1L Summer Internship vs. Study Abroad Forum

[lishi]

I'm looking at the study abroad programs at a lot of schools, and they sound very interesting. But I'm wondering if I chose to do a study abroad program instead of getting an internship like most of peers, will law firms look down on me when it comes to 2L summer jobs?? Will I get less offers, because I don't have firm experience?? Is it just the opposite??

Any comments are appreciated.

[orangeswarm]

From what I've gathered talking to law firm partners, a paid 1L gig looks better than really anything on your resume. From what I've gathered from a very limited sample, when a firm sees a resume with a paying 1L experience they say either (1) that person must have had amazing grades; or (2) if not, that person must interview EXTREMELY well to have overcome them. I don't think that really covers it though. My two cents is that firms are greedy and if a peer firm wants you, they do too (to an extent).

I'm not saying that a study abroad would hurt you. You just want to make sure you have something to talk about during your 2L interviews. For what its worth, everyone I've talked to said they prefer a legal job (any legal job) on a resume than nothing at all.

[Formerbruin]

1L summer is also a great chance to get a kickass writing sample and a contact/recommendation for later on.

[the lsat hax0r]

You have to do something legal related.

Like Formerbruin said, you want a good legal writing sample and a top notch recommendation from an attorney is invaluable. Not only that, you get more experience in the legal world. At OCI, employers will ask you about your summer and why you chose not to do something legal-related. If you do something legal, then it gives you great ammo to shoot the shit with the interviewers - you can talk about your experiences during the summer, how much you learned, etc.

[lishi]

Well when I say study abroad, I meant a study abroad that the law school offers. So it would still be legal because you are studying the law in different countries.

But basically everyone is saying try to get a job.

[orangeswarm]

But basically everyone is saying try to get a job.

Yes. Study abroad may be fun, but getting a job legal related (paid or unpaid) will do much more for you in the long run.

[deucethejuice]

I think a person could potentially make some tremendous contacts in a study abroad experience. Not to mention that it could stand out on a resume as distinctive. Of course there are some study abroad programs which are probably more like a vacation than anything, but I think that a strategic location at a top ranked international school could be a clever way to get a foot in the door with contacts in the US. I believe that a strong study abroad experience is better than an average summer job at a law firm that most students end up working.

[orangeswarm]

I think a person could potentially make some tremendous contacts in a study abroad experience.

That is very true. Especially if that person is looking to work in an international respect or even in that particular country.

Not to mention that it could stand out on a resume as distinctive.

I guess so. Especially since so many people clerk or work for a firm over the summer. I'm sure it gives the interviewers something different to talk about and is likely a welcome break from the monotony.

Of course there are some study abroad programs which are probably more like a vacation than anything

Thats the only thing I would worry about. I would hate to walk into an interview with people who think I spent my entire summer partying. I guess, however, if they did then screw 'em.

I believe that a strong study abroad experience is better than an average summer job at a law firm that most students end up working.

I don't really agree or disagree with this. Truthfully, if I had the money, I would jump at doing a study abroad. I think the big difference between the two, however, is that working a summer job give you a bit more to talk about during an interview that your interviewers can relate to. On the other hand, I have a friend who did a summer abroad and one of her 2L summer interviewers happened to be from the area. She attributed the offer she recieved to the hour they ended up talking about how much fun she had (and I'm sure what she learned too) over the summer...at least that's what she told me.

[deucethejuice]

Yes, so basically it is a gamble to go a study abroad program I suppose. Especially if the one you go on is rather unknown and you aren't able to back up the experience in an intelligent way when discussing it during an interview. Like I think in just about any situation, you could say, "I selected this program because X International Law School offered me valuable experience and training in __________ and ___________, which I knew my law school did not offer to such an extent. Also, I was able to make some excellent contacts and acquaintances which I feel will be of strong benefit to your firm because of ______________, _____________, and _______________. While I was at Oxford, I had an opportunity work with Professor X Archibald-Poop, who is the premier authority on offshore bank accounts."

[lishi]

thanks guys. I was looking into Fordham's study abroad program, and they have one where they choose 5 students to go to London and study under the Oxford program, which I think would look very good on a resume, but if it's just some random place like Italy where I have no real connections to what I want to do it's not best.

[kevsocko]

i'm studying abroad no matter what. i like other countries too much to lose the opportunity...

[Formerbruin]

If a certain candidate wins the presidency, I'm going to study abroad and stay there.

[00TREX00]

Pretty sure that many schools offer study abroad to be taken during a normal, non-summer semester, which would kind of solve this little conundrum. Am I wrong?

[lishi]

Yeah they do, but I don't know if I'd want to be gone that long. 4 months may be a little too much for me.

[angiejolie]

Oxford program

Oxford is one of the greatest cities in the world. and the school is amazing. hob-nobing with future MPs just sounds cool.

[BondGirl]

Which internships that are available to 1Ls are paid?

[the lsat hax0r]

Which internships that are available to 1Ls are paid?

Summer associate jobs at big firms.

Market pay is 3k/week now.

[kevsocko]

4 months may be a little too much for me.

I spent 4 months in barcelona, and it was nowhere near long enough...but then again, i'd be lying if i said i studied or went to class very much when I was there

[hurley325]

Pretty sure that many schools offer study abroad to be taken during a normal, non-summer semester, which would kind of solve this little conundrum. Am I wrong?

I would love to do that. Tulane has an exchange program with a university in Sydney which would be incredible.

Before spending 5 weeks in London last summer, I doubted that I could handle being out of the country for very long. But 5 weeks wasn't close to enough time, I would love to spend an entire semester abroad.

[OregonGirl07]

For what it's worth our school encourages study abroad. They told us we could look for a research position if we wanted to do that for part of the time and then go study abroad somewhere. I will be spending 3 weeks in Austria in class with Justice Kennedy this summer and for me I think that's the best thing I could do, but each to their own.

[kevsocko]

don't fly in a prop plane with a Kennedy. or dallas.

[pasteurizedmilk]

.

[thesealocust]

nM

[annabell]

Which internships that are available to 1Ls are paid?

Summer associate jobs at big firms.

Market pay is 3k/week now.

I have two questions about this.

1) I've heard that summer income is taken into account and so if you work your 1L summer, you will get significantly less financial aid (I'm talking about Harvard). Is this true?

2) At most of the firms' websites I've looked out, they specifically say that they only hire students in their 2L summer. Which firms hire first years that pay that way? Are there many? And how do students get these jobs?