Is Post-Law School Employment Really That Bleak?
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 12:22 pm
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this is something people too often forget.biggamejames wrote:Luckily for you, things are really only that bleak for people with no connections. Nepotism > grades + t14.
TCR. I'm slightly above median at a t-14, never interned anywhere before I went to law school (too busy working shitty retail/service industry jobs to pay rent) and I'm struggling to find any damn job for after graduation. It's rough out there, kids.Aberzombie1892 wrote:It's not that bleak unless you are a liberal arts major (like 50%+ of any given law school) that never interned anywhere or impressed anyone and received mediocre or worse law school grades.
Ugh. This is what I'm afraid of. Since my family and I were poor as hell I had to work full time during UG to support myself and help my dad. I never made "legal" connections (how many can you make working at home depot?). I'm really hoping I have this opportunity during law school. Really hope.biggamejames wrote:TCR. I'm slightly above median at a t-14, never interned anywhere before I went to law school (too busy working shitty retail/service industry jobs to pay rent) and I'm struggling to find any damn job for after graduation. It's rough out there, kids.Aberzombie1892 wrote:It's not that bleak unless you are a liberal arts major (like 50%+ of any given law school) that never interned anywhere or impressed anyone and received mediocre or worse law school grades.
You totally can if you really put yourself out there. I didn't, because I discovered that, while I really love legal work, I kind of hate almost all lawyers. Therefore I chose to make nonlegal friends and am now paying for itgdane5 wrote:Ugh. This is what I'm afraid of. Since my family and I were poor as hell I had to work full time during UG to support myself and help my dad. I never made "legal" connections (how many can you make working at home depot?). I'm really hoping I have this opportunity during law school. Really hope.biggamejames wrote:TCR. I'm slightly above median at a t-14, never interned anywhere before I went to law school (too busy working shitty retail/service industry jobs to pay rent) and I'm struggling to find any damn job for after graduation. It's rough out there, kids.Aberzombie1892 wrote:It's not that bleak unless you are a liberal arts major (like 50%+ of any given law school) that never interned anywhere or impressed anyone and received mediocre or worse law school grades.
Luckily for you, things are really only that bleak for people with no connections. Nepotism > grades + t14.
Nepotism only goes so far in any larger organization. Even with nepotism, biglaw isn't giving an offer to someone at the bottom of the class at a T4 unless they are the name partner's kid or something. Many large firms have anti-nepotism policies, which mean relatives can't get you a job. At that point, you might have family friends, but those types of connections only get you the callback- not the offer.Sit back take a full ride at some T3/T4 with no regard to class rank....and still receive 6 figs? Yes Please.
Well, I don't know much about law firms.. but I do know about business.HeavenWood wrote:Here's my situation:
Since I attended an in-state school on scholarship, my parents have agreed to take care of all my law school expenses.
I do plan on using my father's connections. The only question is to what extent? If he can make a few phone calls and land me a good job at a good firm out of law school, all the better.
He also said I could get a job at his firm, if necessary. That would be 125k, which is a great start in Philly. But I also don't know if working with my father is the best idea. I have a good relationship with the man, and don't want to sour it.
Fuck man, take it. Philly's where I am, and as far as I can tell, jobs are hard to come by.HeavenWood wrote:He also said I could get a job at his firm, if necessary. That would be 125k, which is a great start in Philly. But I also don't know if working with my father is the best idea. I have a good relationship with the man, and don't want to sour it.
Lawyers and pornstars: screwing other people for money with no hard feelings.ResolutePear wrote:Well, I don't know much about law firms.. but I do know about business.
When I worked with friends or family.. my motto was always: "There are no friends/family in business. Only profits and losses." Basically, if you did your job and made profit, no prob. If you fuck around and cost money - you're going to get yelled at, insulted, fired, etc., no different than a regular employee.
People took it to heart and I never had a problem with it since family/friends knew that what I did when working was for business and nothing more. Sorta like when pornstars smack each other around and bang... I wouldn't imagine they feel.. sore against each other or otherwise. It's just business.
Quoted for truth.d34dluk3 wrote:Lawyers and pornstars: screwing other people for money with no hard feelings.
you forgot an infinite number of other professions...d34dluk3 wrote:Lawyers and pornstars: screwing other people for money with no hard feelings.ResolutePear wrote:Well, I don't know much about law firms.. but I do know about business.
When I worked with friends or family.. my motto was always: "There are no friends/family in business. Only profits and losses." Basically, if you did your job and made profit, no prob. If you fuck around and cost money - you're going to get yelled at, insulted, fired, etc., no different than a regular employee.
People took it to heart and I never had a problem with it since family/friends knew that what I did when working was for business and nothing more. Sorta like when pornstars smack each other around and bang... I wouldn't imagine they feel.. sore against each other or otherwise. It's just business.
yeah, like the dude at the drive thru!Patriot1208 wrote:you forgot an infinite number of other professions...d34dluk3 wrote:Lawyers and pornstars: screwing other people for money with no hard feelings.ResolutePear wrote:Well, I don't know much about law firms.. but I do know about business.
When I worked with friends or family.. my motto was always: "There are no friends/family in business. Only profits and losses." Basically, if you did your job and made profit, no prob. If you fuck around and cost money - you're going to get yelled at, insulted, fired, etc., no different than a regular employee.
People took it to heart and I never had a problem with it since family/friends knew that what I did when working was for business and nothing more. Sorta like when pornstars smack each other around and bang... I wouldn't imagine they feel.. sore against each other or otherwise. It's just business.
Networking. Seriously? That's some of the dumbest shit I have ever heard.nealric wrote:Luckily for you, things are really only that bleak for people with no connections. Nepotism > grades + t14.Nepotism only goes so far in any larger organization. Even with nepotism, biglaw isn't giving an offer to someone at the bottom of the class at a T4 unless they are the name partner's kid or something. Many large firms have anti-nepotism policies, which mean relatives can't get you a job. At that point, you might have family friends, but those types of connections only get you the callback- not the offer.Sit back take a full ride at some T3/T4 with no regard to class rank....and still receive 6 figs? Yes Please.
To answer the OP: Yes, it's bleak. I don't think the bleakness has anything to do with UG major as an above poster pointed out. Among my friends (I'm a recent T14 graduate), the ones who are unemployed are ones who never developed a passion in law and/or didn't have top-notch grades. Good grades get you on the biglaw boat, and you only need an OK personality. But once you miss that, it comes down to developing a specialty and networking. Not everyone has the personality to be a great networker.