Research Assistant v. Real Job Forum

EgyptianPresident · Post by **EgyptianPresident** » Mon May 09, 2011 9:38 am

Was wondering for my 1L summer, I have a job in the criminal justice dept with the state I want to work in, but also a RA'ship with my crim law professor. Was simply wondering what would look better on a resume or would help me open more doors in my desired field (crim law).

seatown12 · Post by **seatown12** » Mon May 09, 2011 11:17 am

What would you be doing at the state job? That fact that it is in your target market is a huge plus.

If you want to go into crim law you are going to need to get real world experience to be competitive. An RA position is maybe the worst thing you could do, other than nothing. If you go that route this summer you better get a job that involves trial work as a 2L and do a clinic at some point.

Also start thinking about whether you want prosecution or defense.

EgyptianPresident · Post by **EgyptianPresident** » Mon May 09, 2011 11:22 am

the AG position would be pretty writing/research heavy but I'd get to work on specific cases and attend trials fairly often.

forty-two · Post by **forty-two** » Mon May 09, 2011 11:24 am

If you can only pick one, I'd do the criminal justice job because employers tend to prefer real legal work experience is being an RA. However, since an RA'ship is a great way to get recommendations from professors later on, is there any way you could do both over the summer? At least at my school RA'ships are part time, so most RAs I know are also working part time for a judge or government agency over the summer.

EgyptianPresident · Post by **EgyptianPresident** » Mon May 09, 2011 11:33 am

different cities so its one or the other

forty-two · Post by **forty-two** » Mon May 09, 2011 11:44 am

EgyptianPresident wrote:different cities so its one or the other

Then I'd def do the one with the criminal justice department.

EgyptianPresident · Post by **EgyptianPresident** » Mon May 09, 2011 12:11 pm

thanks for your advice, I figured it would be better to get the real world experience, just needed to hear the reasoning from someone else

vamedic03 · Post by **vamedic03** » Mon May 09, 2011 7:48 pm

EgyptianPresident wrote:Was wondering for my 1L summer, I have a job in the criminal justice dept with the state I want to work in, but also a RA'ship with my crim law professor. Was simply wondering what would look better on a resume or would help me open more doors in my desired field (crim law).

School? Grades?

If you're at a T14 with top grades, then do the RA position to build a connection with the prof for a clerkship rec.

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