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My 3rd and final year of law school begins in just over a week, and I can honestly say that I am so unsure as to how this year is going to go. During my senior year of college, while everyone else was freaking out, I had an answer for “what’s next.” Now, I have absolutely no idea how I want to use my pending law degree, and people keep wondering.
I came to law school with the intention of being a criminal prosecutor, as inspired by my 7th grade fascination with Law & Order: SVU. –Way more realistic for me to be an Alex Cabot than an Olivia Benson– Then, during my first and second years of law school, I really enjoyed my property and real estate courses, something that no one can relate to. Then, I got a law clerk job at a small law firm last spring semester and am currently a law clerk intern for a successful company’s legal department. This fall, I’m a part of my school’s Criminal Clinic, dealing with real cases. Safe to say I have absolutely no direction and have narrowed down my options not at all. I really just want to be paid without being miserable while still having a life.
You’d think that more of my peers would understand where I am coming from, but I think I’m on this sad, pathetic island all by myself. Most of my friends know what they area of law they want to practice, and they know what firms they would like to practice in.
I, however, was more proud of my two articles being published on this website this year than getting my two jobs. While some classmates are already applying for post-grad jobs, I am writing this.
This doesn’t mean that’s I’m sleeping on all things law school. I took a summer course to improve my legal writing abilities, my Google history is filled with “how to use my JD” searches, I’ve been researching the bar exam and bar exam prep costs (~4000 fucking dollars), and I am well aware that I need a direction for after law school because living is expensive. My future is taunting me, and I’m not about it.
In a perfect world, Mindy Kaling, Marta Kauffman, and a team of talented writers would be in a conference room right now scripting season 25 of my life. There would be a guarantee that, after a few twists and turns, things sort of work out. But life isn’t scripted, so I really need to get my shit together and figure out what I want to do and where I want to do it.
If things are going well for you, I hope this piece reassured you and made you pat yourself on the back. If you’re feeling stuck and unsure, know you’re not alone.
And if you know of any legal opportunities that I might be interested in, please comment below. I have a resume that I would love to send your way..
Image via Shutterstock
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@Megsie611
Wanna write a little to my HOA about how my 30 foot flag pole is completely reasonable and them not wanting The Stars and Stripes flying high is basically a rule against freedom?
1. I highly recommend following your original dream. As the user name suggests it is an awesome job.
2. For bar prep use Themis. Barbri is overpriced crap. Everyone I know who didn’t pass the first time used Barbri. Save yourself the cash for a bar trip.
Affirmed on both counts.
Also agree with themis
Life actually is scripted: you go to work, earn money to pay off debt, earn more money to pay off more debt, listen to people in suits read off a TelePrompTer as you watch a it via a scripted news network, base life decisions off the hollow appearance of illusionary good radiating from said person in suit, hope you make it to an age where you don’t have to go to work anymore before you die, retire for like 3 minutes, get cancer or some other curable disease that they don’t give the cure publicly, roll credits lol
Okay that was a little harsh. Obv sprinkle in some food, sleeping, showers, some poops and pees, some beers, vodka sodas to try and convince yourself that you’re being healthy, some friends, drugs, parties, pets, travel, fun and family
Good morning, and in case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!
Here’s the thing that people may not tell you: if you don’t have a job by the time 3L starts, you most likely won’t get a job until you pass the bar. I’ve noticed that many firms are a little hesitant to hire people, because if their new Associate fails, they lose a ton of money.
It’s difficult to make peace with, but in the meantime, you can make your resume as strong as possible. Journal work and writing competitions are a great start, since they look good if you do well, apply your legal writing skills, and can help you narrow an area of law you want to practice. You’ve already published a couple articles here, so that’s a good start. Otherwise, network as much as you can with alums of your school to narrow out what you don’t want. In the mean time, don’t hesitate to reach out to those of us who are practicing attorneys in the PGP community. Many of us were in your shoes too, and are always happy to help. It’s not easy, and my words may sound meaningless right now, but make the most of this year.
I can’t speak to the private sector, but I didn’t receive an offer at the State’s Attorney’s Office until 2 days before graduation. That being said, I had three rounds of interviews throughout the year for the job, so I wasn’t completely in the dark for all of 3L.
I agree with the thing about making your resume strong, but also take classes that you enjoy. The bar prep courses will definitely get you ready for the exam, so don’t worry about taking a Tax or Admin class in school if you’re not interested in it.
Ugh, I feel this.
I’ve been stuck working 70+ hrs a week the last 2 months as a big law paralegal and I’m running low on time to study for the September LSAT and finish my essays. I’m terrified that being a paralegal is gonna get in the way of my dream of being a lawyer.
I know a guy named Michael Ross that might be able to help you out.
I love when people throw suits references on this site
the serial killer? there’s too many to choose!
Not all attorneys work insane amount of hours. Most attorneys that do are making more than average attorney salary or building their own practice. There is always a way to push your employer back to give you space for studying for the LSAT.
Yep, I’m planning to take a few Fridays off to study. Pushback is a little tough when I’m at a top 10 place in NYC (and a busy practice group). Luckily they’re generous with PTO.
On the bright side, I’m on pace to make 100k thanks to OT.
Oh. yea you and I are very different types of people.
Comments like this are why I hated 50% of my law class
As a recent(ish) law school grad. Don’t stress about finding your calling right away. I and a lot of my classmates have switched jobs a few times in the first few years after graduating. Getting your foot in the door somewhere, doing good work, and building your resume is the key.
Oh, and spend the money on Bar prep courses. It’s the biggest exam of your life and those courses are absolutely worth it with how efficient they make your studying. You do NOT want to have to take the Bar twice.
I’m not a lawyer, but I am dating one. From her perspective, she already had nearly six figures of debt, so not investing in bar prep would’ve been pennywise but pound foolish.
Based off of a friend of ours who had to leave a big firm job after failing the bar twice and is now working as a paralegal, I’d have to agree with her.
Agreed. It’s a bigger hit to your ego to not be able to accept your job offer because you didn’t pass than to not have an offer until you pass. During my last year I interned for different governmental agencies. I spent most of my weekends networking with practicing attorneys or just drinking with them for fun.
oh god. literally would never consider taking the bar without a prep course. but it’s the whole black hole of “which is the best one”
Agreed on the bar exam– it’s worth investing. Friends who used Barbri passed – more who used Kaplan or Themis did not. Granted, this is anecdotal evidence so take it as you wish. I just know that taking the same state twice is a hard hit. Also, I heard that if you’re going into public sector work there’s a small discount/incentive, and is worth asking your reps about. The major thing is you really really should take a course, even if it is Themis. Self studying for your first bar exam is a bad idea.
I can say this with a full heart and an empty wallet; representing the people is a passion. Day in and day out.
I finished sub-50% in my class, stacked my resume with bullshit that wasn’t journals or moot court, had no desire for firm life and wanted to fulfill a pipe dream of going straight in-house, and I hated Property, Secured Transactions, and Real Estate law in general
First job out of law school (and going on a year now)- I work in-house for a Fortune 500 real estate holding company doing all three of those things. Funny how things work out.
Worked at a midsize firm this summer, just found out that none of the Summer Associates are getting hired (they’re bringing on laterals instead). Looks like I’ll be firing out my resume to every law firm in town. Almost makes me miss 1L
I found out the same thing that the mid-size firm I clerked at all of 2L summer and 3L in March of my 3L year. Needless to say, until I found my first job out of school, I’ve never had greater anxiety.
Took me 9 months to get my first job after graduation. Of course, I graduated in 2011, aka the worst hiring market ever.
if you liked real estate and property, move to one of the states that require attorneys for closings! That’s what I do.