Advice for 1L Summer Needed
Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 9:49 pm
I've been an avid reader of TLS for a long time and now that I am transitioning from my current job to law school, I know I can turn to you all for advice without getting yelled at to not go to law school.
I work in an industry that I love dearly and hope to continue in after I complete my JD. I have spent the last couple years building quite a strong network (I worked closely with outside counsel - name a big firm, we're probably a client - so I had easy access to them) which I hope to utilize when it comes to job hunting.
To work in said industry in the capacity that I would like, unfortunately I do really need Big Law for at least a couple years before I can transition back. So this is where my questions come in.... A few partners in my network have encouraged me to apply to their summer programs and have told me who else to contact at other firms, etc., BUT I feel like they may be a bit out of touch. From what I've always understood, summer programs are geared towards 2Ls. I'll apply anyway but what else should I be focused on? Should I be focused on getting an in-house gig (my company has one geared towards 1Ls so I am sure I can arrange for something similar at other places), aim for a random smaller firm, work on an Alpaca farm? My goal is to have a strong 1L summer in preparation for 2L summer.
A little about me in case it helps guide answers - accepted to a strong regional school, weak undergrad record with an upward trend, very strong WE (the company is the Cravath/Goldman Sachs of the industry), and a strong network of people that are willing to make the introductions/give recs/make calls/take me to industry events with them.
Thanks in advance.
I work in an industry that I love dearly and hope to continue in after I complete my JD. I have spent the last couple years building quite a strong network (I worked closely with outside counsel - name a big firm, we're probably a client - so I had easy access to them) which I hope to utilize when it comes to job hunting.
To work in said industry in the capacity that I would like, unfortunately I do really need Big Law for at least a couple years before I can transition back. So this is where my questions come in.... A few partners in my network have encouraged me to apply to their summer programs and have told me who else to contact at other firms, etc., BUT I feel like they may be a bit out of touch. From what I've always understood, summer programs are geared towards 2Ls. I'll apply anyway but what else should I be focused on? Should I be focused on getting an in-house gig (my company has one geared towards 1Ls so I am sure I can arrange for something similar at other places), aim for a random smaller firm, work on an Alpaca farm? My goal is to have a strong 1L summer in preparation for 2L summer.
A little about me in case it helps guide answers - accepted to a strong regional school, weak undergrad record with an upward trend, very strong WE (the company is the Cravath/Goldman Sachs of the industry), and a strong network of people that are willing to make the introductions/give recs/make calls/take me to industry events with them.
Thanks in advance.