André Bacchus, director of professional development at Heenan Blaikie LLP in Toronto, says articling students shouldn't take it personally if they don't get hired back.

So you didn’t get hired back. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, many others are in the same position, which is why it’s time to swallow that rejection pill and learn a new craft — that of the job hunt.

Sarah Armstrong, a member of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP’s student development committee, says switching to a pass/fail system wouldn't change much for recruitment.

The University of Toronto Faculty of Law is considering changing its grading system. Rather than receive an A, B, or C letter grade, students would be given a high honours, honours, pass, low pass, or fail rating.

André Bacchus counsels students to start planning their careers ASAP.

With the job market the way it is today, law students are advised to start planning their careers earlier than ever before. What used to be the articling-position rush, has now become the second-year summer position rush. What used to be considered a summer to relax between first and second year, has turned into an opportunity during which many are trying to distinguish themselves from their peers.

What am I worth? It’s a tough question — one that is better answered by a sober assessment of your skills rather than the sentimental opinion of your mother. Although the prospect of equating your value with money seems icky, it is a calculation most of us will have to make at some point in our careers. When you also factor in our general malaise for talking about money, the conversation can become as crawl-out-of-your-skin uncomfortable as watching actors become recording artists. And negotiating your salary is not the kind of thing you want to walk into with distaste and fear. If you can’t talk about money, chances are you won’t be making lots of it.

 

Part of growing up is realizing that you are not good at everything — heartbreaking as it is. When this self-awareness mingles with time constraints and a pinch of disdain for the do-it-yourself thing, we slowly begin to outsource our lives. 

 

For many law firm associates, at least a few moments of the distracted thought which rounds off their billables is spent considering whether they are at the right firm. 

 

It is among society’s greatest paradoxes. It being perhaps the most natural and common act yet one that is still regarded with great taboo and secrecy. Proximity, familiarity, and convenience being the driving forces  —  it’s bound to happen.