Minority program at big firm or USAO internship? Forum

[dunkin]

I've been offered an unpaid spring internship at the USAO and also have options to work at a big firm through a diversity program (with a pretty significant scholarship). I've literally been wrestling with this decision for weeks. My question goes out to the potential employers out there, because I know neither of these options have long-term hiring potential: Which should I pick? Does putting "diversity intern" for a big firm on my resume look bad? Like all law students, I could use the scholarship.

[dunkin]

I should add that I'd ideally like to get into *paid* government/pi work, but am finding that it's ridiculously competitive (like everything these days). And I struck out at OCI so will likely never experience biglaw without this opportunity.

[ggocat]

What did you do 1L? Do you have anything else on your resume to display interest in government/PI?

Regardless, I'd lean towards the large firm. You don't have to advertise that you were a "diversity hire" unless you want to. And are you 100% sure there's no long-term prospect with the firm?

[Anonymous User]

Go with the firm. See if you can do government during a term internship. You can always go to gov't after law school, but you can't go to a firm (easily) unless you were an SA. Doesn't matter how you were an SA, you just need that LLP on your resume.

[dunkin]

Thanks for the replies. It's not an SA position, just a spring program. So while I'm not 100% sure there's no long-term prospect, from what I understand, it's very rare. Hence, why I'd feel like I'd have to put "diversity intern" or something that distinguishes the program from a SA position -- so other employers don't get the idea that the long-term position was mine to lose.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the replies. It's not an SA position, just a spring program. So while I'm not 100% sure there's no long-term prospect, from what I understand, it's very rare. Hence, why I'd feel like I'd have to put "diversity intern" or something that distinguishes the program from a SA position -- so other employers don't get the idea that the long-term position was mine to lose.

They will realize that on their own when they see it was a spring program.

A term-time USAO internship is cool, but available as a 3L too and not dispositive of your future government hiring chances. What are you doing 2L summer?