Jobs Between Undergrad and Law School Forum

[HopeyDopey]

Good Evening TLS folks,

I need advice from current/prospective law students and/or legal professionals. I want a job in the 5-6 months before I start law school. Preferably one which could be a useful talking point in an interview, but primarily one that would be respectful and representative of my academic accomplishments. I am sure that there are many people who have been in this situation. I'd prefer not to work in retail or be a clerk. That being said, I am not so sure there are many options for people like me. Any ideas?

[Good Guy Gaud]

Why don't you try to clerk/work for a local law firm in some capacity?

[HopeyDopey]

@Good Guy Gaud

Thanks for the reply! That's a great idea. I'll keep this post open if anyone else has thoughts to add for me/other folks.

[TheSpanishMain]

Did you just graduate from undergrad? If so, plan to work at least 2-3 years, not five months. It is infinitely better to have substantive work experience when you're going through the legal hiring process, and 5 months isn't long enough for you to put anything interesting on your resume. Don't be in a rush.

[HopeyDopey]

@TheSpanishMain

1) Your name and profile pic are awesome.

2) That's true, but I've already and been accepted at one school and I am committed to start law school in 2016.

[smile0751]

5-6 months is still the honeymoon phase with jobs, and people know that. Still it's better than nothing. What's your background and what other jobs have you had?

[totesTheGoat]

That's true, but I've already and been accepted at one school and I am committed to start law school in 2016.

It doesn't really matter what job you take for 5-6 months. Find something that is relatively low stress and will give you enough beer money to enjoy life until law school starts. Even if you were to get a "talking point" job, only having 5-6 months experience at it is not going to get you anywhere.

[zot1]

Dude, take time off. It'll be lovely.

[Duggiiee]

Did you just graduate from undergrad? If so, plan to work at least 2-3 years, not five months. It is infinitely better to have substantive work experience when you're going through the legal hiring process, and 5 months isn't long enough for you to put anything interesting on your resume. Don't be in a rush.

This is key. I took time off, worked for a private firm and now for the DOJ for ~ 3 years. I have a lot of savings pocketed away, good work experience, and a letter of rec if I want it. Plus, you mature!

That said, if you only have 5-6 months it might be hard to find a position. Most jobs don't really get good work out of you until after you settle down, beyond that period.

[HopeyDopey]

I'll probably just go get a goofy job somewhere. I agree that it is unlikely that 6 months of experience would really become a big talking point if I did get interviewed/waitlisted. I have a lot of softs on my resume/applications already. Balancing out making money with a fun part-time job is probably the way to go. Anybody know of super chill places to work?

Ideas:

-Movie theater (worked at one before, I know the managwment and they might make a manager)
-Gamestop
-Moviestop
-Bookstore
-Bakery
-Ice Cream Stores (Bruster's, Baskin Robbins, etc.)
-Chuck E. Cheese
-Lego Store

Has anyone worked at any of these places or knows someone who has worked at one of them? Any other ideas? Please discuss. Once again, fun jobs to earn a little money before school in the fall.

[cheaptilts]

there are tons of K-JDs that do well at OCI, but I would suggest taking a year off and actually working prior to entering law school. You'll just set yourself up so much better. I worked full-time during undergrad and ~9 months post-grad in literally entry-level retail banking and I still think that by itself helped alot with 1L (paid) gigs and 2L OCI