1L struck out so far, what do I do? Forum

[Anonymous User]

So, I didn't apply to enough places, and probably aimed way too high, and at this point have no summer employment lined up.

I'm right at median at an MVP, and would really like to get something in the Houston area. Already applied to all the federal judges in the area and struck out, what do I do now? Any constructive advice would be greatly appreciated.

[270910]

At this point, I think you pretty much 'settle' for becoming an RA.

[SteelReserve]

Mail out to the non-federal judges (any level, municipal, state, etc) and pray, although you're probably too late.

Get on the RA train as fast you can. Last resort is to do a lot of summer classes.

[emilybeth]

Um, PI? Many places are only just starting their hiring. It's not even March. You've still got time.

[prezidentv8]

Yeah man keep applying. You should still be able to find something.

[underachiever]

Apply to more Judges and be very open as to location.

1) Get a list of EVERY Federal Judge in areas you can live over the summer (be broad) and call their chambers Monday morning to see if they are still taking apps for summer externs. If they are send an app asp, also ask if u can just email it for expedience

2) Next, get a list of local judges in areas you like and call them to also see if they are still taking apps for summer externs.

3) I would also set up meetings with profs about becoming a summer RA.

4) P/I is also an option email/call around.

Get all of these things rolling at once and as quickly as possible. And don't even think about taking classes, esp. at a T10 school, it really will hurt you at OCI in the fall. Even if you had a reason, a 3 year duel degree for instance, it still will hurt (heard this from tons of associates, partners, 2Ls and 3Ls)

By the way it is really less about grades for 1L extern hiring, esp with a great law school on ur resume and median grades at a great school like urs our fine

[CCA]

Don't be afraid to apply to state judges. In my experience, it's much easier to get on with them, especially in January or later. I keep hearing that state vs. federal doesn't make a difference for a summer internship, especially if you might want to practice in that state.

[Anonymous User]

There are entities called public interest organizations - I know no one on this board acknowledges they exist because they don't pay you salaries that immediately put you in the top 5% of U.S. households, but that shouldn't matter for 1L summer, should it?

Do an organization search on pslawnet.org, blanket the places that look interesting with e-mails, and get some interesting legal experience before you end up in doc. review for years.

[smalltown]

Probably should apply for work study asap as well, if you haven't. Good back up plan for the RA, or possibly other internships in legal offices on campus.

[imchuckbass58]

Like everyone else has said, you should hit up 1) RA positions, 2) state/local judges, 3) PI, except for the super-prestigious stuff which is already done hiring.

I'd also suggest in house counsel positions if you're interested. Your career services should post openings.

[Corsair]

..

[Anonymous User]

Okay, this is the OP, thanks for all the help.


Anyway, I got an offer with legal aid in my home city, and have a couple days before I have to accept. Anyway, I'm glad that I have SOMETHING lined up, but have another couple of questions.


1) Assuming I'm not disqualified on the basis of grades, will I still have a shot at a 2L Big Firm summer job if I take this legal aid position.

2) I would ideally like to take a Big Firm job in Houston, and I highly doubt those firms are recruiting for their Houston offices at my school. I wanted a job in Houston this summer, but I suppose I should just be happy to have gotten anything. Anyway, those Houston firms do recruit at law schools in my home city, and I'm wondering if I'm going to have any shot at landing anything there without any ties to the city, aside from being from the same "region."


Thanks again.

[A'nold]

Are you guys SURE that you have to do something 1L summer? Around my school (lower ranked) it seems that at least half the students are just going to do whatever, like study abroad, take summer school classes, etc.

I am still trying to get an RA position, but my school is VERY poor and it doesn't seem like this is really an option.

Can't I just sit back and play Halo 3 all summer?

[bees]

Are you guys SURE that you have to do something 1L summer? Around my school (lower ranked) it seems that at least half the students are just going to do whatever, like study abroad, take summer school classes, etc.

I am still trying to get an RA position, but my school is VERY poor and it doesn't seem like this is really an option.

Can't I just sit back and play Halo 3 all summer?

You seem super motivated in most of your posts (and I know you have excellent grades and are transferring), so I'm a little surprised you are asking this. At OCI, you want to be able to talk about something, anything law related that you did over the summer. It seems pretty well agreed upon that the absolute worst thing you could do would be to just do "whatever," because you want to have something substantive under your belt.

I think this would be even more important if you're transferring - since you'll have to start fresh with grades and I can't imagine a transfer/no summer work does even close to as well as a median student/some summer work at OCI.

(I'm a 0L)

[patrickd139]

Are you guys SURE that you have to do something 1L summer? Around my school (lower ranked) it seems that at least half the students are just going to do whatever, like study abroad, take summer school classes, etc.

I am still trying to get an RA position, but my school is VERY poor and it doesn't seem like this is really an option.

Can't I just sit back and play Halo 3 all summer?

[strike]You seem super motivated in most of your posts (and I know you have excellent grades and are transferring), so I'm a little surprised you are asking this. At OCI, you want to be able to talk about something, anything law related that you did over the summer. It seems pretty well agreed upon that the absolute worst thing you could do would be to just do "whatever," because you want to have something substantive under your belt.

I think this would be even more important if you're transferring - since you'll have to start fresh with grades and I can't imagine a transfer/no summer work does even close to as well as a median student/some summer work at OCI.[/strike]

(I'm a 0L)

[A'nold]

Are you guys SURE that you have to do something 1L summer? Around my school (lower ranked) it seems that at least half the students are just going to do whatever, like study abroad, take summer school classes, etc.

I am still trying to get an RA position, but my school is VERY poor and it doesn't seem like this is really an option.

Can't I just sit back and play Halo 3 all summer?

You seem super motivated in most of your posts (and I know you have excellent grades and are transferring), so I'm a little surprised you are asking this. At OCI, you want to be able to talk about something, anything law related that you did over the summer. It seems pretty well agreed upon that the absolute worst thing you could do would be to just do "whatever," because you want to have something substantive under your belt.

I think this would be even more important if you're transferring - since you'll have to start fresh with grades and I can't imagine a transfer/no summer work does even close to as well as a median student/some summer work at OCI.

(I'm a 0L)

Yeah, I hear you, it's just that there is really pretty much crap for jobs up here and I can't afford to move anywhere else for the summer b/c I need what little savings I have to transfer. It's kind of a weird situation to be in. In fact, I'm going to be apartmentless come the end of June and will have to live a month floating from parent's house to in-law's house with all of our stuff in storage.
If we were talking a paid gig or a judicial internship I'd be all over it. The best I got was a very expensive externship that I had to turn down b/c I need that money to transfer (there's this whole "I can't take out loans until a month after the externship starts" issue so I'd have to come up with the externship money myself).

[270910]

Yeah, I hear you, it's just that there is really pretty much crap for jobs up here and I can't afford to move anywhere else for the summer b/c I need what little savings I have to transfer. It's kind of a weird situation to be in. In fact, I'm going to be apartmentless come the end of June and will have to live a month floating from parent's house to in-law's house with all of our stuff in storage.
If we were talking a paid gig or a judicial internship I'd be all over it. The best I got was a very expensive externship that I had to turn down b/c I need that money to transfer (there's this whole "I can't take out loans until a month after the externship starts" issue so I'd have to come up with the externship money myself).

Considering these next few months will provide the building blocks of a career in which you could earn millions over your lifetime or demolish any hope you have a seeing a six figure salary for the next decade plus, you are remarkably cavalier about a little travel and a few thousand dollars.

[SteelReserve]

Considering these next few months will provide the building blocks of a career in which you could earn millions over your lifetime or demolish any hope you have a seeing a six figure salary for the next decade plus, you are remarkably cavalier about a little travel and a few thousand dollars.

Credited. Transfer students already start off at a disadvantage to their full-time-there peers in the OCI process. I would not recommend compounding that problem with 0 legal experience over the summer.

FWIW, the kids that are taking classes and not doing anything are not the kids trying to get a summer associate position in the fall. And if they are, then they are extraordinarily misguided. A'nold should not look to them as a model for his actions.

There are things in life worth pinching pennies for, and getting that essential summer experience is one of them. Alternatively, take whatever position you can in your area, no matter how lame you personally think it is.

[bees]

Are you guys SURE that you have to do something 1L summer? Around my school (lower ranked) it seems that at least half the students are just going to do whatever, like study abroad, take summer school classes, etc.

I am still trying to get an RA position, but my school is VERY poor and it doesn't seem like this is really an option.

Can't I just sit back and play Halo 3 all summer?

[strike]You seem super motivated in most of your posts (and I know you have excellent grades and are transferring), so I'm a little surprised you are asking this. At OCI, you want to be able to talk about something, anything law related that you did over the summer. It seems pretty well agreed upon that the absolute worst thing you could do would be to just do "whatever," because you want to have something substantive under your belt.

I think this would be even more important if you're transferring - since you'll have to start fresh with grades and I can't imagine a transfer/no summer work does even close to as well as a median student/some summer work at OCI.[/strike]

(I'm a 0L)

Considering that fact that I think I gave pretty decent advice that others agreed with and didn't make any wild claims about job opportunities that I couldn't back up, there was no need for your post.

[A'nold]

Haha, it seems like I'm always needing to explain my financial situation on here. When I say I will have no money to transfer, I really mean it. I have a few k saved up to transfer, that's it. No credit cards, no rich parents, no one I can even borrow from. I need a job around here or MAYBE around my in-law's place to even have a hope at making the summer work w/out earning $. I'm just hoping I can land an SA at my school, but I doubt it. I'm probably just going to go "door to door" in this small town and try to see if anyone needs any pt. help for free for a few weeks this summer.

Question: Do employers ask you what kind of hours you worked and for how long?

[SteelReserve]

A'Nold, I don't know your entire situation, but may I ask why you did not go for an RA position since that pays some money? I don't really see why someone so high in rank such as yourself cannot get such a position.

[UCLAtransfer]

Considering these next few months will provide the building blocks of a career in which you could earn millions over your lifetime or demolish any hope you have a seeing a six figure salary for the next decade plus, you are remarkably cavalier about a little travel and a few thousand dollars.

Credited. Transfer students already start off at a disadvantage to their full-time-there peers in the OCI process. I would not recommend compounding that problem with 0 legal experience over the summer.

FWIW, the kids that are taking classes and not doing anything are not the kids trying to get a summer associate position in the fall. And if they are, then they are extraordinarily misguided. A'nold should not look to them as a model for his actions.

There are things in life worth pinching pennies for, and getting that essential summer experience is one of them. Alternatively, take whatever position you can in your area, no matter how lame you personally think it is.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Anonymous User]

1L here- So I struck out with the federal judges I was hoping to work for but have a couple other options on the table. What position might bode better for biglaw OCI this summer? 1) A local trial level judge that handles civil trials or 2) the city DA's office most likely in one of the more prestigious units (eg felonies, murders etc). I wouldn't mind doing the DA gig just to confirm that I'm truly not interested in criminal prosecution. I'm afraid there might not be too much writing though which might not be good for biglaw right?

Both positions are in a large secondary market where my school is located. School is a T2 with a strong presence in the market and I'm around top 5-10% after 1st semester. Assuming a repeat of the first semester, I think I can probably make law review. Does anyone think the aforementioned jobs would hurt my chances at the big firms in the area or do they sound like solid enough internships worth taking? Thanks for the help.

[A'nold]

A'Nold, I don't know your entire situation, but may I ask why you did not go for an RA position since that pays some money? I don't really see why someone so high in rank such as yourself cannot get such a position.

I've hit up a few of my professors and it doesn't seem like the professors at my school regularly use TA's for some reason. It's like everything is backwards at this school. Anyway, I don't know how RA's get paid but my school is hurting so badly for money that they are turning over half of the lights in the library off after like 10 p.m. and you have to basically study in the dark if you want to sit on the good chairs.......I'm not freaking joking.

[dood]

...