Mentors light the way for USC Law students

USC Law is launching a new mentor program designed to provide students with more direct interaction with alumni mentors in specific fields of law.

Called the Law Alumni Mentor Program — LAMP — it ultimately will provide students with access to a database of alumni who have agreed to serve as mentors to students interested in learning about their fields of practice and in networking with legal professionals. USC Law’s Career Services Office and the Office of Development and Graduate Relations are working together to develop the program, which was first announced during the annual USC Law Mentor Lunch this spring.

“We talk about the USC Law alumni network as this amazing resource for students, and while our graduates have always been more than willing to help mentor and advise students, we have never set up a formal, ongoing way for them to do so,” says Melissa Balaban, assistant dean of career services. “This program will give students easy access to a whole slate of alumni who have actively agreed to serve as mentors. It also gives graduates a great opportunity to interact with — and be impressed by — our students.”

The Office of Development and Graduate Relations is in the process of promoting the program to alumni and gathering information from graduates who are willing to participate. Eventually, a searchable, online database will be developed that will allow students to search the list of participating graduates and their contact information by keyword. Until then, students seeking connections with USC alumni may contact the Career Services Office for lists of USC Law graduates practicing in particular fields or in specific firms.

“We’re hearing from both students and graduates that they want more opportunities to interact,” says Dean Balaban. “We hope this program will provide those opportunities while also offering valuable assistance to students in their career decisions and job searches.”