2L classes and prospective employers/job search Forum

[anonymcoffee]

so OCI did not go too well for me..aka not well at all.

I am looking over my schedule and taking evidence, corporations, a race seminar w/ a prof i adore, and one more class (not sure which).

Basically, I am below median and with no prior work experience - I want to take classes I like and that are easier to get a good grade on. How will employers look at this? I am mostly interested in litigation but not a clue about a specific field. I think having a good gpa is better than taking intense courses ...umm not sure. Any advice ...should I focus on substantive classes with a harder curve or something I like and is easier but not necessarily as appealing to employers?

[Bronx Bum]

Doesn't really matter at this point.

[anonymcoffee]

matters b/c i still dont have a job and will be looking for one all 2L. big law isn't end all and drop out for everyone on TLS

[Oban]

If you want to work for a PD/DA, take crim pro, evidence, and any relevant clinics.

If you want to work for a firm, it doesn't really matter what classes you take. Higher GPA is better, but grades matter little after 1L year. Take fun classes to keep up the morale. If you struck out at OCI, and your below median, Biglaw is essentially foreclosed to you, so taking classes like securities, corporations, white collar crime, etc will not be beneficial for most jobs you will be in the hunt for. Focus on getting experience(clinics, part time work) and networking. IF securities seems like fun, take it. But don't take specific classes thinking they will lead to a job better than your rank/GPA will get you.

[kalvano]

Higher GPA is better, but grades matter little after 1L year.

Actually, a lot of places I have been talking to have cut summer programs, and the recruiting people told me they would like to talk to me as a graduating 3L. Since they don't have SA programs, they will be hiring as needed from graduating classes.

It seems a lot of firms (smaller or more mid-size) are doing this, so grades after 1L now might actually matter. Just a thought.

[anonymcoffee]

yeah, the biglaw ship has sailed for me, so this whole year I will be looking for a job and applying to places. So I was wanting to improve my GPA b/c wherever I apply for a job even after graduation, I'll need to show my gpa. I was just worried that maybe employers may be turned off by the easier seminars, or hardcore classes.

thanks for the advice!

[Omerta]

yeah, the biglaw ship has sailed for me, so this whole year I will be looking for a job and applying to places. So I was wanting to improve my GPA b/c wherever I apply for a job even after graduation, I'll need to show my gpa. I was just worried that maybe employers may be turned off by the easier seminars, or hardcore classes.

thanks for the advice!

It can definitely be a turn-off if you're taking a bunch of "law and X" classes. I've had multiple interviewers tell me that sets off warning signals because the interviewee may not really be interested in the type of work a firm does or gives the impression the student is avoiding working hard. Then again, I bet a lot of interviewers probably don't look at your upcoming classes or unofficial transcript.

[anonymcoffee]

Hmm, I see - I'll keep it in mind. Right now I have evidence, corporations, and a seminar on diversity, racism in the law. I plan on taking another course and was thinking maybe doing something like crim law procedure or something I'd like - but didn't want to take securities, or admin law at least just not right now. But I'll try to find a balance that helps the gpa and not a lot of blow off classes either.

[keg411]

You don't need to take securities or admin or the seminar. For a small law career, you should be taking classes like insurance, family law, every criminal procedure class possible, Elder Law, trusts & estates, med-mal/products liability/advanced torts, trial advocacy, pre-trial advocacy, advanced legal writing, any clinics you can get into, etc.

[Bronx Bum]

If you want to work for a PD/DA, take crim pro, evidence, and any relevant clinics.

If you want to work for a firm, it doesn't really matter what classes you take. Higher GPA is better, but grades matter little after 1L year. Take fun classes to keep up the morale. If you struck out at OCI, and your below median, Biglaw is essentially foreclosed to you, so taking classes like securities, corporations, white collar crime, etc will not be beneficial for most jobs you will be in the hunt for. Focus on getting experience(clinics, part time work) and networking. IF securities seems like fun, take it. But don't take specific classes thinking they will lead to a job better than your rank/GPA will get you.

Truth is: Most small law firms will not care at all about your gpa (unless it's embarrassing) or what classes you took. They will look at how much business you could potentially bring in, how good looking you are, how likely you are to make thier lives easier by handling your shit from the get-go.

Do stuff that will improve those skills.

[anonymcoffee]

thanks! my gpa went up a bit more after my summer courses so I am closer now to median but still below. I'll stop stressing about classes and pick ones I like, and are interesting/helpful ie evidence