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I knew my 1L grades were not the best but my career advisor seemed optimistic about my job chances. (I'm bilingual, minority candidate, and at a T-20)

However, as of today I still have not found a job. I went on an interview last week and I have one tomorrow but if those fall through .

Any advice on what to do in my situation? I didn't imagine that my 1L summer would be like this

I understand why you're anxious and upset, but you should relax.

First, 1L Summer jobs are not that important. Also, with the exception of law firms that hire 1L SAs, first semester grades are generally not a significant factor for 1L summer employers. There's no reason for you to feel insecure or defensive about your grades during your job search.

I went to a "top" law school, and I had a bunch of friends who didn't have jobs at this point. Come to think of it, I don't think I landed my 1L summer job until early April.

Just keep your ears open and keep applying to things. You'll be fine.

What all are you applying for? Big firms, small firms?

Does your school do RA jobs for professors during the summer? This is probably a safe-ish job to fall back on if firms/government/judge don't bite for you.

Apply to small firms. I also went to a T20, had top 15% grades, didn't get a job. Applied to small firms, landed a gig pretty late (April, I think) that was actually super awesome and paid $19/hr. It was just a small 2 attorney firm that ended up being very humane and netted good experience. That being said, I know small shops are a crapshoot. Don't let your classmates discourage you into thinking hope is lost because you didn't get an externship with a BK judge.

I had two friends from my T14 who didn't get summer internships till the beginning of summer vacation practically (or rather, around finals week). One got an in house gig at a major tech firm, the other got one with a federal agency. Post-grad, they were both working in biglaw.

It can feel very discouraging now but as long as you keep doing what you should be doing things will end up okay. Try to ignore your peers right now and keep your chin up.

Also, not sure if this is relevant to your job search but since you brought it up, I'm a minority, as are the friends I mentioned above. I think I got my 1L summer internship in March after spring break, too.

Doesn't your school have some sort of clinic that takes a bunch of people over the summer? I thought that was typical at schools. Just apply there and they'll take you.

Now is when you get freaked out and start really applying. I was in your position and had two offers a couple weeks from now. I ended up with a ridiculously good paid in house job. Just apply to everything. In fairness to you I think where you are at now was the singular most stressful part of law school for me

Easterbork wrote:Now is when you get freaked out and start really applying. I was in your position and had two offers a couple weeks from now. I ended up with a ridiculously good paid in house job. Just apply to everything. In fairness to you I think where you are at now was the singular most stressful part of law school for me

This. Stay positive and consider to reaching out to your CDO. I got a job early on my 1L year, but some people who waited got some really good stuff (better than mine).

You will be fine. I know many people who did not secure something until late April. A few of them worked for federal district judges; if you have not started applying to intern with all of your local judges, I would do so. It is not paid, but a great thing to have on your resume during OCI.