A company called BCG Attorney Search has put together a self-assessment test that helps you evaluate what you like and don't like about where you work. It's specifically targeted toward people who work at law firms, but I think the survey would work for almost any type of employer. Because BCG is an attorney-placement firm, it's likely to suggest (as it did for me) that you consider a lateral move to another firm and contact BCG to help you with your job search.
Given all those disclaimers, it's a pretty interesting self-evaluation, and of course it's always fun to take quizzes. Here's the link:
http://bcgsearch.com/career_audit_tool.php
Friday, July 27, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Congrats Amanda and Christine!
Congratulations to Pals co-vice-presidents Amanda Carmany-Rampey and Christine Porter! Amanda wrote on to Law Review and Christine wrote on to Shidler. Nice work!
p.s. Please let me know if I've missed any other parents on the journals or MCHB.
p.s. Please let me know if I've missed any other parents on the journals or MCHB.
Childcare at the UW
This is a Q&A by a past president of PALS:
Question: Are there campus childcare centers?
Answer: There are two independently operated childcare centers for UW students located near the University. Both centers are accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC). There is a waiting list, so parents are encouraged to contact the centers very early. For more information: http://depts.washington.edu/ovpsa/childcare/onsite.html
Question: Where else can I go for childcare information?
Answer: Try the UW main campus Work/Life Office. They maintain information on community-based childcare, can give referrals and run a nanny share network. http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/benefits/worklife/index.html
Question: Are there lactation stations on campus that I can use?
Answer: Yes, there are several lactation stations across campus that provide privacy for pumping and have hospital-quality, electric double pumps available for use. Call (206) 548-4628 for information and a brief orientation. The list of lactation stations is here: http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/benefits/worklife/childcare/lactation-stations.html
Question: What is the remote learning room?
Answer: The remote learning room (the “Claire Thomas Room”) is room 219 in Gates Hall and is a limited-access space for law students with young children. The current policy states, “Students seeking access are directed to speak with the Academic Services staff on the 3d floor. The Academic Services staff will ask you to identify the times that you anticipate using the remote learning room. Your Husky card will then be programmed to give you access as approved; the level of access can be adjusted to suit the circumstances. Access will be designated on a quarterly basis, or on an emergency basis. An emergency use might include when a child is sick and can’t go to day care. [Please note however that if a child is too sick for day care we will be relying on the parent’s judgment as to whether the child’s presence might place other infants at risk. Sometimes the best option is to ask Academic Services if the class can be taped.] Some parents may only need access once a week, while others who are pumping milk may need daily access to Room 219. Academic Services will work with each student to address their individual needs. For both privacy and security reasons access to the room is restricted to approved users. This area is intended especially for nursing mothers, but it will accommodate parents who need a place to change diapers, feed babies, or attend to the myriad of chores that face newer parents.”
Question: What features does the remote learning room have?
Answer: The remote learning room has a number of features, including a sink, small refrigerator, microwave, and soft furniture. There are two private rooms designed for lactation purposes. There are four workstations that permit parents with children to listen to and/or watch sessions in the majority of the Gates Hall classrooms. Contact Academic Services for access and information.
Question: Are there campus childcare centers?
Answer: There are two independently operated childcare centers for UW students located near the University. Both centers are accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC). There is a waiting list, so parents are encouraged to contact the centers very early. For more information: http://depts.washington.edu/ovpsa/childcare/onsite.html
Question: Where else can I go for childcare information?
Answer: Try the UW main campus Work/Life Office. They maintain information on community-based childcare, can give referrals and run a nanny share network. http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/benefits/worklife/index.html
Question: Are there lactation stations on campus that I can use?
Answer: Yes, there are several lactation stations across campus that provide privacy for pumping and have hospital-quality, electric double pumps available for use. Call (206) 548-4628 for information and a brief orientation. The list of lactation stations is here: http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/benefits/worklife/childcare/lactation-stations.html
Question: What is the remote learning room?
Answer: The remote learning room (the “Claire Thomas Room”) is room 219 in Gates Hall and is a limited-access space for law students with young children. The current policy states, “Students seeking access are directed to speak with the Academic Services staff on the 3d floor. The Academic Services staff will ask you to identify the times that you anticipate using the remote learning room. Your Husky card will then be programmed to give you access as approved; the level of access can be adjusted to suit the circumstances. Access will be designated on a quarterly basis, or on an emergency basis. An emergency use might include when a child is sick and can’t go to day care. [Please note however that if a child is too sick for day care we will be relying on the parent’s judgment as to whether the child’s presence might place other infants at risk. Sometimes the best option is to ask Academic Services if the class can be taped.] Some parents may only need access once a week, while others who are pumping milk may need daily access to Room 219. Academic Services will work with each student to address their individual needs. For both privacy and security reasons access to the room is restricted to approved users. This area is intended especially for nursing mothers, but it will accommodate parents who need a place to change diapers, feed babies, or attend to the myriad of chores that face newer parents.”
Question: What features does the remote learning room have?
Answer: The remote learning room has a number of features, including a sink, small refrigerator, microwave, and soft furniture. There are two private rooms designed for lactation purposes. There are four workstations that permit parents with children to listen to and/or watch sessions in the majority of the Gates Hall classrooms. Contact Academic Services for access and information.
Tips from past law student/parents
PALS members each year have put together a list of tips for incoming 1Ls. We've got the document posted at another site here.
Some top tips:
Keep school at school.
Don't forget your partner.
Have confidence in yourself.
B=JD.
Some top tips:
Keep school at school.
Don't forget your partner.
Have confidence in yourself.
B=JD.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Our favorite events
PALS sponsors or co-sponsors three key events each year.
Fall Festival: During fall quarter, we co-sponsor and help organize the Fall Festival. This event welcomes parents and children from the law school and beyond. Students, faculty and staff all are encouraged to bring their children to an afternoon event with costumes, food, an inflatable bouncer castle, and booths sponsored by the law school's most active organizations. Fall Festival is a great way for students to introduce their children to friends, and for children, spouses and partners to see where their parents spend all their time. Those of us who have brought children to the Fall Festival have found that our kids talk about it all year long and feel more comfortable in their understanding of where we go during the day.
Winter clothing drive: We collect new and used clothing, toys and equipment, as well as unperishable food and diapers, to distribute to Childhaven, a Seattle agency that provides daycare and therapy for abused and drug-addicted children aged birth-5 years. Our decision to help Childhaven grew out of the feeling that we are incredibly lucky to have the opportunities we have, and we would like to share our good fortune with others.
Spring work-life balance panel: We invite parent-lawyers in different professional situations to come to the UW to talk about their experiences and the choices they've made in balancing career and family. This is an issue that appeals to many, and it tends to draw more than 100 students every year.
In addition, PALS participates in orientation activities and other law school activities throughout the year. We try to hold monthly casual get-togethers at a coffee shop near the law school, as well as spring sessions on advice for picking classes for the next year.
Fall Festival: During fall quarter, we co-sponsor and help organize the Fall Festival. This event welcomes parents and children from the law school and beyond. Students, faculty and staff all are encouraged to bring their children to an afternoon event with costumes, food, an inflatable bouncer castle, and booths sponsored by the law school's most active organizations. Fall Festival is a great way for students to introduce their children to friends, and for children, spouses and partners to see where their parents spend all their time. Those of us who have brought children to the Fall Festival have found that our kids talk about it all year long and feel more comfortable in their understanding of where we go during the day.
Winter clothing drive: We collect new and used clothing, toys and equipment, as well as unperishable food and diapers, to distribute to Childhaven, a Seattle agency that provides daycare and therapy for abused and drug-addicted children aged birth-5 years. Our decision to help Childhaven grew out of the feeling that we are incredibly lucky to have the opportunities we have, and we would like to share our good fortune with others.
Spring work-life balance panel: We invite parent-lawyers in different professional situations to come to the UW to talk about their experiences and the choices they've made in balancing career and family. This is an issue that appeals to many, and it tends to draw more than 100 students every year.
In addition, PALS participates in orientation activities and other law school activities throughout the year. We try to hold monthly casual get-togethers at a coffee shop near the law school, as well as spring sessions on advice for picking classes for the next year.
Our Mission Statement
We recognize the unique demands that students with children face in balancing school, work and family life. We welcome children of law students into the law school community with open arms and strive to create an environment in which students and their children can grow and learn together. Our student-run organization aims to share information, advocate for resources and provide personal support to law students with children. Specifically we will: Provide a casual forum for networking about shared parenting experiences; Sponsor fun events for children and their parents; Discuss career strategies for students with children; Disseminate information on school policies and community resources; Serve as an advocate within the school for students with children.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Welcome to PalsBlog
This is the blog for Parents Attending Law School, a student group at the University of Washington. Stay tuned for updates....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
