Law alumna creating career opportunities for current students

It was after successfully lobbying for the redo of a test on behalf of her high school science class that double Bear and Law School Assistant Dean of Career Services Elizabeth Carr, CLAS ’06, LAW, ’10 knew she wanted to be a lawyer. Realizing the power of advocacy led this Irwinton, Georgia, native to study political science and criminal justice at Mercer University, then earn her law degree while working in the U.S. Attorney’s Office throughout her years at Mercer Law.

Elizabeth began her career working for a Macon lawyer and then served several years as an associate for a law firm in Albany, Georgia. Eager to move back to the Macon area, she accepted a position at the Law School in January of 2015 as the assistant director for career services. She worked with Stephanie Powell, ’03, who Elizabeth describes as “an amazing boss and mentor.”

“I would not be as effective today if I had not had those work experiences. Both opportunities allowed me to gain invaluable experience, but I wanted to move closer to my family. Another alum and good friend Leah Aiken, ’11, was working in the Law School admissions and financial aid offices at the time and reached out to me about the opportunity in career services. I really enjoyed being a Mercer student and was invigorated by the idea of working in a non-traditional role. In the long-run, I found my true calling in the work I do now.”

As an alumna who routinely keeps in contact with her classmates, Elizabeth says that the best thing about Mercer Law is the relationships that are built with students and alumni. Having served in her current role for just over five years, her enthusiasm is palpable. She spends her days individually counseling roughly half the current student body (about 200 students) while organizing and overseeing all career counseling for students and alumni. This includes educating and advising about all aspects of the job search and facilitating ongoing relationships with current and potential employers. The goal is to help find summer internships and permanent job opportunities for students after graduation.

Elizabeth and her colleagues manage the collection of statistical career related data, report to accrediting bodies, and independently review all data for accuracy. “We have had great employment statistics for the last several years. In 2022, 96% of Mercer Law graduates were employed or enrolled in a full-time LLM program within 10 months of graduation. But that success is not solely based on our office’s efforts. Many things go into this success including a good employment market, talented students, and a law school that prepares students to be practice ready.”

So how does Elizabeth keep in touch with alumni and potential employers? In addition to organizing participation in all Georgia Law School Consortium job fairs, she attends Georgia State Bar, Macon Bar, and Young Lawyers Division events and participates in the Atlanta Legal Recruiters Association, among many other things. Currently she serves as the co-chair for the Law Student Professional Development Section of NALP, plans events, and invites employers to speak on panels and conduct mock interviews.

She said that one of the most satisfying parts of her job is when students become alumni and contact her about giving back. “I always tell prospective students that one of the best things about Mercer is our alumni. In my job, I am constantly asking alums to connect with students for informational interviews, job opportunities, student organization speakers, or mock interviews – programs that are hosted by our office – and without fail, our alumni are willing to help in any way that they can.”

She starts training students in their first year to do the same when they become alumni. In the management of the 1L Professional Development Program, she creates class content, co-teaches weekly classes to all 1L students (of which there are more than 150), and conducts seminars, career information forums, professional development programs, and orientations.

Of all the satisfying events so far in her career, Elizabeth said that celebrating with a 3L student who landed a dream opportunity after putting in three years of effort working in her office stands out. “This student had taken advantage of every networking opportunity, had stacked their resume with great job experiences and externship opportunities, and basically worked harder than any other student I have come across in my almost ten years in career services. Seeing all that hard work and determination pay off was an amazing moment that I was so proud to share.”