How did you choose your career path? Forum

[starsofthelidd]

I'm starting school at a T14 this fall.

I started researching law schools and legal careers about a decade ago, have been doing so on and off until I finally decided to go, and I'm at a point where I feel like all of that info is making it difficult for me to commit to a career path. This wouldn't be a huge issue, but it seems like you need to know kind of early on in your law school career, so you can arrange your summers/externships, etc, to gain the experience relevant to the kind of job you want.

I originally thought I'd go right into PI, and do something at a federal agency in the area of labor and employment. I realized how difficult it is to get that kind of job straight out of school. So like many, my current plan is to go biglaw 3-5 years---> pay off loans (I have a half scholarship) ---> try for the fed gig. I am leaning toward litigation based on the different practice areas I've read about, but I'm worried that I won't have enough time in law school to figure out the best career path for me.

Just interested in hearing others' experiences with this. Did you commit to a career before starting law school? Or did you try to keep your options open, insofar as that's possible?

[zot1]

If you're going into biglaw, you don't get to commit to something. They assign you to the group that needs you. Sometimes this might be a group you want, often it won't be.

Don't skip something to play it safe. I wanted to work in environmental law, but got worried with all the "there are no jobs in environmental law" comments. As a result, I didn't take any environmental law classes. Guess what, I work in environmental law now and wish I had taken one of those classes.

[starsofthelidd]

Thanks for the response. My school has a good labor clinic from what I understand, so I suppose I'll need to do that since that's what drew me to law in the first place.

In other words, it seems like taking classes/clinics/externships in your area(s) of interest is always worth pursuing, even if you know you're gonna take a biglaw detour for a few years.

[zot1]

I mean, take as many corporate classes as you can, but you don't have to take them all. Mix in stuff that interests you.

FWIW biglaw firms usually have a labor practice defending companies.

[Lexaholik]

I'm starting school at a T14 this fall.

I started researching law schools and legal careers about a decade ago, have been doing so on and off until I finally decided to go, and I'm at a point where I feel like all of that info is making it difficult for me to commit to a career path. This wouldn't be a huge issue, but it seems like you need to know kind of early on in your law school career, so you can arrange your summers/externships, etc, to gain the experience relevant to the kind of job you want.

I originally thought I'd go right into PI, and do something at a federal agency in the area of labor and employment. I realized how difficult it is to get that kind of job straight out of school. So like many, my current plan is to go biglaw 3-5 years---> pay off loans (I have a half scholarship) ---> try for the fed gig. I am leaning toward litigation based on the different practice areas I've read about, but I'm worried that I won't have enough time in law school to figure out the best career path for me.

Just interested in hearing others' experiences with this. Did you commit to a career before starting law school? Or did you try to keep your options open, insofar as that's possible?

When I was 21, I decided that I wanted to be an AUSA. Seemed like a pretty awesome job, and everyone who's been one raves about it. I kept my blinders on and tried to commit to it throughout law school. But somewhere along the way I realized that being an AUSA just wasn't a good fit for my personality. (It took a lot of thinking and speaking to AUSAs and judges.)

A big part of the reason was that when I got older, I had a better understanding of my own strengths/weaknesses and knew what I wanted out of life. Personality fit for jobs is extremely underrated. There could be jobs out there that are awesome for 95% of the law student population but would be terrible for you. And vice versa. So if you feel you really understand yourself and your personality, then closing options is the best way. But if you have any level of uncertainty about what's a good fit for you, I would keep my options as open as possible.

[zot1]

I agree with above poster regarding fit. I panicked halfway through law school when I realized that most legal jobs didn't actually suit me, including the ones I had gone to law school for.

Office life in general may seem great when you're not doing it, but once you're in it day in and out, it isn't all that great.

Same with trial. The idea of being in trial everyday sounds fantastic until you're doing it.

[starsofthelidd]

Yeah, those are good points. I've only really spoken with biglaw associates, so I'll try to get the perspective of those in other gigs as well (I also wanted to be an AUSA for a long while there).

And good to know about labor in biglaw firms as well. I'd always imagined myself on the employee side and would like to get there eventually, but any opportunity in that area would be useful.

[Londonbear]

I went into law school thinking I'd do public interest, specifically legal aid. Wasn't particularly interested in firms, but I kept it open because you aren't particularly picky about applying for legal work your 1L. I interviewed for public interest internships for my 1L year and realized the people who were interviewing me seemed to either be (1) burnt out, (2) indifferent, or (3) bored. Or all of the above. I think what scared me the most was some of them really hated their clients, the ones they were supposed to help. And I didn't think my intensity really suited a lot of the places. I think that event just kind of changed my focus a little.

I ended up working in a firm my 1L summer instead and loved it. I liked the pace, the subject matter, didn't really mind the tedious parts of it, and I liked the people. Sure some were burnt out, but there were others that really enjoyed what they did and enjoyed the perks of a law firm. The work was fascinating and at times really challenging. I know of others who absolutely hated their experience at a firm and went to focus on other areas afterwards.

I came back and did an internship at a government agency and found out I hated it. Great work life balance, but the work wasn't my cup of tea. I think for me, what you choose to do is so important. I don't mind long hours or a demanding environment, but the work has to be purposeful to me. I'm sure it is to others.

Next I'm going to do a public interest clinic to give public interest another chance. But the point is you don't have to decide right away. You have three years. You have a lot of control in shaping your experiences. Keep an open mind. You should take this time to explore b/c I think once you get out of school, you won't have the ability to try different areas anymore. You're more or so stuck at least for a little bit.