Length of Summer Jobs Forum

[ZipWhenSheMoves]

During your 1L and 2L summers, how long do summer jobs usually last? Summer "break" seems to be about 3 months, similar to undergrad- are jobs generally for about 2 months of that (ex. June and July), longer, shorter? I'm sure it depends somewhat, but thank you in advance for any insight!

[JustHawkin]

Good question. Also curious!

[northwood]

it depends on the firm.

[rinkrat19]

10 weeks and 12 weeks seem to be pretty common, for firms and govt/non-profits.

[nouseforaname123]

Really depends on the specific employer(s) and a school's academic calendar. Some have programs that are six weeks long. Others can go as long as twelve weeks, but only ask you to be there a minimum of six weeks. Others may ask you to stay for the full twelve weeks. Some employers may only host during the first half of the summer, others during the second half, and others may host for the entire summer.

As a summer associate, I was able to work for one firm for 7 weeks and then a second firm for 6 weeks, for 13 total weeks of paid work in one summer.

[shock259]

Most big firms seem to do 10-12 weeks, but there seems to be some flexibility.

[horriblegb]

As for me, both of my summer jobs blended in with the school years and continued part time. One was research assitant and the other was govt.

[Winston1984]

Another questions for you guys, how does it work if your summer associate position is in another city? For example, a UMich bro taking a SA in NYC. How do you get an apartment for 3 months? Plus you still have to pay rent on your place in Ann Arbor. Logistically it seems very difficult to be able to really save much money from a SA position, unless I am missing something.

[rinkrat19]

Another questions for you guys, how does it work if your summer associate position is in another city? For example, a UMich bro taking a SA in NYC. How do you get an apartment for 3 months? Plus you still have to pay rent on your place in Ann Arbor. Logistically it seems very difficult to be able to really save much money from a SA position, unless I am missing something.

Subletting.

Also, if you have an SA that's paying something in the $20k-$30k range, cry me a river if you can't find a subletter and have to spend a little bit more of that ridiculous (and largely unearned) cash on rent. Have some sympathy for those us with unpaid government jobs in another city. We manage somehow; so should someone with a SA.

[jn7]

Another questions for you guys, how does it work if your summer associate position is in another city? For example, a UMich bro taking a SA in NYC. How do you get an apartment for 3 months? Plus you still have to pay rent on your place in Ann Arbor. Logistically it seems very difficult to be able to really save much money from a SA position, unless I am missing something.

Subletting.

Also, if you have an SA that's paying something in the $20k-$30k range, cry me a river if you can't find a subletter and have to spend a little bit more of that ridiculous (and largely unearned) cash on rent. Have some sympathy for those us with unpaid government jobs in another city. We manage somehow; so should someone with a SA.

What I wouldn't give for like $20k right now...a couple days ago I was celebrating the ~$2k credit we get back on taxes for tuition and thinking "there's no END to the possibilities!"

[twenty 8]

As noted most are 10 weeks, some 12. I was given the opportunity to work during the entire summer but I opted to take a 2 week vacation break so mine was closer to 14 weeks.

[Winston1984]

Another questions for you guys, how does it work if your summer associate position is in another city? For example, a UMich bro taking a SA in NYC. How do you get an apartment for 3 months? Plus you still have to pay rent on your place in Ann Arbor. Logistically it seems very difficult to be able to really save much money from a SA position, unless I am missing something.

Subletting.

Also, if you have an SA that's paying something in the $20k-$30k range, cry me a river if you can't find a subletter and have to spend a little bit more of that ridiculous (and largely unearned) cash on rent. Have some sympathy for those us with unpaid government jobs in another city. We manage somehow; so should someone with a SA.

I didn't mean to offend, just an 0L here curious about the situation.

[Blessedassurance]

Another questions for you guys, how does it work if your summer associate position is in another city? For example, a UMich bro taking a SA in NYC. How do you get an apartment for 3 months? Plus you still have to pay rent on your place in Ann Arbor. Logistically it seems very difficult to be able to really save much money from a SA position, unless I am missing something.

Subletting.

Also, if you have an SA that's paying something in the $20k-$30k range, cry me a river if you can't find a subletter and have to spend a little bit more of that ridiculous (and largely unearned) cash on rent

yeah, especially with the ridiculously low law school tuition these days.

[094320]

..

[Blessedassurance]

Another questions for you guys, how does it work if your summer associate position is in another city? For example, a UMich bro taking a SA in NYC. How do you get an apartment for 3 months? Plus you still have to pay rent on your place in Ann Arbor. Logistically it seems very difficult to be able to really save much money from a SA position, unless I am missing something.

Subletting.

Also, if you have an SA that's paying something in the $20k-$30k range, cry me a river if you can't find a subletter and have to spend a little bit more of that ridiculous (and largely unearned) cash on rent

yeah, especially with the ridiculously low law school tuition these days.

Considering the pretty high cost of rent a lot of law students have to pay because of where their law schools are located (e.g. Manhattan, Cambridge, etc.), and the pretty ridiculous COL in NYC, paying double rent over the summer would be fairly painful even with SA money.

I was being sarcastic.

[rinkrat19]

Another questions for you guys, how does it work if your summer associate position is in another city? For example, a UMich bro taking a SA in NYC. How do you get an apartment for 3 months? Plus you still have to pay rent on your place in Ann Arbor. Logistically it seems very difficult to be able to really save much money from a SA position, unless I am missing something.

Subletting.

Also, if you have an SA that's paying something in the $20k-$30k range, cry me a river if you can't find a subletter and have to spend a little bit more of that ridiculous (and largely unearned) cash on rent

yeah, especially with the ridiculously low law school tuition these days.

Oddly, it's not any cheaper for people going into PI.

[Birdnals]

Guys, rink is going into public interest so fuck off for trying to save money. Fuck off super hard.

[girlrunning]

Southern markets tend to do/encourage split summers. Normally, it's a minimum of six weeks at each. If your summer is longer and the firm's summer program is not six exactly six weeks, you get to choose if you want an extra week or two at the firm.

[094320]

..

[POTUS2044]

I will have 10 days after 2nd semester before my SA starts, and 2 days (so just a weekend) afterwards before job fairs+OCI. This seems to be fairly typical.

[Clearly]

Aside from the financial rent aspect, places offer 3 month leases? Never signed a lease for less than a year personally.

[rinkrat19]

Aside from the financial rent aspect, places offer 3 month leases? Never signed a lease for less than a year personally.

Sublet from another student who needs to be elsewhere for the summer.

[Mack.Hambleton]

Aside from the financial rent aspect, places offer 3 month leases? Never signed a lease for less than a year personally.

you never subletted in college?

[Clearly]

Aside from the financial rent aspect, places offer 3 month leases? Never signed a lease for less than a year personally.

you never subletted in college?

noap.

[ZipWhenSheMoves]

Thank you everyone for all your input so far- I really appreciate hearing everyone's perspective. I'm going to add a poll for current students to see if there's any kind of consensus on whether people did have a break before/after their summer jobs.

Some people have also already made note of this, but did you find that when interviewing for positions that firms/offices were flexible for when the job was, or was it already determined when you were applying?

Thanks All!