Got to Work It

What are you doing this summer? At the law school, this is how the majority of our conversations start now. It's the first week of the semester, mid-January, but the job search is already in full force. Classes? Not nearly as important as figuring out how to secure gainful employment out there in the big, bad world.

It's interesting how most of my colleagues have responded to the job question. At first, I expected to hear many of them talk about big firms and big money, high expectations of landing that coveted summer associate position in the city of their choosing. But of course, I forgot about the economy. Most of my colleagues tell me they hope to find anything, anywhere - they simply hope that it's somehow law related. The rest, however, might take classes or travel or work in a non-legal field and enjoy what they see as their last summer of freedom.

As a 1L, you are basically told that there aren't a ton of employers looking to hire you. Really, after one year of law school, what do you know about the law? In addition, you're in competition with 2Ls, 3Ls, and recent graduates who have been hit the hardest by the economic "downturn"...and "downturn" is stating it much too politely. So, what is a meek, naive, cluelessly hopeful 1L to do?

A few job search pointers for those 1Ls who haven't already given up:

1. Call everyone you know and ask them if they know any lawyers, and if so, will these lawyers talk to you, read over your resume, connect you with other potential employers, or simply hire you on the spot because you're desperate and will work for credit/milkshakes/one 15 minute break a day.

2. Go guerrilla and contact law firms big and small, public interest organizations, government agencies, and especially the National Yogurt Association and introduce yourself, tell them why you're awesome, and beg for work.

3. Use your law school's Career Center to polish your resume, cover letter, and interviewing skills and then demand that they find you a summer job because, damn it, your tuition pays their salaries.

4. Relax, take classes this summer if you want to, do some traveling, and get a job delivering pizzas to all of the undergraduates on your campus. As you deliver those hot, fresh pies, let those undergrads know that in a few short years you'll be open for business, ready to meet their legal needs, from a MIP to employment discrimination to estate planning.

I've been asking that "What are you doing this summer?" question too often. It stops now. I don't mind discussing it with folks but I'm simply starting to get annoyed with the sound of my own voice when I ask that question. 

What am I doing this summer? I don't know yet but I'm going to apply to many different firms/organizations/agencies, ask everyone I know if they know any attorneys, go guerrilla and introduce myself to the National Yogurt Association, make irrational demands of our Career Center staff, relax, take some classes, travel, and of course deliver pizzas to those hungry, hungry undergrads. A summer of free pizzas and meager tips? That's heaven, son.

Power to the people.