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CAREER SERVICES PROFILE
Elizabeth A. Ellis: Assistant Dean and Director of Law Career Services, DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, IL [By Judith Earley] Elizabeth Ellis is Assistant Dean and Director of Law Career Services at DePaul University College of Law in Chicago. The Valparaiso University School of Law graduate has been an attorney for 10 years.
Ellis decided to go into law during her junior
as valuable as anything the students learn in a
Two of the greatest career influences in Ellis’
year of college. “I attended the University of the
substantive curriculum course. “Students need
life were Gail Peshel from the University of
Americas in Puebla, Mexico, and took a course
to better understand the role career services
Notre Dame Law School and Susan Gainen
which discussed the Mexican legal system,”
plays in their job search. Some students make
from the University of Minnesota Law
said Ellis. “I was fascinated by the differences
the mistake of viewing the career services
School. “Both Gail and Susan have provided
between the American and Mexican legal
office as merely an office that houses job
me encouragement through the years and
systems and wanted to learn more, with the
postings and offers fall and spring campus-
guidance on how to handle matters with which
goal of practicing international corporate law
interviewing programs and job fairs,” said Ellis.
I was unfamiliar. They have shared their years of experience with me—what’s worked and
someday.” “Career services offices are a resource
what hasn’t—and this wisdom has helped me
Her plans changed after a second visit to
provided to students to assist them in their
formulate program and resource offerings for
Mexico. “I clerked at a small law firm in Mexico
career development and strategy. To effectively
students at DePaul,” said Ellis.
City my first summer during law school and
make use of all the career services office has
at a small law firm in Indianapolis my second
to offer, students should attend the various
For Ellis, two of the most important issues
summer,” said Ellis. “After graduation, I
programs offered, make the time to network
facing the legal community are balancing work
worked at Katten Muchin Zavis for two years
with the featured alumni program speakers,
and private life and the increasing diversity
and then at Miller Shakman Hamilton Kurtzon
meet with their career counselor at least once
among attorneys within the field. Her advice
& Schlifke for one year before finally joining
a semester just to check in, and utilize online
to law students is to be proactive in their job
DePaul.” She then made the transition into
and library resources offered by the office.”
searches and not rely solely on the school’s interviewing programs and job postings. “Seek
academia after coming upon the opportunity for her current position through networking
Ellis said that she loves her current position
out opportunities in the hidden job market.
with a former BAR/BRI employee. Ellis served
because it enables her to work with students,
Become active members in your local bar
as a student BAR/BRI representative at
alumni, faculty, staff, and employers and to
associations, and talk with other professionals
Valparaiso. BAR/BRI is a company that offers
develop working relationships with all of them.
in your field of interest. Develop a network.
the most widely used bar exam preparation
“I also love the variety that comes with the job
Though the profession is large, we are a close-
course in the country.
on a daily basis,” said Ellis.
knit community; and many career opportunities
Ellis said that she really enjoys working closely
According to Ellis, career services offices
with students and witnessing first-hand their
across the nation receive a lot of negative press
development from timid and uncertain first-
from students and alumni alike. Sometimes
A Chicago native, Ellis returned home after
years into confident and successful graduates.
it can be a challenge to maintain enthusiasm
attending college and law school in Indiana.
“I also enjoy helping them find those
and energy for the services and programs they
She is proud to be the first and only attorney in
opportunities that truly make them happy,”
promote, especially when they feel their efforts
her family. Her hobbies and interests include
said Ellis.
aren’t appreciated. “However,” Ellis added,
reading, running, watching and playing sports,
“no matter how many negative comments
traveling, wine tasting, and spending time with
According to Ellis, career service counselors
you may hear, whatever impact they might
friends and family.
are like instructors teaching job-search
have subsides when you hear even one simple
strategies and networking skills, which are just
‘Thank you. I really appreciate your help.’”
are realized, as in my case, through internal
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referrals,” said Ellis.
continued on back
CAREER SERVICES PROFILE
ON THE NET University of Notre Dame Law School www.nd.edu/~ndlaw University of Minnesota Law School www.law.umn.edu DePaul University College of Law www.law.depaul.edu
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