Kimm Walton is the author of "Guerilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams," and a PAD alumna.
Following is her answer to the question of what's a good use of the summer afer my 1L year?
First, the idea about getting a summer associate position in a large law firm is such a stretch for most law students at most schools -- and so unnecessary to their eventual happiness and ability to get into a large firm -- that I offer a different view:
Get experience that both positions you well for the future AND gets you stoked about the idea of being in law school. 1L year is tough enough without having a dreary summer!
My favorites: Prosecutors’ offices and working for trial-level judges. While a number of these positions may be on a volunteer basis, it’s so worth it; do something else for dough – as long as it’s not illegal! – and set aside a day or two or three or whatever you can afford per week to volunteer for one of these employers.
You’ll love it, you’ll understand how everything you’re learning at school applies to the “real world,†you’ll develop great mentors, you’ll have great resume and interview fodder…ooh, it’s great in so many ways.
Following is her answer to the question of what's a good use of the summer afer my 1L year?
First, the idea about getting a summer associate position in a large law firm is such a stretch for most law students at most schools -- and so unnecessary to their eventual happiness and ability to get into a large firm -- that I offer a different view:
Get experience that both positions you well for the future AND gets you stoked about the idea of being in law school. 1L year is tough enough without having a dreary summer!
My favorites: Prosecutors’ offices and working for trial-level judges. While a number of these positions may be on a volunteer basis, it’s so worth it; do something else for dough – as long as it’s not illegal! – and set aside a day or two or three or whatever you can afford per week to volunteer for one of these employers.
You’ll love it, you’ll understand how everything you’re learning at school applies to the “real world,†you’ll develop great mentors, you’ll have great resume and interview fodder…ooh, it’s great in so many ways.