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I am 1L who received an offer for the summer from a NLJ 250 firm in my hometown market (secondary market). I am currently 20/80 on wanting to end up in this market vs. trying to be somewhere else (notably Chicago or DC). My grades put me close to median at MVP.

Question is, do I hurt my chances of going to one of these other markets by taking the position in my hometown market this summer? Specifically, would a PI or other non-paying job in one of the markets I more likely want to end up in be better than going home for the summer?

Thanks

Going to a secondary market for your 1L year does not hurt your ability to go to Chicago or DC for your 2L summer. However, if you want to end up in a secondary market, going there for your 1L year shows to potential employers that you're committed to that secondary marker. Major markets like NY, Chicago, DC don't ask too many questions about ties - they know you're going there because they are big legal markets.

I say take the paying 1L job and run.

It might be a marginal benefit to work in Chicago/DC and show commitment, but that benefit is nowhere close to the 20k+ you will make at the firm. Take the money for sure.

Plus your grades aren't really good enough to feel great about either market, so you want to go into OCI with a job in your pocket even if in your dream scenario you might want to be elsewhere.