SA position in non-target market vs. unpaid in target market
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:52 am
I am about to start at a top 50 school in California w/ some ties (undergrad + related contacts), but grew up and have strong connectons in a very different market back east.
I want to end up in [California market] permanently (and not in [home city]) for various reasons, but due to meh status of the school and uncertainty about what my grades will be, I've kept in close contact with lawyers/firms back home with the intent on applying for 1L SA positions there. The ultimate goal, of course, is 2L SA postion + at least possibility of an offer in [target market].
I am much more likely to get one of these jobs in [home city] than a comparable one in the competitive market where my school is. So my question is- if I was to be an SA at a firm with a presence in the South/East after 1L, what bearing would that have on 2L SA hiring in California? Hinder because it would appear that I was scheming to go back east? Hinder because it would look like I couldn't get a postion in [target market] so I had to rely on hustling w/ prior connections? Help because I would have the SA recs/experience even if it was in the "wrong" market (and likely be in lieu of an unpaid position, research assistant job, etc in [target market])? Not make any difference at all because it was after 1L?
I know it's a bit soon to be worrying about this, but I'm trying to wrap my mind around it now because the firms I'm referring to have due dates right after Thanksgiving and I know that will come really quickly after the school year gets hectic.
Edited to change: I am a 0L until the middle of August and was creepily working on my CV during my lunch hour and wondering about this. I understand you're not supposed to post in this forum as a 0L but the question will still be relevant when I am a 1L shortly. I don't mind deleting the question and posting it again then or whatever
I want to end up in [California market] permanently (and not in [home city]) for various reasons, but due to meh status of the school and uncertainty about what my grades will be, I've kept in close contact with lawyers/firms back home with the intent on applying for 1L SA positions there. The ultimate goal, of course, is 2L SA postion + at least possibility of an offer in [target market].
I am much more likely to get one of these jobs in [home city] than a comparable one in the competitive market where my school is. So my question is- if I was to be an SA at a firm with a presence in the South/East after 1L, what bearing would that have on 2L SA hiring in California? Hinder because it would appear that I was scheming to go back east? Hinder because it would look like I couldn't get a postion in [target market] so I had to rely on hustling w/ prior connections? Help because I would have the SA recs/experience even if it was in the "wrong" market (and likely be in lieu of an unpaid position, research assistant job, etc in [target market])? Not make any difference at all because it was after 1L?
I know it's a bit soon to be worrying about this, but I'm trying to wrap my mind around it now because the firms I'm referring to have due dates right after Thanksgiving and I know that will come really quickly after the school year gets hectic.
Edited to change: I am a 0L until the middle of August and was creepily working on my CV during my lunch hour and wondering about this. I understand you're not supposed to post in this forum as a 0L but the question will still be relevant when I am a 1L shortly. I don't mind deleting the question and posting it again then or whatever