OCC vs. NYC gov 2L summer - Help?? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Basically, I accepted a NYC state level government position and this afternoon received an offer from the OCC for a legal internship in D.C.

1. How bad is it to renege? I accepted NYC position about 2 weeks ago and have been in communication regarding start dates, etc.

2. Neither turn into jobs, but which one will better help lead to a job 3L? Is the OCC a huge catch? I will be working in an interesting field in the NYC agency, while in D.C I'd be doing financial regulation work.

3. Is NYC better because I can at least network throughout the summer? One person I talked to thought the OCC was the "clear choice," but my adviser did not think there was a huge difference and also had some strong ethical/reputation concerns about backing out of the NYC position.

Please lend me your wisdom. I don't know what to do. I'm at a T-13, both would make me the same amount of money (through PI funding).

[2013]

Are you trying to get a fed job after? If not, I don’t think it makes a huge difference. You’ll be able to network with more fed people in DC, but if you’re not set on fed, not worth burning bridges.

[BeeTeeZ]

I will be working in an interesting field in the NYC agency.

Let me guess, data privacy?

[Anonymous User]

I interned at the OCC as a 1L. It would be the obvious choice if you eventually want to work in the Federal govt in any regulatory capacity. I met a lot of people as an intern that summer and had a couple of managers who would have vouched for me if I had wanted to come back as a full-time attorney after law school. It's also a great agency in terms of benefits/pay/etc. if you want to try and stay there long-term.

If you don't want to work in the federal government, I think it's a wash. If you want to work in NY long-term, stick with the NY position.

[Anonymous User]

I interned at the OCC as a 1L. It would be the obvious choice if you eventually want to work in the Federal govt in any regulatory capacity. I met a lot of people as an intern that summer and had a couple of managers who would have vouched for me if I had wanted to come back as a full-time attorney after law school. It's also a great agency in terms of benefits/pay/etc. if you want to try and stay there long-term.

If you don't want to work in the federal government, I think it's a wash. If you want to work in NY long-term, stick with the NY position.

Thanks for the response, helped a lot with the decision... Stuck with NY, hope it was the right choice.