Should I split my summer? Forum

[Anonymous User]

1L at T25 ~top 40th percentile GPA (so, "medianpwnd").

Public Defender's Office:
This job is in a small town an hour outside of my dream market (which is a secondary market and somewhat insular). I don't want to become a public defender after I graduate. I want to work at a firm, possibly not even doing litigation. However, I would love to be able to spend the summer networking in the city (and even in the small town). I don't know any lawyers in this market, but Career Services gave me a big list and offered to do introductions (few people from my school go to this market). Unfortunately, this market is pretty competitive, so my grades may not be able to get me a 2L job or a job after graduation at a good firm in this market. I know a 3L who is going to one of the desirable firms in this market, and her grades are more like top 20%.

Law Firm:
This job is more in line with what I want to do when I graduate. It's at the best firm in my small hometown (pop. 250,000). I don't really want to go back there after I graduate, but if it's the only place where I can get a good job, I have no problem with it (however, I would just apply to all the firms in my dream market after a year or two). This market is in a bit of a law school dead zone. They never get anyone from my school (which isn't all that far away), so I may have an easy time turning this 1L SA into a 2L SA and permanent offer.

Is it worth it to split the summer, or should I go "all in" for my dream market? Career Services told me to just do the PD office. They told me that the extra time spend networking in that market is more valuable than difference in money (only a few thousand dollar difference between the two) or experience. I have heard that Career Services sometimes doesn't know what it's talking about, so I'm just looking for a second opinion.

[shepdawg]

Is the law firm job paid?

[3ThrowAway99]

Is the law firm job paid?

+1. And more than 12 bucks per hour? if not, I personally think I'd be inclined to just focus on the Public Def job; it will be great experience and having only one job will prob keep things simple.

[Anonymous User]

OP here.

1L SA is paid, but I would get a stipend if I work for the PD. The difference would only be $3-4k, and money isn't a huge concern for the summer (I have some money saved up and my family can help, so I'll live comfortably this summer either way). I'm more concerned with making the right move for my career long term.

[Grizz]

Try to figure out without being threatening what the firm's thoughts on splitting are. If they seem amenable, go ahead. If not, take the firm. Anything that might lead to a permanent offer > anything that won't.

[gbpackerbacker]

I voted split, but I wanted to vote for the firm straight up...