Anna Gotfryd ’16

Judicial Law Clerk, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

University of Illinois clerkship counselor, Jolynn Caroline, and my assigned career counselor, Rebecca Szajna, were both incredible in helping me polish my cover letters, resume, and prepare for interviews by conducting mock interviews with me.

Career Services will mail your first 100 applications for free, which is awesome. I also reached beyond Career Services: Ellen Rund of the legal externship program was able to connect me with a former clerk, as well as current and past judicial externs, who provided me with first-hand accounts of working in chambers.

Professors – those who wrote me letters of recommendation, connected me with clerks, conducted mock interviews with me, and simply spoke with me offering their advice and encouragement (including our Dean) – were absolutely crucial in the process. Professor Robin Fretwell Wilson, for whom I was a Research Assistant, was eager to call on my behalf, without even asking her to do so, and for that I am very grateful. Finally, I spoke with some of my dearest and most trusted friends who are currently clerking throughout the country, seeking their candid advice.