What Should I Do With a Year Off Forum

[Dr.Degrees_Cr.Cash]

After quitting my job and moving states, I had to take a medical deferral for this year. I obviously will have to get treatments to get better, but the medical system has some slow wheels and apart from a surgery a two weeks of 5 hr/day treatments, I will have almost a year off in a new city. It's really cheap here and my parents are helping me out so a job (especially not a job with the salary and requirements I previously had) is not a priority. I want to maximize my down time to best prepare for law school/legal career and so I'm trying to determine the best way to spend my time.

I didn't spend a ton of time the last two years getting to know what the day to day of different types of attorneys work. I've seen a bit of transnational deal making work, but would like to see more of the litigation side (both trial and appellate). I also think I could probably do something to continue preparing for Law School. Finally I want to spend some amount of time giving back to the community.

All that said, I'll probably do a little of everything but need to find something I should probably focus on and want current students/lawyers' opinion on what would be most beneficial.

I could:

A) Try and work in a support role with a firm to learn about trial work (+money -choices)
B) Attempt to volunteer with a legal organization (+opportunity/likelihood -money)
C) Volunteer outside of the legal field and read prep books (++opportunity -money -preparation)
D) Work outside the legal field, volunteer part time, read some prep books (+opportunity +money -preparation)

If you were in my shoes what would you do?

[emkay625]

You should do something you really want to do. Don't worry about it being law related, unless that's the only think you think you'd enjoy doing. Spend the year having fun.

[cavalier1138]

Whatever you want.

[AllenMoffitt]

Do something that makes you happy.

[Facelessgod]

Another option is working at your local district court as a court clerk. I've been doing that for my gap year and enjoy it. I took a pay cut compared to offers I had to work as a legal assistant at a firm but I get to be in court every day, morning and afternoon, which is ultimately why I accepted this job. I'm constantly interacting with attorneys and different judges which is nice.

[stoopkid13]

I wouldn't put too much value on reading prep books

[goldenflash19]

Travel.

[hipcatdaddio]

Travel.

This. unless medical issues prevent you from doing this. If that's the case, then learn how to sew (or something else useful).

[Damage Over Time]

I wouldn't put too much value on reading prep books

agree

[akane89]

Write in: prep to be a teacher or realtor