Work Experience Questions Forum

[Flacco4815]

Hey so I'm a second semester freshman in UG who posted on here about a year ago with some questions about law school. I got a lot of good advice and have done what I was told on these boards (basically don't worry about law school, get a 4.0, have fun) but just wanted to ask a quick question about what constitutes good work experience when applying.

Because of the credits I came in with, it's going to be feasible for me to graduate in 3 years (Political Science Major, Economics Minor). I know there is some push back on this, but since I'm paying for some of my college it'll allow me to save money and will allow me to graduate with no student loans. I obviously am strongly considering working for a year or 2 after undergrad (since I will have no debt, I wouldn't mind working as basically a low-level staffer on the hill or in the state legislator making barely anything) but if I go straight through to law school I was wondering if the jobs I've had will show me as with at least a little more experience than the average straight-through student.

I've had restaurant jobs, and convenience store jobs but after this summer, I'll have spent my last three summers working at a consulting firm (full time 9-5 and some night events so some weeks even more) with actual substantive roles. I've been brought on meetings with clients, been able to staff clients myself, work on business development etc. Obviously it's not a year-round job, and working full time after graduation for a year or 2 would look better but I was interested as to how this would be viewed. Thanks!

[Flacco4815]

Sorry if its ambiguous I mean viewed by both adcomms and employers. Thanks!

[notalobbyist]

Getting a paid position on the hill is not as easy as it sounds. Many offices won't hire you due to geographical quotas, or will only hire you if you've "paid your dues" as an unpaid intern for god knows how long.

If you go this route, be prepared to work for free during the day and serve tables at night like your competition (some of whom already have their JD and are still working unpaid).

[Flacco4815]

I know you normally have to be an unpaid intern first, and I have friends who have gone both the federal route, and the state route and understand that process. I was just wondering how my current work experience would be viewed, especially if I can speak about it well in an interview setting.

[notalobbyist]

It's less helpful than somebody who got a job in a relevant/desired field but slightly more than most other internships. Not enough to break the K-JD mold if that's what you're asking.

[jbagelboy]

If I was a client, and someone told me they were billing hours for a senior in high school, I would first shit myself, clean up, and then fire your firm withholding the previous months' invoice and bring charges through the better business bureau.

If you want to go to a prestigious law program, the best thing you can do would be to take four years of substantive academic classes, get great LoRs, and then some variant of a fulbright scholarship, analyst position at booz allen or accenture for two years or TFA while getting your LSAT 173+ then apply**.

Obviously people get into Harvard ect. doing a lot less, but you wanted to know the best thing.

[Flacco4815]

[quote="jbagelboy"]If I was a client, and someone told me they were billing hours for a senior in high school, I would first shit myself, clean up, and then fire your firm withholding the previous months' invoice and bring charges through the better business bureau.

Hey I think there was some misunderstanding its not a law firm at all, the clients knew I was doing work that was billable but it was general business tasks . I know what the best option was, just wondering where this would put me. thanks!

[Flacco4815]

It's less helpful than somebody who got a job in a relevant/desired field but slightly more than most other internships. Not enough to break the K-JD mold if that's what you're asking.

I assumed something alone those lines, thanks!