Whether discussing the differences between the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Marshals Service, or private vs. government employment, PSLers have numerous opportunities to explore various career paths. We take advantage of one of the largest attorney-to-population ratios of any city in the country, due in part to the state and federal offices located in Columbus. Students can talk with and learn from professionals as part of our fireside chats, Lunch with a Lawyer series, large group panels, and guest presentation/debate nights.

Career Development

PSL Scholars receive assistance with resumes and cover letters for full time jobs, law/grad school applications and summer internships. While PSL Scholars are encouraged to pursue whatever post-college plans they may have, students interested in politics and legal issues are often naturally drawn to law school and related careers. In years 3 and 4, PSLers planning on going to law school have opportunities to visit law schools in the region, observe courses, meet with current law students, and attend a professor-taught mock law class. All students headed to a graduate, law, or other professional degree program receive support with identifying schools, completing applications, and graduate test preparation.

First year students in PSL all take the Scholar 1100 PSL Seminar and have the opportunity to take an additional clustered course with other PSLers in their first term, Political Science 2150. The community in the first year residence hall is further enhanced as floormates get to know each other in the classroom and in study groups as well as during PSL activities.

Each student is assigned an advisor in their chosen field (PSLers can be found in most of Ohio State’s undergraduate colleges). The PSL Program Manager collaborates with college advisors to help build the academic relationship with students from day one by tracking a student’s academic progress, providing support and resources, and preparing them for graduation and possible graduate or professional studies.

As important as our guests are, so too are the institutions they represent. Every spring a group of PSL students travels to a regional city as young professionals, not tourists. Issue briefings, private tours, and mock law classes are just a few of the hands-on experiences students enjoy.

Recent trip highlights include:

Chicago (2007, 2009)

• Editorial Board meetings at the Chicago Tribune
• Law school visits to Depaul, Loyola, and Northwestern
• Community outreach in the immigrant neighborhood of Pilsen
• Visit to the Chicago Board of Trade
• Tour of the Chicago History Museum
• Alumni events at the Shedd Aquarium and Sears Tower

New Orleans (2011)

• Roundtable discussion with community leaders on post-Katrina recovery
• Visit to the federal courthouse and 5th Circuit Court of Appeals
• Guided tour of the National World War II Museum
• Law school visit to Tulane
• Briefing and tour at the U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Station
• Visit to the Louisiana State Museum
• Community outreach in the Lower 9th Ward

Washington D.C. (2008, 2010)

• Briefings at the Department of Justice, State Department, and the Pentagon
• Insider tours of the Library of Congress and Supreme Court
• Law School visits to Georgetown and George Washington University
• Discussions with members of the U.S. intelligence community
• Behind the Scenes access at the Voice of America and the Washington Post
• Tours of the FBI Training Academy and U.S. Secret Service headquarters
• Meetings with members of Congress and congressional staffers
• Visits to the U.S. Navy Memorial, National Archives, and Newseum
• Alumni events at the Army/Navy Club and National Press Club