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&lt;p&gt;This is the&#160;third post in a series where we will highlight several pieces of practical advice from the associates who took our most recent survey. In the &lt;a href=&quot;/blogs/vaults-law-blog-legal-careers-and-industry-news/practical-advice-from-the-2023-vault-law-associate-survey-summer-programs&quot;&gt;first installment&lt;/a&gt;, we looked at advice about summer programs. In the &lt;a href=&quot;/blogs/vaults-law-blog-legal-careers-and-industry-news/practical-advice-from-the-2023-vault-law-associate-survey-law-school&quot;&gt;second installment&lt;/a&gt;, we looked at advice for your time in law school. In this one, we will sample the survey for advice on working that first real law firm gig.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. &quot;Hours are unpredictable. Clients are unpredictable—and sometimes demanding. Get ready to be uncomfortable! That is the only way you will learn.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2. &quot;Go to every networking event—you never know what will you be able to learn from a veteran attorney.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. &quot;Find good mentorship.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4. &quot;Pro bono credit is extremely important to get development opportunities.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5. &quot;Build a strong relationship with a partner and become indispensable to their practice.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;6. &quot;Keep&#160;in mind that this will require a lot of sacrifices.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;7. &quot;Pay attention to diversity efforts and opportunities for mentorship.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;8. &quot;Always prioritize relationships. You&#39;ll be working with people for many hours of your day, so you want to make sure you can spend a lot of time around these people!&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;9. &quot;Be proactive—Under promise and over deliver.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;10. &quot;It’s pretty easy to lateral so don’t get hung up on where you are, just observe and learn something.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;11. &quot;Advocate for yourself more. You deserve it!&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;12. &quot;Work hard and network.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;13. &quot;Chase your dreams hard and build a solid Plan B.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;14. &quot;Really listen to what the associates say about life at the firm and especially practice tips. They usually have quite a few tips that will make the most annoying, mundane, or rote tasks easier and quicker.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;15. &quot;Find good people to work with and do what they do. Learn as much as you can for a couple of years while deciding if you enjoy that area of law.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;

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