The

Undeniable

Ruth

®

…and the Ruth shall set you free!

  • SALK Day 9 – ThinkGeek – Pure Awesomeness

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    Ruth Carter

    Today’s sponsor is ThinkGeek, online retail store loved by computer and science geeks.  ThinkGeek sells the Yoda Backpack, the Pi t-shirt, and the ultimate Star Trek Red Shirt; however, they also have a host of products that are pure awesome, even to normal people.  Here are some of my favorites:

    1. Executive Sand Timer: These elegant sand timers actually run out in about an hour.  I would have loved to have had one when I was a therapist.
    2. USB Monster Hub: There are days that I use all 4 USB ports on my laptop, with more devices I could be attaching to my machine.  This hub gives you 24 ports!  If the  Monster Hub is overwhelming, ThinkGeek has the 7-port USB Octopus too.
    3. Self Stirring Mug:  I have always wanted a mug like this.  It’s perfect for stirring the cream and sugar into my coffee or mixing my hot chocolate.
    4. All Things Caffeine: People who work hard and play hard often need an energy boost to get through the day.  ThinkGeek has an incredible selection of caffeinated products including candy, soap, nixie tubes, and Bawls – ThinkGeek’s favorite caffeinated soda.  For people who are bacon aficionados, they have a line of bacon products too.
    5. USB Heated Blanket: Last summer I worked in an office where an air vent blew cold air on me all day.  It was 110 degrees outside but about 60 degrees at my desk.  At the time, I considered getting a Snuggie, but I would have contemplated this instead if I knew that it existed.
    6. X-mini Capsule Speaker:  Music is one of my passions but wearing earbuds all day is painful and antisocial.  This tiny speaker is capable of producing a huge sound.  It would be perfect for listening to my iPod.
    7. USB LED Beverage Cooler:  This is the perfect device for chilling my favorite afternoon beverage.
    8. Onion Goggles:  I have these and they are a must-have for anyone who enjoys cooking.  The goggles seal off your eyes so the fumes from the onions can’t make you cry.
    9. FreeLoader Solar Charger: I run my life through my phone and it generally needs to be recharged during the day.  This charger is the best way to recharge any device without needing an electrical outlet or USB port.
    10. Laser Stars Projector: I have insomnia, usually when I can’t turn off my brain.  This projector turns a dark room into a glorious display of stars and clouds that constantly move and morph.  I could fall asleep under the calmness of this display every night.

    Today is also the annual No Pants Light Rail Ride in Arizona, which is part of the Global No Pants Ride. My thanks to ThinkGeek for providing my underwear for this event.  ThinkGeek has created a special promotional code in honor of this event, just for Sponsor A Law Kid readers.  Use the code NOPANTS to get $10 off orders over $50.

    Sponsor A Law Kid is my endeavor to pay for my last semester of law school. Today’s sponsor is ThinkGeek.  For more information about Sponsor A Law Kid or to see what days are still available for sponsorship, visit my Sponsor A Law Kid page.

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  • SALK Day 8 – Amanda Ellis – The Social Media Connection

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    Ruth Carter

    My sponsor today is Amanda Ellis, attorney recruiter and founder of Amanda Ellis Legal Search.  Her firm assists associate level attorneys in finding jobs.  She is also the author of The 6Ps of the Big 3 for Job-Seeking JDs, a book that provides a detailed overview about how attorneys can use LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to develop business or find a job.  She also maintains a blog on this topic with tips and her appearance schedule.  Many professionals are afraid of social networking sites.  Her book does a great job of instructing professionals on how to use these sites and tips for having a professional presence online and building relationships with others.  I’m looking forward to implementing some of her suggestions on how to use LinkedIn to find a job in my upcoming search for post-graduation employment.  When Ellis sponsored today, she asked me to share one of my success stories of being a law student and using social media.  I thought I would tell the social media history of Sponsor A Law Kid.

    One thing I’ve learned about networking through social media is that it is a process, not an event.  It’s about building relationships and seeing each connection and conversation and a potential stepping stone.

    In January 2009, I was a 1L who had just finished her first semester of law school and did not stick out in a crowd.  I attended the first Global No Pants Ride in Phoenix.  I was intrigued by the boldness of Jeff Moriarty for planning such an event and decided that I wanted to meet him.  I purposely stood next to him on the ride and struck up a conversation with him.  By the end of the day we were “friends” on Facebook.  Through Jeff, I heard about Ignite Phoenix, and presented on the legalities of participating in public pranks at Ignite Phoenix #5.  One of the other presenters at Ignite was Kade Dworkin.  Kade and I kept in contact and about a year later, he started his own podcast called Meet My Followers where he interviewed his Twitter followers.  I was on his podcast and listened to his other shows.  One of his guests was Jason Sadler, founder of I Wear Your Shirt.  As I listened to Jason discuss how he makes a living by wearing shirts and creating content, I was inspired to use my blog to fund my final semester of law school.  In November 2010, I launched Sponsor A Law Kid.  This campaign has opened the door for me to connect with attorneys all over the country and opportunities to be a guest blogger for other websites.  It took almost two years and at least seven steps from participating in a prank to being mentioned on Above the Law, The Nutmeg Lawyer, Blind Drunk Justice, and ABAJournal.com.

    Twitter is my primary modality for networking.  It is how I create and maintain connections with people in the legal community.  Along with connecting online, I try to connect with as many people as I can in reality through attending events and inviting attorneys to coffee or lunch.  I have stronger connections with people that I have met in person than with people I only know online.

    Sponsor A Law Kid is my endeavor to pay for my last semester of law school.  Today’s sponsor is Amanda Ellis.  For more information about Sponsor A Law Kid or to see what days are still available for sponsorship, visit my Sponsor A Law Kid page.

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  • SALK Day 7 – The Ruth-Mr. D Story – Part 5

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    Ruth Carter

    I think my favorite part of the Ruth-Mr. DeShazer story is the fact that what I learned in his classes has stayed with me.  For the rest of my life, whenever I see a fruit fly I’ll think, “Oooohh…drosophila.”  When I go on vacation and the ocean glows at night, I think, “Oooohh…bioluminescent algae.”  I still celebrate Mole Day every October.  And thanks to Mr. D.’s chemistry class, I will never forget about the dangers of dihyrdogen monoxide.

    I opened my senior yearbook last night.  Next to his picture, Mr. D. wrote, “Study Life.  It’s Neat Stuff.”  I’d like to think that that is what I have endeavored to do with my life – always learning and seeking new adventures.  They say law school teaches you how to think.  I think that I was challenged to think critically starting in Mr. D.’s class.

    I remember when I told him and my high school friends that I was changing my major from chemistry to psychology.  Everyone thought that I had lost my mind.  I remember Mr. D. had some choice words.  He didn’t want me to throw in the towel just because I was frustrated.  He tried to convince me that I was just going through a rough patch and that it would get better it I stuck with it.  He and my high school friends had not seen me for the previous six months, yelling across the lab every day, “I’m changing my major!”  They couldn’t see how unhappy I was via email.

    I knew that there was going to be a backlash from my friends and family.  I knew I needed data to back up my decision so I went to my career services office and took personality tests.  The results showed that I was well suited for science, but that I was also suited for human services.  My love of science had not changed; I just didn’t want to be trapped in a lab all day.  I think everyone calmed down when they saw that I wasn’t giving up my science roots; I’m using them in a different way.

    I’m grateful that the DeShazers sponsored my entire first week of Sponsor A Law Kid and gave me the freedom to tell this story.  It’s been a blast for me and my fellow classmates.

    Sponsor A Law Kid is my endeavor to pay for my last semester of law school. Today’s sponsors are Darvin and Jane DeShazer. For more information about Sponsor A Law Kid or to see what days are still available for sponsorship, visit my Sponsor A Law Kid page.