Every law student who’s worked closely with the Career Services Office knows how important the law school’s online portal is. From scheduling counseling appointments, to registering for job fairs, to looking through the job bank … all the most important aspects of one’s job search rely on that all-important piece of software.
After years of making do with a quirky, hard-to-use, off-the-shelf product, Texas Law’s job seekers finally have a customized, streamlined solution.
The Career Services Office has introduced TEX—or “Texas Employment Connections”— a software management platform that coordinates all aspects of the student-CSO connection and provides job bank access to alumni and employers.
CSO identified TEX as a more streamlined and effective tool for students viewing job opportunities than the previously used software. TEX assists students gathering application materials, scheduling interviews and counseling appointments, viewing and RSVPing to events, and communicating with the CSO and potential employers. After the system was piloted for spring interviews last March, returning law students started using TEX at the start of the academic year in August; as of Nov. 1, 1Ls have access too.
“We are continually working to ensure the services we offer are forward-thinking and student-centered,” says Assistant Dean for Career Services Angélica Salinas Evans, ’95. “We are an early adopter of this platform, and we customized it for Texas Law.”
TEX is more user-friendly than the previous software for all functions, particularly on the student side. For instance, the “swap” feature allows for interviews to be immediately rebooked if, for instance, a conflict is created by the rescheduling of a class. Another advantage over the previously used software is the availability of a mobile interface.
“TEX provides an enhanced and modern mobile-enabled user experience for our students,” says Evans. “It allows them to easily accomplish their career-related tasks.”
“TEX provides an enhanced and modern mobile-enabled user experience for our students.”
Angélica Salinas Evans ’95, assistant dean for career services
CSO manages a robust job bank that includes both summer internships and postgraduate positions from across the country. Students can search for positions that best match their interests and strengths, then learn more about the application process and interview opportunities. The job bank is open to all alumni as well. At most given times, the job bank includes 500-600 listings … nearly double the typical size of a Texas Law graduating class. All types of positions in the legal field are represented—large firms, government, smaller firms, corporations, public interest organizations.
“One thing I really like about the new system is that it makes the interview process very easy to navigate,” says 2L D’Andre Watson. “Regardless of the outcome of an interview, it is easy to stay in contact with a potential employer because all the contact information is in one place.”
On the back end, scheduling and student communications are clearer for staff, requiring less administrative time to sync schedules and coordinate interviews. The CSO team also can schedule student emails in advance, which improves efficiency. In addition, required reporting to various agencies about the status of graduates will be streamlined.
Law firms and corporations can post any paid job opening in TEX at no cost, as can public entities with paid, stipend-based, or volunteer positions. Employers can list a position that meets the policy listed on the CSO homepage and start a post.
Enhanced Features Coming Soon
Additional features will be rolled out in future months. While existing alumni job data was transferred into the new system, the Outcome Data Analytics (ODA) will grow as employment data is collected from current Texas Law classes. The job-related data tracks the type of positions graduates are attaining, locations, and salaries. Another exciting feature will provide useful preparatory information to students prior to interviews, thanks to input from classmates. After an interview (or after accepting a position), students can reflect on their experience … by sharing information about the process or by relaying a challenging question.
“The platform keeps students connected to the legal community as we prepare to begin our careers,” sums up Watson.