wide range of top employers. Over three to four days every summer, the Early Interview Program invites the most prestigious law firms in New York City and other national and international legal centers to interview J.D. students. OPSC also arranges a yearly interview program for LL.M. students at Columbia and other leading law schools, as well as additional fall and spring semester programs for J.D. students.
Learn from the best. Our professional development speakers include outside lecturers and Law School alumni, most of whom hold partnerships at major law firms or serve as in-house counsel at international corporations and startups.
Polish your résumé to perfection. OPSC career counselors meet individually with students throughout the year to develop their résumés and other written material. They also host résumé writing workshops.
Boost your confidence. All first-year students are required to participate in mock interview programs—at Columbia Law School or the offices of leading law firms—in advance of the fall recruiting season. The practice interview (conducted by an attorney) and subsequent feedback session allow students to better prepare for “real” interviews and sharpen their skills for future job search opportunities.
Access a wealth of resources. OPSC maintains a separate library of online and print resource materials—from specialty practice directories to career choice manuals—that inform students about career options and connect them to employers. The office also utilizes a specialized database tailored to accommodate students participating in recruiting programs. Through the database, you can choose the employers with which you would like to interview, sign up for a counseling appointment, view a calendar of upcoming career-related events, and browse hundreds of job postings updated daily.
Office of Private Sector Careers
The Office of Private Sector Careers helps students and alumni explore opportunities in the private sector. We advise students and alumni, provide career-related resources, and host career exploration, professional development, and recruitment programs.
