As you embark on your legal career journey, it may be helpful to familiarize yourself with any expectations that you, or potential employers, have about the legal profession. Many brilliant and thoughtful professionals came before you, and have meaningful advice to share through podcasts, blog posts, and professional development courses. This week, we introduce you to some resources on career advice, giving and receiving constructive feedback, and managing mental health in the legal profession, so that you can set yourself up for professional success!

Career Advice

1. ABA Law Student Podcast delivers coverage on current court cases, how to use your degree, and interviews with working professionals on the realities of a career in law. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play Music, and Stitcher.
2. The XL Legal Podcast, accredited by the Law Society of Ontario for Professionalism Hours, offers professional development tips ranging from what to expect in your early years as an attorney to taking care of your mental health. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play Music, and Stitcher.
3. Before your first day at your summer internship or post-bar employment, read the ABA’s Top 10 Tips for Civility and Professionalism in New Lawyers to learn more about how to navigate your new work environment.
4. Visit USF Law’s Office of Career Services for career counseling, connections to lawyers in your field of interest, and resources and tools to explore.

Giving and Receiving Constructive Feedback

1. Asked and Answered is an American Bar Association Journal podcast where host Stephanie Francis Ward interviews well-known lawyers for listeners to learn how they overcame professional and personal obstacles.
2. Learn how to give feedback to colleagues, build rapport, and work towards productive outcomes with this LinkedIn Learning video. Bonus: Earn a certificate and add Constructive Feedback as a skill to your LinkedIn profile!
3. Master using feedback to drive your performance with this LinkedIn Learning video. Bonus: Earn a certificate and add Performance Management and Constructive Feedback as skills to your LinkedIn profile!

Managing Mental Health in the Law Profession

1. Establish a healthy lifestyle in and outside of the workplace. Read how to build referral sources early, establish boundaries, and maintain meaningful relationships in the law profession.
2. In this LinkedIn Learning video, organizational psychologist Gemma Roberts describes how to develop self-awareness and align your intentions with your actions. Building positive relationships in the workplace helps produce positive outcomes in your day to day life, making managing your mental health that much easier. Bonus: Earn a professional certification, continued education credits, and add Emotional Intelligence as a skill to your LinkedIn profile!
3. The Law Stress Solution is a podcast that offers concrete tools for dealing with the pressure of a legal career. Available on Apple Podcasts.

So, whether you are looking to develop skills or develop healthy habits, these resources can be used as starting points for your professional development journey or for refreshing skills you haven’t had the chance to practice while in law school. Zief Law Library is rooting for you!