Public Interest 2014: Thoughts, Anxieties, Experiences... Forum

[Tanicius]

I was 99% set on PI before school, but did OCI at my t14 anyway. Really regret it, it was an unpleasant experience. Pretending to be interested in jobs you think you would hate but would consider because of money is difficult to do, and unless you are really good at hiding your true attitudes, easy to see through.

I regret doing OCI for this reason, and because going through OCI put green-tinted glasses over my eyes for a few months. In the end it didn't change my career outcome, but if I'd been given an offer I could be in a very different place right now, and I don't know if it would be a happy one.

[Anonymous User]

I didn't put any effort into my t14 OCI and actually had a huge mistake on my resume (under job description for my previous work experience all i put was "responsible for" and nothing else). BUT I thought it was good experience because:
A) it solidified that I really did not want to do that work. The cattle call aspect of it was a nail in the coffin.
B) Although the interviews are different from PI interviews its a great way to practice interviews and come up with a narrative about your 1L experience.
C) I managed to get a personalized letter from a partner at a firm I had no business applying to with my grades, saying that I was the best interviewer that she had had in a few years and that if I got my grades up in the fall that she would 100% schedule another interview.

I'd imagine that getting a firm offer would be a huge confidence booster going into the PI job hunt (don't they have to hold their offer open or something for PI people?) If nothing else you'll be able to tell when an interview is clicking but its your hippy PIness that won't get you the job. That should also give you confidence.

I don't think doing it or not is a huge deal but if any part of you thinks you may want to go private, then I would do it.

[rpcb]

I was 99% set on PI before school, but did OCI at my t14 anyway. Really regret it, it was an unpleasant experience. Pretending to be interested in jobs you think you would hate but would consider because of money is difficult to do, and unless you are really good at hiding your true attitudes, easy to see through.

For me it is a bit different. I came into law school thinking I wanted to do transactional work, but working at a public defenders office this summer, I have found out that I want to be a public defender. My school (a t20) has two rounds of OCI interviews and I did not bid on the first round and seriously doubt I will bid on the second round. After working at a public defenders office I just don't want to do that type of work anymore, and to be fair, with my grades, I don't think those big private firms would want me anyway.

[dextermorgan]

Whelp. Just got done with my second summer at Legal Aid. I knew the organization had funding issues, but I didn't realize how bad it was until this summer. My only chance of working for the organization is a single one-year fellowship at this point. Looks like I have some mass mailing to do.

[sd5289]

Does Legal Aid host AmeriCorps/EJW/Skadden/et al fellows? Those tend to be good for two years, and gets you some time on the ground that helps convince your host office to figure out a way to make you work (budget wise) over the long term.

[dextermorgan]

Does Legal Aid host AmeriCorps/EJW/Skadden/et al fellows? Those tend to be good for two years, and gets you some time on the ground that helps convince your host office to figure out a way to make you work (budget wise) over the long term.

They do, and I'll be applying, but obviously those are not guaranteed. I've been told that they will likely receive more funding in two years, but right now they are extremely strapped.

[FlanAl]

Is that across the board or does it apply to just the civil or criminal side at legal aid? Good luck with the fellowships, I'm sure with two summers there you'll be able to work out a great proposal.

[samcro_op]

Glad to see there are other 2Ls in the same boat! We bid tomorrow and I am not even really feeling like doing it. I am tempted to blow off the whole thing and go watch baseball since my team is visiting near my school the week of OCI.

[worldtraveler]

Does Legal Aid host AmeriCorps/EJW/Skadden/et al fellows? Those tend to be good for two years, and gets you some time on the ground that helps convince your host office to figure out a way to make you work (budget wise) over the long term.

They do, and I'll be applying, but obviously those are not guaranteed. I've been told that they will likely receive more funding in two years, but right now they are extremely strapped.

Be careful about applying for a fellowship with an org that isn't in a good place. They scrutinize the host organization very carefully. Unless this place has a history of getting lots of fellows funded, maybe look into some other hosts.

[Nebby]

Tomorrow is my last day. It's been a good summer.

[sd5289]

Speaking of EJW (specifically), the organization that would be willing to host me just forwarded me an email they got from EJW that says:

The two-year fellowships offer salary (up to $41,000 annually) and generous loan repayment assistance; a national training and leadership development program; and other forms of support during the term of the fellowship.

$41,000? Excuse me, "up to" $41,000? How on earth do you make that work in a city like Chicago or New York?

[Tanicius]

Speaking of EJW (specifically), the organization that would be willing to host me just forwarded me an email they got from EJW that says:

The two-year fellowships offer salary (up to $41,000 annually) and generous loan repayment assistance; a national training and leadership development program; and other forms of support during the term of the fellowship.

$41,000? Excuse me, "up to" $41,000? How on earth do you make that work in a city like Chicago or New York?

In Chicago that's doable, but in NYC you'd have to commute from the Bronx or Jersey.

[Anonymous User]

I believe I struck out on finding a host org. for fellowships. Damn.

[worldtraveler]

I believe I struck out on finding a host org. for fellowships. Damn.

It's July. Plenty of time to do some research and find one. Spam everybody.

[LSL]

Speaking of EJW (specifically), the organization that would be willing to host me just forwarded me an email they got from EJW that says:

The two-year fellowships offer salary (up to $41,000 annually) and generous loan repayment assistance; a national training and leadership development program; and other forms of support during the term of the fellowship.

$41,000? Excuse me, "up to" $41,000? How on earth do you make that work in a city like Chicago or New York?

I'm definitely not an expert on the program, but if I understand it correctly, it's that they give up to $41,000 but the host can go beyond that and they have to go with whatever they pay a starting salary. So, if Host X normally pays a starting attorney $43,000, then the host has to pay the 2k extra. However, if they normally pay $37,000 to start, that's all EJW will match to (I think).

Yeah, it's not much in some places. LOLPI

[Anonymous User]

I believe I struck out on finding a host org. for fellowships. Damn.

Different Anon User but my dream host org (that I previously interned at) also rejected me. At this point is it even worth trying to find another host org for the off chance that Skadden/EJW would pan out?

I know, I know, what am I going to do instead? Is crying on the inside and bitterly questioning your PI credentials credited?

[sd5289]

Different Anon User but my dream host org (that I previously interned at) also rejected me. At this point is it even worth trying to find another host org for the off chance that Skadden/EJW would pan out?

I know, I know, what am I going to do instead? Is crying on the inside and bitterly questioning your PI credentials credited?

No, PI is hard. Keep trying. What's the worst that could happen? You don't find anything? That's the same result as if you quit now.

As for me, my last day was today. I cannot believe the summer's already over. Of course, in the "it never ends" theme, I spent the evening submitting applications to offices that opened their applications this morning. Cause, no, it never stops. And now? Some wine.

[BlueLotus]

Wrapped up last Friday. The deep, ominous Vale awaits me!

[rpcb]

Just finished up last friday as well. Definitely a great experience as far as 1L summers go and I definitely discovered that I want to be a public defender. It is going to suck though having to sit in a classroom again.

[crumpetsandtea]

Wrapped up last Friday. The deep, ominous Vale awaits me!

Ditto. Interviewing for fellowship sponsors still...IDK what I'm going to do if I don't get a sponsor. It's already so late in the game for EJW fellowships, I'm freaking out.

[samcro_op]

Just finished up last friday as well. Definitely a great experience as far as 1L summers go and I definitely discovered that I want to be a public defender. It is going to suck though having to sit in a classroom again.

I'm finishing this week. Genuinely feeling sad to go. I'm really excited though now that I know this is actually something that I want to do!

[BlueLotus]

Wrapped up last Friday. The deep, ominous Vale awaits me!

Ditto. Interviewing for fellowship sponsors still...IDK what I'm going to do if I don't get a sponsor. It's already so late in the game for EJW fellowships, I'm freaking out.

I feel ya. Still haven't locked down a fellowship sponsor and it's pretty late in the game now.

[crumpetsandtea]

Wrapped up last Friday. The deep, ominous Vale awaits me!

Ditto. Interviewing for fellowship sponsors still...IDK what I'm going to do if I don't get a sponsor. It's already so late in the game for EJW fellowships, I'm freaking out.

I feel ya. Still haven't locked down a fellowship sponsor and it's pretty late in the game now.

I didn't start until early July and didn't apply to as many as I should have. I have only had like 2 interviews. 1 of them didn't do any lit work and the other I'm still waiting to hear back from. I REALLY REALLY hope I get it, its in a location I want for a PA that I want. They've had many EJW/Skadden fellows in the past so they know what they're doing. ): I would be really sad if I just couldn't find anything and as a result I couldn't apply for fellowships at all.

[BlueLotus]

Wrapped up last Friday. The deep, ominous Vale awaits me!

Ditto. Interviewing for fellowship sponsors still...IDK what I'm going to do if I don't get a sponsor. It's already so late in the game for EJW fellowships, I'm freaking out.

I feel ya. Still haven't locked down a fellowship sponsor and it's pretty late in the game now.

I didn't start until early July and didn't apply to as many as I should have. I have only had like 2 interviews. 1 of them didn't do any lit work and the other I'm still waiting to hear back from. I REALLY REALLY hope I get it, its in a location I want for a PA that I want. They've had many EJW/Skadden fellows in the past so they know what they're doing. ): I would be really sad if I just couldn't find anything and as a result I couldn't apply for fellowships at all.

Did you hear back from that fellow sponsor, crumps?

[tiymay]

Well, Skadden was due today and EJW has been turned in for some time now. Let the waiting begin.