1L with OK grades clueless about what to do this summer Forum

[thexfactor]

Hey guys, I am really clueless as to what I should be doing this summer. I go to a school ranked ~50. Made Dean's list first semester and should prob be around 20%tile. Mid 3.4x

What kind of jobs should I be looking for. Do you think I have enough to apply to the SEC? Are Judicial Internships worth it?

Also, does it matter if i did especially well on one subject matter as compared to others?

My parents have a family friend who is a partner at a midsize firm (200-300 lawyer firm in the midwest). He said my grades were decent this semester and that he would take me on as an unpaid volunteer. He also hinted that I would get an interview next year if my second semester grades are similar.

[postitnotes]

SEC is pretty prestige-whorish and wants top students from top schools (T14), so probs not. You should highly consider that hook-up.

[thexfactor]

do you know anything about judicial internships? are they worth doing?

[ScaredWorkedBored]

For something legal on your resume, they're always worth doing. In terms of experience gained, it varies widely. You can be an office gofer, or you can essentially be a clerk.

Your odds of getting paid work this summer are very, very low. I would take the unpaid intern position at the big firm. You'll learn a lot just by going to lunch with some of the people there.

[thexfactor]

For something legal on your resume, they're always worth doing. In terms of experience gained, it varies widely. You can be an office gofer, or you can essentially be a clerk.

Your odds of getting paid work this summer are very, very low. I would take the unpaid intern position at the big firm. You'll learn a lot just by going to lunch with some of the people there.

Yea i think you are right. My grades aren't that good and my school is ranked in the 50s.
Which volunteer position will look better on my resume?

[postitnotes]

do you know anything about judicial internships? are they worth doing?

I'm working for a federal judge this summer so I am not exactly sure what the work entails. However, I pretty much only applied for judicial externships. From what I have heard, they are worth doing for the experience (research/writing). People have also told me that in the past you were given somewhat of a leg up for judicial externships over certain types of summer jobs at OCI. (Supposedly, after the biglaw contraction, there isn't as much of a "plus" at OCI and grades are ever more important.)

I think you should probably work for your connection though. This is because in case your grades can't land you a paid job via OCI, he might be able to hook you up.