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Hello TLS,

Question about summer jobs this late in the game. I am currently a 1L at a T20 and was really lucky and was offered a clerkship with a US District Court, but I was hired in the weirdest way ever, (was barely interviewed/never met the judge/not in a location I have any desire to live) but I was happy to get the offer so I accepted it.

However, Big Fed is what I really want to do, and I just got an email asking if I am still interested in interviewing for an internship at one of the big gov agencies, the specific agency is like my #1 dream career goal. I know 1L summer jobs don't mean that much but is interviewing/possibly taking the Gov job even something I can consider? Or is that just absolutely out of the question? I've heard mixed things on last minute backing out situations; however, I don't want to piss off anyone off. If I just need to say no to the agency I will, just will be very hard.

I also wasn't sure if either one of those jobs would be significantly better or worse on a resume for wanting to apply to Gov Honors Programs/OCIs next year?


Thanks for any advice!

1L summer it doesn't matter very much. Your judicial internship will give you something to talk about during OCI. So would the summer gig at the federal agency. I don't know much about honors hiring, but I assume it would be slightly helpful to have previously interned at an agency if you later try to obtain an honors position at that agency. I'm sure others could give you better advice there.

You could try seeing if you could split summers between the two. Otherwise, if you have an internship offer from a judge, you really should take it and not disappoint.

There's no harm in interviewing. If you get an offer, then you have a decision to make. If not, at least you have the interview experience and likely a better idea of what work in said agency consists of, along with a potential contact down the road.