Q&A with Jemina Molines
Jemina Molines
Senior Placement Assistant, JD Division, Office of Career Services
Tell us the story of how you came to work at NYU Law. Were you always in your current position?
After college, I was unsure of how I wanted to position my post-graduate career. I knew that I either wanted to be working in higher education, at a law firm, or at a nonprofit. One of my best friends suggested that I look at entry-level positions at law schools in the NYC area, thinking that I might find a role that incorporates all of my interests. I went to the NYU careers website and came across an opening for a receptionist for the Office of Career Services (OCS), Public Interest Law Center (PILC), and the Judicial Clerkship Office (JCO). I immediately applied and aced the interview process.
I started as a receptionist for OCS, PILC, and JCO offices. After about a year, I was ready for a new challenge, so when the senior placement assistant position for the JD Counseling division in OCS became available, I applied. I have been in my current role since late 2022.
What’s a typical day for you like?
Each academic year, the day-to-day of my position has evolved and expanded with the flow of the private sector market. I wear many hats to meet the needs of the JD counselors. I primarily oversee the process of inputting JD and LLM private sector job postings and docket entries, supporting the event planning process for our programming, and updating student counseling and job search resources and handbooks. As for other parts of the academic year, I oversee our targeted counseling appointments for 1Ls participating in the Pre-Season Employment Program (PEP) and Employer Interview Week (EIW), as well as summer employment tracking for our 1L and 2L students.
What’s the most challenging thing about what you do? And what’s the most rewarding?
The most challenging thing I do is tracking and cleaning up our summer employment data for our 1L and 2L students. Due to market changes, the process is always evolving and it involves a lot of diligence to ensure every detail is correct for each student. However, since I enjoy organization, I find it incredibly satisfying when I can focus on this cleanup, especially on those rare times when I have a lighter workload.
The most rewarding part of my role is collaborating with my colleagues. We all support each other where we can and I am always grateful for it, especially during our busy times. We also get to share good laughs throughout the day when we need a break from our computers, during our daily “lunch bunch” or our monthly book club meetings. It also helps that every week we somehow always have an abundance of sweet treats in our office.
What do you wish you’d known about the Law School on your first day of working here?
Even though I don’t work with other departments at the Law School on a day-to-day basis, I wish I had known how friendly and helpful everyone is. Whenever I reach out to different departments, they are always willing to direct my questions and assist me. I was nervous that it was going to be a lot stricter of an environment.
What is your favorite spot on campus, and why?
My favorite spot on campus would have to be Sexton Lounge. When I was a receptionist, I loved going there during my lunch breaks to read; the benches are very comfortable, and I enjoy watching the flow of students and pedestrians through the window. I also go there when I need to work on homework assignments or pass the time before dinner plans, as it’s very relaxing. One of my favorite events is our annual AnBryce Employer Reception because we get to host it in the lounge and setting up the space for the evening is a lovely experience.