General Employment Strategy Advice (DC and Pittsburgh)
Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 11:17 am
I'm posting as anonymous in case someone were to link some of my older posts together to identify me, and I have some resumes out there, and I have specific goals, work experience and such.
First of all, my top priority is a job when I graduate--I'm not above working at a Pizza Hut to make ends meat if I need to do so. For family reasons, I really would like to work in DC or Western Pennsylvania (it's not worth explaining why those two markets). To the extent it is helpful, I grew up in Western PA and have good connections there, in general.
As for me, I just finished my 2nd year at a T25 school. I transferred-in. Currently, I have between a 3.75-3.8 cumulative GPA, top 5-10 percent. I have actually done better at my transferred-into school. I mostly missed-out on OCIs. I worked as a law clerk at firm with a lot of good work and responsibility during my first summer (before I had to move), worked in a congressional committee counsel's office during the school year, and this summer I'm working for a big federal agency in line with some of the law practice I like to do. I went to a good undergrad, graduated with a little less than a 4.0 there, and worked overseas with a federal agency and in a Congressional office--to the extent such things still matter. In general, I've studied regulatory/administrative law, corporate law, and securities law. I wrote onto a journal. The clerkship person at my school seems to think I'd do well with that, and I've been applying, but I think that office tends to over-sell that stuff, so I'm definitely not even remotely counting on that.
My dream job would be to work at a big firm in Pittsburgh, but I imagine that ship has sailed. Having said that, I would really just like to work at a firm in Pittsburgh or DC, no matter the size. Administrative law or regulated-industry work would be my favorite, but frankly, I enjoy doing anything law related.
I know I have a little time still, but I would just like any suggestions on how to plan my path forward? I would even reapply to Summer Associate work in Pittsburgh if that ever even happens. Bottom line--I would love to work as an attorney, but number one priority is employment. Any strategy advice from people who've been through it?
First of all, my top priority is a job when I graduate--I'm not above working at a Pizza Hut to make ends meat if I need to do so. For family reasons, I really would like to work in DC or Western Pennsylvania (it's not worth explaining why those two markets). To the extent it is helpful, I grew up in Western PA and have good connections there, in general.
As for me, I just finished my 2nd year at a T25 school. I transferred-in. Currently, I have between a 3.75-3.8 cumulative GPA, top 5-10 percent. I have actually done better at my transferred-into school. I mostly missed-out on OCIs. I worked as a law clerk at firm with a lot of good work and responsibility during my first summer (before I had to move), worked in a congressional committee counsel's office during the school year, and this summer I'm working for a big federal agency in line with some of the law practice I like to do. I went to a good undergrad, graduated with a little less than a 4.0 there, and worked overseas with a federal agency and in a Congressional office--to the extent such things still matter. In general, I've studied regulatory/administrative law, corporate law, and securities law. I wrote onto a journal. The clerkship person at my school seems to think I'd do well with that, and I've been applying, but I think that office tends to over-sell that stuff, so I'm definitely not even remotely counting on that.
My dream job would be to work at a big firm in Pittsburgh, but I imagine that ship has sailed. Having said that, I would really just like to work at a firm in Pittsburgh or DC, no matter the size. Administrative law or regulated-industry work would be my favorite, but frankly, I enjoy doing anything law related.
I know I have a little time still, but I would just like any suggestions on how to plan my path forward? I would even reapply to Summer Associate work in Pittsburgh if that ever even happens. Bottom line--I would love to work as an attorney, but number one priority is employment. Any strategy advice from people who've been through it?