The rise of the internet and social media has all but done away with traditional means of networking and job searching.
The Dedman School of Law recognized that it needed to add newer and more modern programs and resources to supplement the services its offices have provided students for years.
Dedman’s goal is to teach students how to better utilize tools they are already familiar with using in their every day life- including Facebook and Twitter.
However, the most notable addition to Dedman’s services is Lawcountability, JD- a brand new online platform created by nationally recognized speaker, and author of the book “The Opportunity Maker,” Ari Kaplan.
Kaplan has teamed up with Dedman to make Lawcountability, JD available to all current students and recent graduates.
“The program is designed to help them improve their networking skills, raise their profiles and learn effective ways to connect with potential employers,” Director of Office and Career Services Stephen Yeager said.
Lawcountability, JD has students set goals for themselves and also sends the reminders to help them complete their goals.
“In my experience people tend to have really good ideas, but then tend to not follow through,” Kaplan said. “So what Lawcountability, JD does is make students accountable for their goals by rewarding them with points.”
The program uses a game-like point system that measures the activity of the student and compares it to their peers.
Lawcountability, JD uses, 10-minute webinars that cover a wide range of topics such as Cultivating Your Personal Brand, Investing in Informational Interviews, Mastering the Mechanics of Marketing, Getting Out of the Classroom to Get Into the Profession, and Leveraging LinkedIn.
The Dedman School of Law has also subscribed to InterviewStream, which is an online program that simulates job and legal interviews.
Students have 24/7 access to InterviewStream and can schedule mock interviews anytime on laptops, tablets or smart phones.
“The best way to become better at legal interviewing is to practice, practice, and practice,” Yeager said. “Some students have discovered by using InterviewStream, much to their surprise, that they used words like “um”, “like”, and “you know” throughout their interviews. Students learn that it’s fine to pause and think before they speak instead of filling the space with filler words.”
Yeager also said that the Law School is preparing to launch 24/7 Counseling- Tips on Demand.
“Over the years, our office has offered some fantastic programs on a wide-variety of career-related topics,” Yeager said. “We videotaped most of these programs to make them available to students in our evening program who may not have been able to attend due to their work schedules.”
The Law School has made short five to 10 minute videos of it best programs and made them available on their student website.
“We pride ourselves on the one-on-one career and professional development counseling that our office provides students, and I think that is one thing that sets SMU Dedman Law apart from other law schools,” Yeager said. “But by being innovative and relying on new technology, I believe we are only improving the services that we provide students.”
