First In-Person Spring 2023 Externship Fair in Three Years a Great Success
More than 500 students turned out to meet with over 120 employers at Washington College of Law’s annual Externship Fair, the first in-person fair since 2020.
Designed to provide students the opportunity to explore a wide variety of practice areas, the Externship Fair allows students to informally interview for internships and externships, and network with more than 200 attorneys, many of whom are WCL graduates.
“Over the years, many students have found legal internships and externships through this fair,” said Avis Sanders, director of the Externship Program. “We had to come up with all sorts of innovations to make sure we could have a safe, spaced, in-person event and it was terrific. They worked so well, I am sure we will be using these new protocols moving forward.”
Each year, the Externship Program places over 250 students in unpaid externships with government agencies, courts, not-for-profit organizations and law firms engaged in pro bono work as well as paid and unpaid corporate placements. Students may extern full-time during the summer semester and can extern up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters.
“Our students benefit so much from the relationships WCL’s Externship Office cultivates with public interest and public service employers,” said Daniela Kraiem, assistant dean, Office of Career and Professional Development. “So many students came up to me at the event, thrilled to have had an opportunity to speak with lawyers in such a wide array of practice areas. These connections, especially those forged with alumni who come back to represent their employers, serve our students well for years to come!”
“Employers from prestigious or notable organizations in the DMV seemed both willing and excited to get to know and hire WCL students,” said Caitlyn Olson ’25. “I had conversations with dozens of employers who sparked my interest in careers I would have never before considered. It was also great practice networking and conversing with professionals in the field. I walked away from the Externship Fair feeling energized to apply to positions and encouraged by the connections I made.”