Career Advice Forum

[Anonymous User]

2015 grad here, from a school in that is safely Tier 1, but nothing special. Above median grades, but again, nothing special. In December 2015, I accepted a fellowship with a non-profit. At that point, I was desperate for employment and they paid well. It was also an area I had interest in and knowledge about. I started in January. The fellowship is scheduled to last through the end of October - I am concerned about being stuck in a lease, 1000 miles from my "safety net," with student loans and a need for regular income without a job when the fellowship ends.

Okay, so I recently came across an opportunity with a public interest organization that was too good to pass up applying for. So I applied, thinking there was no way I'd get an interview. It was for a permanent position (in my current market) doing direct representation in the same field that I've been working in. I'd much prefer to do direct representation and this is something I could see myself doing long term. However, in the interview I was informed that the job would likely start in the end of May and that they cannot wait until November (totally understandable, and I knew that going in, but I never thought I'd even get an interview).

If I get the job, which is looking pretty good since they only interviewed a couple of people and already called my references, I will have to make a decision on what to do. What are your thoughts? Ditch the temp gig before the end (they have a new fellow starting Sept. 1)? Or pass up a huge opportunity at an organization that has little turnover and is never hiring? How will this impact my career long term?

[Anonymous User]

what are you doing at the fellowship? is it the kind of thing where you'll be royally screwing other people if you leave (i.e. client representation) or just a research project? did you sign a commitment to stay for the entire year?

[magnum_law]

Enjoy reneging

[treeey86]

You are an attorney. This isnt some summer gig you got as a 1L and your career services office is gonna get mad if you reneg on a previous offer. You are a professional now and this is your career. You should be thinking long-term. If you get the offer you ditch the fellowship, accept the offer, start the next phase of your professional career, and dont think twice about it.

The fellowship gave you a break early in your career and gave you a job/opportunity. That's great and im sure it will be tough leaving early. But you gotta look out for your career and they will understand you leaving early is a business/career decision.