Private Message
Facebook
LinkedIn- Hold Public Office
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Already a member?
Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
Nathan Johnson is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Nathan Johnson and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
All Activity
TOP IDEA:
Alli Gerkman
Transitions, Testing and Transparency: Saving Our Future Lawyers - http://www.brazencareerist/2010/05/27/transitions-testing-and-transparen...
Nathan Johnson:
I'm with you and Howard. I've had a couple of books on my desk since my second year of law school about life after graduation. I have also had ...MoreI'm with you and Howard. I've had a couple of books on my desk since my second year of law school about life after graduation. I have also had conversations with fellow grads about hanging a shingle and preparation is almost always the biggest concern besides capital. A bad economy is one thing, but the lack of adequate education is an ever bigger can of worms.
We can all see the problem, and as you point out it's a high-stakes situation for all players. My biggest sticking point is price. If you're a student the WI State Bar waives CLE costs - why not extend this for unemployed recent grads? If anything, this isn't an extra cost for the State Bar, but an investment - right?
A united front is always good for pushing change, the problem is the divided interests of each party have failed to produce a front or an effective leader for change. Law school rankings have only added to the problem. Tier 1 schools rate of change is glacial at best, while lower tier schools are focusing on this problem. A notable example is UC Irvine. Dean Erwin Chermerinsky has challenged that they build the ideal law school for the 21st century. The ABA could impose stricter standards, but what should they be - mandatory clinics, revised legal writing courses, or better admissions (why do we take the LSAT)?
This is an important issue thanks for keeping the light on it.
104 weeks ago
We can all see the problem, and as you point out it's a high-stakes situation for all players. My biggest sticking point is price. If you're a student the WI State Bar waives CLE costs - why not extend this for unemployed recent grads? If anything, this isn't an extra cost for the State Bar, but an investment - right?
A united front is always good for pushing change, the problem is the divided interests of each party have failed to produce a front or an effective leader for change. Law school rankings have only added to the problem. Tier 1 schools rate of change is glacial at best, while lower tier schools are focusing on this problem. A notable example is UC Irvine. Dean Erwin Chermerinsky has challenged that they build the ideal law school for the 21st century. The ABA could impose stricter standards, but what should they be - mandatory clinics, revised legal writing courses, or better admissions (why do we take the LSAT)?
This is an important issue thanks for keeping the light on it.
104 weeks ago
Nathan Johnson
Are you a fan of The Wire? Check out this lecture by writer David Simon: http://wp.me/pGzcS-1G
90 weeks ago from Alternative Legal Careers and Legally Speaking
Nathan Johnson
Do you think law school needs reform? http://wp.me/pGzcS-37
90 weeks ago from Alternative Legal Careers and Legally Speaking
Rebecca Thorman recommended this
Nathan Johnson
Thinking about law school, know someone who is? http://wp.me/pGzcS-2w
90 weeks ago from Legally Speaking and Alternative Legal Careers
Nathan Johnson
I have been networking lately and try to send an email shortly after meeting a new contact. Often I get no response, I don't think the messages are being ignored, instead I think the email is getting picked up by a spam filter or lost in a flooded inbox. A phone message seems a bit forward, and a letter too formal. How do you follow up with networking contacts when you hit a wall?
Ryan Paugh
Do any of you Health Nuts out there drink Kombucha? I have one practically every day at work. My girlfriend buys them and tells me that they're good for me. The label says that it will restore balance and vitality into my life. I have no clue what that really means. I'm hoping someone can enlighten me.
It's funny that I drink this stuff every day and I don't even know what it does. It's expensive too!
100 weeks ago from Health and Nutrition and Fit Freaks
Nathan Johnson:
@ Ryan I think Kombucha is a great substitute to all of the other sugary beverage choices out there. The benefits are, as Sean points out, mostly ...More@ Ryan I think Kombucha is a great substitute to all of the other sugary beverage choices out there. The benefits are, as Sean points out, mostly for your GI tract and immune system. However, I would not say that they are useless, here is a good article on the benefits of fermented foods from one of the few sites I read and trust when it comes to healthy eating. http://www.marksdailyapple.com/fermented-foods-health/ there is also a great primer on how to make your own Kombucha in the comment thread if your looking to save a few $$.
96 weeks ago
96 weeks ago
Ryan Paugh:
Thanks you guys! I haven't been drinking Kombucha for the last couple weeks because the brand that I buy got pulled from the shelves for some ...MoreThanks you guys! I haven't been drinking Kombucha for the last couple weeks because the brand that I buy got pulled from the shelves for some reason. Anybody know about this?
@Nathan -- There's a course over at Whole Food on University that teaches you how to make Kombucha. I've been thinking about taking it.
95 weeks ago
@Nathan -- There's a course over at Whole Food on University that teaches you how to make Kombucha. I've been thinking about taking it.
95 weeks ago
Nathan Johnson
Is anyone out there a fan of the Primal Lifestyle? If you've never heard of it check Mark Sisson's blog: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/
Megan Atkinson
I've recently been appointed to my company's Sustainability Committee that was formed in attempt to make our multiple office locations "greener". My 'green team' and I have a long list of things that we can/will implement but our committee is more-or-less a $0 budget project. Because we're a team of engineers, we're struggling to find some creative fundraising ideas that can help us to get some of the low-cost items needed to get the ball rolling on our plans. Any ideas?
Mazarine:
In a nutshell, change what you're already buying.
Get some cardboard boxes from your local grocery store. Label them "Paper" "Plastic" and ...MoreIn a nutshell, change what you're already buying.
Get some cardboard boxes from your local grocery store. Label them "Paper" "Plastic" and "Glass." Recycling.
Get your cleaning company to use homemade green cleaning products. get them to buy Vinegar and Baking soda, and some empty spray bottles to clean the bathrooms with. End Toxins in your work environment.
Change your company buying behavior for company toilet paper, paper towels. Get 7th Generation or Bright Green recycled paper products.
See who buys the electricity every month for your company, and get them to donate for wind power as well.
Look at what you're already buying, and make your buying have a conscience.
Mazarine
http://wildwomanfundraising.com
104 weeks ago
Get some cardboard boxes from your local grocery store. Label them "Paper" "Plastic" and ...MoreIn a nutshell, change what you're already buying.
Get some cardboard boxes from your local grocery store. Label them "Paper" "Plastic" and "Glass." Recycling.
Get your cleaning company to use homemade green cleaning products. get them to buy Vinegar and Baking soda, and some empty spray bottles to clean the bathrooms with. End Toxins in your work environment.
Change your company buying behavior for company toilet paper, paper towels. Get 7th Generation or Bright Green recycled paper products.
See who buys the electricity every month for your company, and get them to donate for wind power as well.
Look at what you're already buying, and make your buying have a conscience.
Mazarine
http://wildwomanfundraising.com
104 weeks ago
Nathan Johnson:
Megan - I had a similar task a few years ago. Our focus was on recycling. We asked our waste management company what would help them the most and ...MoreMegan - I had a similar task a few years ago. Our focus was on recycling. We asked our waste management company what would help them the most and worked to implement their suggestions. They were more than happy to donate extra things like recycling containers, posters, etc.
Another team member found a green cleaning company that gave us a line of their products for free when we contacted them and told them we were trying to switch to green options. After we tried them we switched (Sorry I can't recall the brand).
Good luck, fight the good fight.
104 weeks ago
Another team member found a green cleaning company that gave us a line of their products for free when we contacted them and told them we were trying to switch to green options. After we tried them we switched (Sorry I can't recall the brand).
Good luck, fight the good fight.
104 weeks ago
Nathan Johnson
Congratulations to Barry Alvarez and former Packer Desmond Howard on their 2010 College Football Hall of Fame inductions.
104 weeks ago from Wisconsin Badgers and Cheeseheads (Wisconsinites)
Nathan Johnson
Does your firm/company have a social media policy? If so what is it?
Nathan Johnson:
Stephen- Many companies have social media policies to limit the online content their employees post. This is often a reflection of the ...MoreStephen- Many companies have social media policies to limit the online content their employees post. This is often a reflection of the misunderstanding that many of the "high ups" have about how people use social media. It can also be used to limit what employees are blogging about or posting online via Facebook or Twitter as a means protect the company's image.
In other professions, like the legal industry, employers may expect that employees maintain a professional image both in the workplace and in their social lives. For example posting photos of your last night out drinking, may not come across well for prospective clients who expect you to handle a high-dollar business deal.
104 weeks ago
In other professions, like the legal industry, employers may expect that employees maintain a professional image both in the workplace and in their social lives. For example posting photos of your last night out drinking, may not come across well for prospective clients who expect you to handle a high-dollar business deal.
104 weeks ago
:
Nathan-I was afraid the answer might be even worse, but yours was bad enough. You didn't say why you were posing the question, but insecurities ...MoreNathan-I was afraid the answer might be even worse, but yours was bad enough. You didn't say why you were posing the question, but insecurities notwithstanding, I'm glad to be self employed. I wish you a good income in an interesting occupation without being pushed around.
104 weeks ago
104 weeks ago
Nathan Johnson
With the way the job market is today is it a good idea to seek alternative legal employment and still expect to be able to come back to law someday? Many people tell me that if you leave getting back in is very difficult.
Jennifer Reck:
For what it's worth (and this comes from my own perspective of recently deciding to back off a bit over the next year to figure out what I really ...MoreFor what it's worth (and this comes from my own perspective of recently deciding to back off a bit over the next year to figure out what I really want to do when I grow up) - I think that if your heart is in the traditional legal world (law firms, etc) then you should put your all into it but if you really want an alternative career, then you should go for it and not worry if you can go back to law in the future. I suspect that career issues are just going to be tougher from now on and we're more likely to succeed if we are focusing on what we really want to be doing.
103 weeks ago
103 weeks ago
Alli Gerkman:
Just saw this in my feed today and thought it might interest you based on this thread: MoreJust saw this in my feed today and thought it might interest you based on this thread: http://www.law.com/jsp/law/careercenter/lawArticleCareerCenter.jsp?id=12...
99 weeks ago
99 weeks ago
Ryan Paugh
Are profiles the new resume? Check out this post that I found this morning on ERE: http://bit.ly/c16fQz
Do you agree with the author? In 20 years, could online profiles completely extinguish the need for a traditional resume? Could it maybe happen sooner?
104 weeks ago from ERE on Brazen, Recruiters Unite!, Human Resources, Resume Feedback and Corporate Talent Acquisition3 more
Tony Deblauwe:
More so we see the brief profile before seeing the full resume. Saves time, provides a better snapshot, and leads to go or no-go actions.
101 weeks ago
101 weeks ago
Danver Chandler:
*I'm late to respond to this post, but I will say that by not only submitting my resume and cover letter I purposefully created a professional ...More*I'm late to respond to this post, but I will say that by not only submitting my resume and cover letter I purposefully created a professional profile because I knew I would need to set myself apart in this economy and demonstrate key aspects of what I do. Needless to say, I have an interview and the individual found my website/profile enjoyable. If profiles do become such, people will have to work to create new ways to set themselves apart. Here's mine: mschandler.tk (for teaching).
101 weeks ago
101 weeks ago
Nathan Johnson
Hitching off the previous post... I just graduated from Wisconsin with my JD and the job search is dismal. What is particularly troubling is that the radar is absolutely silent. I have applied for half a dozen jobs in the last month and I have heard nothing (not even a rejection). This seems really strange to me; wondering if anyone else has or is having a similar experience. Bad economy or not, I would at least expect some notification.
Dr. Woody:
Natahn, I certainly don't have to tell you that law is a particulary tough field these days. If you are looking to practice have you thought about ...MoreNatahn, I certainly don't have to tell you that law is a particulary tough field these days. If you are looking to practice have you thought about smaller firms? Keep in mind, they are going to be far less sophisticated in their on-line systems. Just to echo Benita, I would pound the pavement, knock on doors, hit professional law group monthly gatherings, happy hours...
100 weeks ago
100 weeks ago
Nathan Johnson
I'm interested to hear what types of networking events were most effective for students/lawyers both during/after law school? My career services office says State Bar CLE events, but I beg to differ.
Alli Gerkman:
And I totally agree with Benita on YLD. It is a great way to get to know people and it leads to other leadership opportunities. We had a career ...MoreAnd I totally agree with Benita on YLD. It is a great way to get to know people and it leads to other leadership opportunities. We had a career program on Saturday and holiday parties were brought up as an upcoming opp, as well.
By the way, I do hear you on CLE programs being intimidating networking--I'd love to hear your thought on how they can be more inviting.
131 weeks ago
By the way, I do hear you on CLE programs being intimidating networking--I'd love to hear your thought on how they can be more inviting.
131 weeks ago
Andrew Staltari:
I am with Benita and Alli. CLE's can be intimidating if not un-nerving. More so if you went to a law school in another state and do not know ...MoreI am with Benita and Alli. CLE's can be intimidating if not un-nerving. More so if you went to a law school in another state and do not know anyone their. I went to this one CLE, and the vast majority of people only talked to their classmates. I was only able to network with other people from out-of-state. I suggest going to political functions or other such events. Remember, the profession is like a fraternity, so at other events other attorneys are more open to talking.
131 weeks ago
131 weeks ago
Nathan Johnson
What would you all say were the most effective types of events for networking both during and after law school?
Rebecca Vandiver
If anyone is interested, I just created a group to talk specifically about alternative legal careers. Or we can start a discussion here.
Nathan Johnson:
I would love to chat about it, my new blog is aimed at the topic specifically.
134 weeks ago
134 weeks ago
Rebecca Vandiver:
Nathan,
Excellent! I'm always looking for guest posts for my blog by the way: MoreNathan,
Excellent! I'm always looking for guest posts for my blog by the way: www.rebeccavandiver.com/blog if you are interested.
134 weeks ago
Excellent! I'm always looking for guest posts for my blog by the way: MoreNathan,
Excellent! I'm always looking for guest posts for my blog by the way: www.rebeccavandiver.com/blog if you are interested.
134 weeks ago
Nathan Johnson
It's a good example of the law, as a profession, struggling to find its place in social media. Its a good idea under it all but a bit tacky.
Following (8)
