Is the optional lunch really optional? Forum

[anli]

I scheduled one of my top firms for the morning, but I have a class scheduled in the afternoon that I cannot miss (professor said so). The recruiter emphasized that the lunch was optional. The alternative would be to schedule for a week later, but I figured the earlier the better. Any thoughts? Should I reschedule?

[romothesavior]

I scheduled one of my top firms for the morning, but I have a class scheduled in the afternoon that I cannot miss (professor said so). The recruiter emphasized that the lunch was optional, that afternoon appointments did not include dinner, and that the firm did not want me to miss class. The alternative would be to schedule for a week later, but I figured the earlier the better. Any thoughts? Should I reschedule?

Just out of curiosity, is it common for profs to not support their students as they look to land a job? Sounds like a crappy situation to be in.

[chup]

I scheduled one of my top firms for the morning, but I have a class scheduled in the afternoon that I cannot miss (professor said so). The recruiter emphasized that the lunch was optional, that afternoon appointments did not include dinner, and that the firm did not want me to miss class. The alternative would be to schedule for a week later, but I figured the earlier the better. Any thoughts? Should I reschedule?

Just out of curiosity, is it common for profs to not support their students as they look to land a job? Sounds like a crappy situation to be in.

It's common for there to be rules about not missing class, yes.

[romothesavior]

It's common for there to be rules about not missing class, yes.

I understand that, but there are more important things than not missing class. The whole point of going to law school is to become a lawyer. Can't do that if you're unemployed.

Anyways, I will leave this thread alone since I don't have an answer. Sorry to semi-derail, just seemed like an odd situation to me.

[hiromoto45]

Not an optional lunch IMO. Go to the lunch. Career or Class? Not much of a decision.

[sbalive]

Unfortunately too many law professors are in denial of the fact that they are teaching at was is essentially a vocational school. It's along the same lines as the opinion that grades don't matter and students worry too much about exams. You'd think it would be better among young professors, but I actually find it to almost be worse, since the new generation is often even more divorced from any kind of practice experience.

Anyway, rant aside, do the lunch. If the prof just discourages absences, you can ask for an exception this time (don't say it's because of the lunch) if you stress that you're trying to avoid missing other classes and other schedule constraints, and this is the only time you will miss this particular class. If the prof has explicitly said there is no exception to missing for a callback, use being sick as an excuse, just like you will in the future when skipping work to interview for other jobs

[Anonymous User]

Unfortunately too many law professors are in denial of the fact that they are teaching at was is essentially a vocational school. It's along the same lines as the opinion that grades don't matter and students worry too much about exams. You'd think it would be better among young professors, but I actually find it to almost be worse, since the new generation is often even more divorced from any kind of practice experience.

Anyway, rant aside, do the lunch. If the prof just discourages absences, you can ask for an exception this time (don't say it's because of the lunch) if you stress that you're trying to avoid missing other classes and other schedule constraints, and this is the only time you will miss this particular class. If the prof has explicitly said there is no exception to missing for a callback, use being sick as an excuse, just like you will in the future when skipping work to interview for other jobs

+1

I have a class with a mandatory attendance policy. Best part - it's a part-time visiting adjunct.

Sorry, but I've got callbacks scheduled. If I have to drop the class, so be it. I'm closer to 30 years old than I am to 20 - and most importantly, I'm not 6. For what I'm paying, I'll attend class as I deem necessary. I'm here to get a job so that I can pay off the loans that pay these prof's salaries.

[Anonymous User]

I agree with skipping the class. Law profs are some of the most delusional out-of-touch people on the planet. They can't imagine someone missing their dear class for a job interview without it DRASTICALLY affecting their understanding of the course.

[Anonymous User]

Not optional and interviewing earlier is better than later. What an ass. (the prof, not you)

[Anonymous User]

Have to chime in here. Prof sounds like a moron. Def go to the lunch. No question about it.

[spanktheduck]

Go to the lunch. I would also talk to CS and the registrar if you feel the professor is going to make a big deal about this.

[Anonymous User]

I'm going to go ahead and disagree with people here. They callbacks I've gotten have allowed us to schedule in the afternoon in which case lunch isn't even an option. I can't imagine lunch being a big deal (esp. if the recruiter emphasized how optional it is) if afternoon interviewees don't have it by default. I mean, it's sh*tty that your professor is making you go to class, but I also don't think that missing lunch is going to hurt your chances.

I would say that lunch might be a good opportunity to learn more about the firm and in that sense it might be personally beneficial to you to go. But this is outside of the sphere or whether or not going will hurt/help your chances.

[stratocophic]

ITT:

--ImageRemoved--

OP's the only one who should have posted anonymously here.

[hiromoto45]

I'm going to go ahead and disagree with people here. They callbacks I've gotten have allowed us to schedule in the afternoon in which case lunch isn't even an option. I can't imagine lunch being a big deal (esp. if the recruiter emphasized how optional it is) if afternoon interviewees don't have it by default. I mean, it's sh*tty that your professor is making you go to class, but I also don't think that missing lunch is going to hurt your chances.

I would say that lunch might be a good opportunity to learn more about the firm and in that sense it might be personally beneficial to you to go. But this is outside of the sphere or whether or not going will hurt/help your chances.

Sounds like this guy is going to the lunch and doesn't want you there

[Sobriquet]

I'm going to go ahead and disagree with people here. They callbacks I've gotten have allowed us to schedule in the afternoon in which case lunch isn't even an option. I can't imagine lunch being a big deal (esp. if the recruiter emphasized how optional it is) if afternoon interviewees don't have it by default. I mean, it's sh*tty that your professor is making you go to class, but I also don't think that missing lunch is going to hurt your chances.

I would say that lunch might be a good opportunity to learn more about the firm and in that sense it might be personally beneficial to you to go. But this is outside of the sphere or whether or not going will hurt/help your chances.

Sounds like this guy is going to the lunch and doesn't want you there

Oops ok I'll be non-anon about it. But seriously, has no one scheduled an afternoon callback where lunch isn't even an option????

[shmoo597]

If you want a job, you should do everything in your power to get it, which includes schmoozing with the lawyers who work there over lunch. This should be a non brainer, when the downside is essentially nothing. If your prof doesnt understand, say you're sick.

In the scheme of things, attending lunch MIGHT make the difference between you and your dream job. Missing a single class will have literally no effect on anything.

[romothesavior]

If you want a job, you should do everything in your power to get it, which includes schmoozing with the lawyers who work there over lunch. This should be a non brainer, when the downside is essentially nothing. If your prof doesnt understand, say you're sick.

In the scheme of things, attending lunch MIGHT make the difference between you and your dream job. Missing a single class will have literally no effect on anything.

Especially since you're no longer a 1L. Your main focus right now should be on getting a job, not on grades. If this prof gives you a hard time about it, make an argument like the one we're making here: one meaningless class early in the semester versus a shot at a great job. I agree with everyone else who says it is a no-brainer.

I get the impression that a lot of law profs have their heads stuck up their own rears. I like the ones I've met so far at my school, but stories like these make me wonder what I should expect. My undergrad profs would bend over backwards for me for something like this. I really can't believe a law prof would not be doing all that they can to help their students succeed, especially ITE. All he'd have to do is say, "Okay! Enjoy your lunch!" This really doesn't seem like a big request at all. It seems like Professor Tamanaha (my Torts prof... woot woot) was right in the article he wrote that was featured on ATL; some law profs do seem to be out of touch with the realities of the legal market.

Good luck OP, hope your job hunt goes well.

[Anonymous User]

ITT:

--ImageRemoved--

OP's the only one who should have posted anonymously here.

maybe because I don't want my classmates to know I have callbacks and don't want my teachers to see me dogging them?

bitching about anon is worse than abusing anon - mods have said this repeatedly. go whine somewhere else.

[270910]

If you want a job, you should do everything in your power to get it, which includes schmoozing with the lawyers who work there over lunch. This should be a non brainer, when the downside is essentially nothing. If your prof doesnt understand, say you're sick.

In the scheme of things, attending lunch MIGHT make the difference between you and your dream job. Missing a single class will have literally no effect on anything.

+1.

And yes, you usually have a choice between morning + lunch and afternoon w/o a meal. And sometimes only afternoon slots are open, so you can't even get a meal if you wanted one. But all else being equal, it does not reflect well on you to turn down a lunch invitation. The purpose of law school is to get a job, ignore your professors' attempts to power trip.