Career Development Office
The programs offered by the Faculty of Law prepare students for a wide array of careers in the practice of law and related fields. To enable its graduates to take full advantage of opportunities available to them, the Faculty provides career counselling through its Career Development Office (CDO). With the assistance of a career advisor and an Associate, the Director of the Office—a faculty graduate and lawyer with experience in private practice in Toronto and Montreal and in the provincial public sector—oversees all career development activities, which include assisting students with their search for summer employment and articling positions.
Career development communications, activities, and programs also provide students with information about the various types of career opportunities open to them after graduation.
The CDO also assists employers with their search for candidates by giving them access to myFuture, where they can post positions for free, by organizing on-campus interviews, and by inviting employers to various events.
Career Days for Law Students
The Career Development Office (CDO; mcgill.ca/cdo) organizes six career days annually: one exploring the different career paths a law degree leads to, one for public interest employers from all over the country, one for Ottawa employers, one for Montreal employers, one for Toronto employers, and one for U.S. employers. Several legal employers visit the Faculty of Law to speak to students about the opportunities available at their law firm or government organization. During Public Interest Career Day, which is held in November, guest speakers and panelists discuss opportunities for law graduates in various public interest fields.
On-Campus Recruitment for the Faculty of Law
The Career Development Office (CDO; mcgill.ca/cdo) coordinates various recruitment processes throughout the year. Four of these involve On-Campus Interviews (OCIs): one for U.S. employers (August), one for Vancouver and Calgary employers (September), one for Toronto employers (October), and one for Ottawa employers (January). Students can also take part in organized recruitment processes for other major cities in Canada.
Montreal recruitment is called Course aux stages. During this recruitment period, local firms conduct interviews at their offices. The CDO provides step-by-step support to participants.
Resource Centre of the Faculty of Law CDO
The Resource Centre of the Career Development Office (CDO) houses publications related to job search strategies, diversity, employer types, and much more! The CDO also maintains a website full of publications, information, and resources. Students regularly use the online job search tool myFuture to research employment opportunities in the legal sector and other fields.
Further information is available on the CDO website and the myFuture tool.
Faculty of Law Training Programs and Publications
The Career Development Office (CDO; mcgill.ca/cdo) provides materials and organizes seminars on how to pursue a career in law and related areas. Individual counselling is provided to assist students in their search for employment. Special newsletters for participants of various organized recruitment processes provide step-by-step tips, reminders, and resources. Students can also request a mock interview to prepare for a meeting with a potential employer.
Furthermore, the CDO is pleased to offer several panel discussions and networking events throughout the year at which practitioners and alumni discuss their area of specialization with students. Through these events and others, the CDO supports and promotes student employment opportunities in Quebec, elsewhere in Canada, and abroad.
The CDO publishes various guides to assist students with their preparations for life beyond the Faculty of Law.