Elliot Spoon Elliot Spoon Assists Career Services as Faculty Coordinator BY NELIA VAN GOOR Professor Elliot Spoon is known for having the “inside scoop” on job hunting. Students often approach him with questions or concerns regarding job searches, resumes and hiring tips. “Having worked in a law firm for more than 26 years, I have the type of insight students are looking for when it comes to career options,” Spoon says. “I’ve been on the other side of the hiring process.” In January, Spoon started working with the Career Services staff as faculty coordinator for career development. Soon thereafter, he began meeting with students one on one to discuss resumes, career options, goals, and areas of interest based on the students’ needs. “Intervention at an early stage is vital to help students become better candidates later in the process,” Spoon emphasizes. In addition to his duties as a student advisor, Spoon plays an active role in soliciting employers for job postings and for participation in on-campus interviews. He also is involved with the strategic implementation of new programs within Career Services. “We need to continue training our students so they have an edge over the competition,” Spoon adds. “The experiential aspect of legal education is a critical link for producing successful lawyers as well as increasing the reputation of the school.” Spoon also is interested in creating camaraderie among the student body so students can foster each others’ career advancement through both informal and formal means. “It’s a culture of people having expertise in searching for jobs, which can be passed from one class to another,” Spoon says. In addition to his new role with Career Services, Spoon continues to teach a full load of classes and is co-chair for the Corporate Law Concentration, faculty advisor to the Business Law Society, and advisor to the Small Business/Non-Profit Law Clinic. “I have many responsibilities here, but working with students is at the heart of my job,” Spoon adds. “I enjoy the interaction.” Prior to his appointment at MSU-DCL, Spoon was a partner with Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer and Weiss in Detroit. He teaches contracts, corporate finance, mortgage banking, accounting for lawyers, and securities.