The Advantages and Benefits of Public Service Work

The Advantages and Benefits of Public Service WorkThe Advantages and Benefits of Public Service WorkAlthough there is a huge gap between private sector and public interest salaries, public interest jobs offer a number of key advantages over private practice. Below are six advantages of public service work. Furthering the Public Good A primary reason lawyers and others undertakepublic interestorpro bonowork is to further the public good. Helping underserved people, groups, and causes can provide a feeling of personal satisfaction and achievement that you might not gain defending large corporations in private practice. Public interest work can allow you to achieve greater goals beyond earning a paycheck, such as working to effect societal change, supporting an important public cause, or providing equal access to justice for needy individuals and organizations. In fact, the lowest-paid lawyers (typically those doing public interest work) report the highest levels of happiness. Publi c interest and pro bono work also provide the opportunity to become involved in your local community by performing public service activities of a legal and non-legal nature. For students, it is sometimes easier to findinternshipswith public interest employers than with law firms and for-profit organizations, who tend to hire on a very limited basis for summer jobs. And its sometimes possible to get funding for your public interest summer job from your law school or from a nationwide public interest organization, such as Equal Justice Works. Valuable Work Experience Law students, new lawyers, paralegals, and other legal professionals can gain valuable work experience through internships in the public interest sector or via pro bono work in law school. Such experience is important at a time when jobs are scarce many employers do not have the time or resources to train new attorneys and legal personnel. Since small firms want to hire candidates who can hit the ground running, and l arge firms often funnel substantive legal work to experienced associates, working in the public interest sector can help you gain the work experience you need. Public interest work is a great stepping stone to private practice and employers appreciate a commitment to public service. Better Work-Life Balance Public interest jobs typically offer a betterwork-life balancethan law firm jobs. 9-to-5 work days, flexible schedules and part-time opportunities are common in the public interest sector. Unlike private practice, individuals employed in non-profits, the government, and legal service organizations are not under pressure to meet high billable hour quotas, gain face-time with partners, or spend free time on client development activities. The work culture is often more relaxed because the focus is on service rather than profit. Exposure to Multiple Practice Areas When you join a law firm, you are typically assigned to a specific practice group. However, public service and pr o bono work can help new grads explore avariety of practice areaswhile performing valuable work. At a legal service organization, for example, you might assist with a variety of cases ranging from landlord/tenantand zuzug issues to child custody and civil rights. You will gain valuable insight and useful knowledge in the procedural and substantive issues surrounding many areas of law. Mentoring and Networking Opportunities If you are a student or new graduate, public interest and pro bono work can also help you gain mentors, networking contacts, and job references. While law firms and corporations are often focused on the bottom line, public interest venues are less focused on profit. Therefore, they may offer more time to develop mentoring relationships and contacts. And taking on a pro bono project organized by the local bar association can be a great way to meet practicing attorneys in areas of particular interest since they often volunteer to serve as mentors to newer volunt eers. Recognition and Honors Lawyers have an ethical obligation to provide public service and give back to the community. This duty also extends to some other legal professionals, such as paralegals. Many law firms and legal organizations recognize and honor lawyers and legal professionals who have demonstrated leadership in their community by engaging in public service and pro bono activities. Hiring managers also appreciate a commitment to pro bono and public service work. Therefore, this font of work experience can be a great resume-booster.