Externships provide real world practical legal experience for those students ready to commit their time outside the walls of a classroom while still earning class credit. Applications are being accepted for the Externship program until October 9, 2009.

Professor Wendy Hensel (pictured), a professor supervising the externship program, says one benefit of working in the externship program is "to get some work experience and create depth on your resume." Professor Hensel also notes an externship may "make up for some of the paying positions that might not be out there for you" and adds that an externship provides an invaluable opportunity to "try out a field of law that you think you are interested in but are not sure."

An externship consists of a minimum of 10 hours of on-site, during which you are treated as a new lawyer in the office. Program requirements stipulate that only 10 percent of the work assigned can be non-law related. The externship program also requires work summary information every two weeks along with a mid-semester review and a final evaluation at the end of the semester.

Students interested in participating in the program must have a 73 grade average and must be willing to commit to the program. Once an offer is accepted, a student must complete the externship. Students should also be aware that they may only participate in two externships (or one externship that spans two semesters). The yearlong externship placements occur in the fall semester. In January, applications will be available for summer externships, which require a commitment of 20 hours a week for seven weeks.

The Externship Office is located on the third floor of the Urban Life Building in room 326. For more information stop by the office, contact Sarita James at sarita@gsu.edu or go to http://law.gsu.edu/externships.

~ Cindi Yarbrough, Georgia State Law student