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Wanted to get some opinions on if I should be totally psyched about this, or just take it at face value and get on with things haha.

Was offered (and have accepted, since you can't gamble anything ITE) a 1L paid summer job already (I'm a 0L right now) in the field in which I'd like to practice after graduation. It's through my law school (as I understand it, it's through an on-campus clinic), and I'll have the opportunity to gain a ton of experience doing pro-bono work alongside practicing attorneys in the field. All decisions were based on application criteria and interest in the specific area.

I could have held out and applied for 1L employment on my own, and hoped to get a paid job at a firm doing something that interests me, but in all honesty, I think this is the best experience I'll be able to get that's suitable for my goals, and where I'd be paid in conjunction with learning what I'd like to learn (I have nothing against unpaid internships, but some money coming in is always nice).

Am I selling myself short? There is always a chance I could blow everyone out of the water 1st semester, and get a ridiculous firm job, but I don't want to give up something that's been offered to me just for being me. I also don't want to give it up, have one grade completely screw me for 1L employment, and then REALLY be up a creek without a paddle for OCI.

What are your thoughts?

You're getting paid for a 1L summer job in your field. Take it and run.

zanda wrote:You're getting paid for a 1L summer job in your field. Take it and run.

+1.

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PKSebben wrote:Dude, very unlikely you'll be a big swinging dick and land a 3100/week firm job ITE. Take the freakin' job.

OP here. I about died laughing when I read that. Thanks PK. Yeah, there always has to be a top 1% of the class who will perhaps get said paid 1L firm job, but there's 99% of the class that won't. I don't like my chances turning down this offer hahaha.

I think my worry is that I'm pigeon-holing myself. If I do work in the field I'm interested in now 1L summer, and then, I don't know, take some class that blows my mind and changes what I want to do completely, will I be screwed 2L summer/after graduation doing something so focused? Do firms really care WHAT you do 1L summer as long as you do SOMETHING and do it well?

Anonymous User wrote:

PKSebben wrote:Dude, very unlikely you'll be a big swinging dick and land a 3100/week firm job ITE. Take the freakin' job.

OP here. I about died laughing when I read that. Thanks PK. Yeah, there always has to be a top 1% of the class who will perhaps get said paid 1L firm job, but there's 99% of the class that won't. I don't like my chances turning down this offer hahaha.

I think my worry is that I'm pigeon-holing myself. If I do work in the field I'm interested in now 1L summer, and then, I don't know, take some class that blows my mind and changes what I want to do completely, will I be screwed 2L summer/after graduation doing something so focused? Do firms really care WHAT you do 1L summer as long as you do SOMETHING and do it well?

Dude - I think it depends on the type of employment you're talking about, and the school you go to. Can you spin the experience you'll get broadly so that it could appeal to employers in different areas (i.e. a Judge, a firm)? Does your school's OCI give you a realistic shot if you're not top 15%? So subjective, I'd say that any paying job is a good thing ITE. Especially if you think you're interested in the area. I'd say go for it, 1L paid gigs are haaaaard to come by these days.

Actually, you'd be surprised op at how little grades actually matter when you are talking about a paid 1L internship.

A'nold wrote:Actually, you'd be surprised op at how little grades actually matter when you are talking about a paid 1L internship.

But still don't gamble with an offer dangling in front of me?

Rezzzing this thread to pose this question:

Apply for 1L internships the day they become available, without grades, OR apply the moment your 1st semester grades come out, no matter the fact that this may be in late January?

My gut (ultimate source of wordly info) says that sooner is better, period. If that's the case, how do you make yourself stand out? Probably just a great cover letter?

A'nold: what did you mean by indicating that 1L grades don't matter (much) for a 1l internship? What does?