Odds are, you probably will
The Toronto Summer 2023 1L recruit is in full swing with applications due just a little over a week ago; students now anxiously wait for call day in early February. For those that submitted applications, congrats on getting your materials in! Having your resume updated and a cover letter template created will be very useful for future recruit cycles. But, unfortunately, the majority of you will not get an offer on February 23. And that’s completely okay.
According to Ultra Vires‘ Toronto Summer 2022 1L recruitment results, only approximately 13 percent of U of T Law students secured positions through the recruit. Although not all students participated, this still demonstrates the vast majority (188 students!) from the Faculty did not find summer work through the recruit. The 2022 recruit was also a bit of an anomaly; in previous years, firms hired significantly fewer students overall.
I don’t mean to scare you or dissuade you from trying. But I think it’s important to set reasonable expectations so that you aren’t (totally) disappointed by the results. So, what do you do if you don’t receive an offer (or even an interview) this recruit cycle?
First, don’t panic. Every upper year will tell you that it all works out in the end. This seems like an empty platitude. It’s not. 87 percent of students did not secure a 1L position through the Toronto Summer 2022 1L recruit, yet over 40 percent of the same class secured positions from the subsequent Toronto Summer 2023 2L recruit. These students also secured positions in New York, in other Canadian cities, like Calgary and Vancouver, and in Toronto outside of the formal recruits. Striking out on the 1L recruit has no bearing on your future career success.
Once you let yourself feel the disappointment (I suggest getting ice cream with your bestie), it’s time to explore alternatives. The Faculty-run Law School Summer Employment Program (LSSEP) is a good place to start. Applications for the LSSEP are due shortly after Call Day, on Monday, February 6 at noon. With over 90 paid positions available, spanning from legal clinics to public interest fellowships, there is likely something that piques your interest.
Research positions are also generally available outside of the LSSEP. If you’re interested in a particular practice area or faculty member’s work, it doesn’t hurt to reach out and see if they’re taking students for the summer. Chances are, even if they can’t offer you full-time work, there will be some opportunity available. While spending your summer researching at Bora Laskin might not seem like the most glamorous thing, the positions are generally more relaxed than their firm counterparts, so you can, you know, actually enjoy your summer. Research positions are also valuable if you’re interested in clerking or another position that requires a reference letter from a professor.
One thing I wish I knew earlier as a 1L student was that you shouldn’t limit yourself to what the Faculty offers. Don’t get me wrong; the Faculty does a great job creating positions specifically for 1L students. The Career Development Office (CDO) is also great at finding and compiling various job postings on UTLC, including those from outside the Faculty. But even still, I encourage you to do your own research. There are positions the CDO may miss or that might not be a traditional “legal” position but nonetheless matches your skillset. LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and even Twitter are filled with opportunities for law students.
You can even make positions for yourself! Only very few firms participate in the 1L recruit. Many smaller or boutique firms may still be willing to hire a 1L student even if they haven’t posted it. Through networking, you could see if there are any opportunities available for 1Ls. At the least, you’ll make a good connection that can come in handy during future recruit cycles. Another thing that you can do, and which has worked out well for me, is ask to apply to positions for which you don’t fit the full criteria. As long as you have the necessary skill set, you can sometimes convince the hiring manager to at least consider your application. For example, if you’re interested in a position hosted by a different law school, reach out and see if they would be willing to take a U of T Law student.
I know this can seem overwhelming. You don’t have to do all—or any—of this. The biggest takeaway from this article is not to worry. Things can and will fall into place. Even if you don’t act immediately, there will be many job postings leading up to and after exams. If you want a job for your 1L summer, there will be plenty of opportunities outside of the 1L recruit.
This article might seem a little premature considering that Call Day hasn’t even happened. Obviously you should work hard and try your best if you get interviews. You could very well be part of that lucky 13 percent. But for those of you who are waiting at 9am on February 3 for a call that never comes, know that you are definitely not alone. For better or worse, there are many more recruitment cycles during your law school tenure. You will have a good 1L summer no matter what you do. Just take it one step at a time.
Mental Health Resources:
- Supporting a student in distress: studentlife.utoronto.ca/service/faculty-support-for-responding-to-distressed-students/
- U of T MySSP is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via telephone, video, or chat in multiple languages
Students can contact:
- The Health and Wellness Centre (M–F, 9am to 4:30pm): 416-978-8030, or visit the Student Mental Health Portal online
- CAMH 24/7 Psychiatric Emergency Department: 1051 Queen St. W, or call 416-535-8501
- Talk Suicide Canada helpline: 1-833-456-4566
- See also: ontario.cmha.ca/documents/are-you-in-crisis/; camh.ca/en/suicide-prevention/get-help
Editor’s Note: Sabrina Macklai is a student who “failed” the Toronto Summer 2021 1L recruit. She ended up working for a clinic in an area of law she loved during her 1L summer and went on to work for a full-service New York firm during her 2L summer. It all works out.
