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Summer time dilemma
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 4:44 pm
by Anonymous User
Have an externship lined up with an agency I'd really like to work for but, let's be honest, they're never going to hire me. Would be terrific experience and I would get a lot of autonomy, but I would be paying for this autonomy.
On the other hand, I know a firm that's looking for a PART TIME employee. Would be paying and is in the area I'm ultimately looking to practice in, but part time wtf
What do I do? How bad would it be to pull out of the externship so close to the start date (assuming I got the gig at the firm) when there is a high degree of certainty that I would be appearing before the agency as part of my work for the firm?
Re: Summer time dilemma
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 4:55 pm
by ph14
Anonymous User wrote:Have an externship lined up with an agency I'd really like to work for but, let's be honest, they're never going to hire me. Would be terrific experience and I would get a lot of autonomy, but I would be paying for this autonomy.
On the other hand, I know a firm that's looking for a PART TIME employee. Would be paying and is in the area I'm ultimately looking to practice in, but part time wtf
What do I do? How bad would it be to pull out of the externship so close to the start date (assuming I got the gig at the firm) when there is a high degree of certainty that I would be appearing before the agency as part of my work for the firm?
Are we talking like 5 hours part time or 20-30 hours "part time"? Or do you not know?
Re: Summer time dilemma
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:01 pm
by Anonymous User
ph14 wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Have an externship lined up with an agency I'd really like to work for but, let's be honest, they're never going to hire me. Would be terrific experience and I would get a lot of autonomy, but I would be paying for this autonomy.
On the other hand, I know a firm that's looking for a PART TIME employee. Would be paying and is in the area I'm ultimately looking to practice in, but part time wtf
What do I do? How bad would it be to pull out of the externship so close to the start date (assuming I got the gig at the firm) when there is a high degree of certainty that I would be appearing before the agency as part of my work for the firm?
Are we talking like 5 hours part time or 20-30 hours "part time"? Or do you not know?
estimated to be 25ish
Re: Summer time dilemma
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:04 pm
by ph14
Anonymous User wrote:ph14 wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Have an externship lined up with an agency I'd really like to work for but, let's be honest, they're never going to hire me. Would be terrific experience and I would get a lot of autonomy, but I would be paying for this autonomy.
On the other hand, I know a firm that's looking for a PART TIME employee. Would be paying and is in the area I'm ultimately looking to practice in, but part time wtf
What do I do? How bad would it be to pull out of the externship so close to the start date (assuming I got the gig at the firm) when there is a high degree of certainty that I would be appearing before the agency as part of my work for the firm?
Are we talking like 5 hours part time or 20-30 hours "part time"? Or do you not know?
estimated to be 25ish
And any idea of the pay? I would be inclined to take the paying position, especially if there is a possibility it could lead to post-graduation employment, and it is in the area you want to practice in, meaning it should provide you some great experience (which is beneficial in interviews going forward). I don't think reneging on your unpaid externship would be a huge deal (especially since it is an agency and not, say, a judge).
Re: Summer time dilemma
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:08 pm
by Anonymous User
Thank you. I appreciate your input.
Re: Summer time dilemma
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:47 pm
by Anonymous User
I renegged on an unpaid internship during 2L that had no potential for post grad employment (they were VERY clear about that, and it generally seemed like a terrible place to work). I took a paid position somewhere that I knew I would be very happy for a summer, even though I was 99% sure it wouldn't turn into a post grad offer. Now I'm a 3L with a post grad offer there, and I would not have regretted that decision even if it didn't turn into an offer. If you do decide to go that route, communicate your situation with your contact at the agency and its very likely they will understand. If they don't understand, you will still be fine. You are in law school to get a job, and they wouldn't hesitate to reneg your unpaid internship offer if they decided they didn't want free help.