It's almost the end of October. It's been almost four weeks since I was last in Carson, and I'm looking forward to being back there this weekend.
A little over six more weeks until I pack up my temporary DC home (into one suitcase and carryon!) and head back West "for good."
So much to do -- finishing editing a book, continue to work at the court, bring my Japanese up to speed, and write a paper. Time to push it to hit the finish line. I'm tired just thinking about it.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
So you're thinking about law school...
I was skimming through my ABA Journal weekly email, when their survey question caught my eye: Law School Grads: Take This Six-Question Survey on Finding That First Job.
I actually read every single comment and it made me sad to think about all my fellow law grads who have been struggling to find paid employment since graduation. I think the graduating classes of 2008-2011 in particular have received the brunt of the pain. It also made me feel very lucky that my job hunt hasn't been as lengthy as many others.
But the fifth question made me stop and think, and I penned this response:
5) Would you recommend attending law school to a recent graduate?
It depends. Do you really want to be a lawyer? Is the legal job a good fit for you? Are you good at researching and writing, okay with sitting at a desk most of the time, comfortable speaking in front of other people, willing to put in long hours, etc.? Are you committed to the profession even if you won't be living a luxurious lifestyle?
Do you have a realistic view of legal employment coming in, and do you make practical decisions? I knew that I didn't want to work in BigLaw when I started law school in 2008, so against the standard "wisdom," I chose to go to a lower ranked school (still Tier 1) that had offered me $ instead of the higher ranked schools that would just take all of my $. I also knew that I would not be making an exorbitant salary immediately upon graduation - everyone who starts a professional degree should estimate how much loans they will be taking out and how long it will take to repay them at a realistic salary. Also, recognize the fact that you're living on borrowed money. Is that extra round at the bar worth it? That fancy new ipad? I've been able to pay back a chunk of my loans already because I lived rather frugally while a student.
However, in this economy, if you will be paying full price tuition and living fully on student loans, I recommend waiting. If you really want to be a lawyer, then you will probably still want to be a lawyer in 5 years. Get a job where you can and don't take out the hefty loans when jobs are uncertain. My four years of work experience between college and law school helped me land my unpaid jobs during law school (and also gave me experience to fall back on if I couldn't find a legal job). My unpaid jobs during law school helped me land a paid job post-law school. I also worked very hard in law school: top ~15%, law review, multiple externships, worked for 3 professors, and got very little sleep for three years. Only commit to the activities you can do well, but your success in law school will help you after you graduate. Think of your time in law school as your chance to build your "portfolio" for the post-grad job hunt and make wise choices. And learn to market yourself - cultivate good relationships with employers and professors, learn how to write targeted cover letters/applications, do a realistic assessment of your strengths and weaknesses and know how to highlight your strengths, practice interviewing. It's something career offices do not teach students well.
So while it's not a black and white answer, I think every person thinking about law school needs to face the harsh reality of the job market right now, and make a wise decision as to whether the costs are worth it. Each person has different circumstances. A full scholarship would change the equation. A current employer who will transition you to an attorney after graduation would change the equation. But any law school applicant should consider the fact that many law grads over the past few years have spent months - or even years - job hunting, and those grads come from the T-20 schools all the way to Tier 4 schools. The job placement of every single school has been hit by the economy. Face the reality, and then think long and hard about whether the degree is still worth it to you.
I actually read every single comment and it made me sad to think about all my fellow law grads who have been struggling to find paid employment since graduation. I think the graduating classes of 2008-2011 in particular have received the brunt of the pain. It also made me feel very lucky that my job hunt hasn't been as lengthy as many others.
But the fifth question made me stop and think, and I penned this response:
5) Would you recommend attending law school to a recent graduate?
It depends. Do you really want to be a lawyer? Is the legal job a good fit for you? Are you good at researching and writing, okay with sitting at a desk most of the time, comfortable speaking in front of other people, willing to put in long hours, etc.? Are you committed to the profession even if you won't be living a luxurious lifestyle?
Do you have a realistic view of legal employment coming in, and do you make practical decisions? I knew that I didn't want to work in BigLaw when I started law school in 2008, so against the standard "wisdom," I chose to go to a lower ranked school (still Tier 1) that had offered me $ instead of the higher ranked schools that would just take all of my $. I also knew that I would not be making an exorbitant salary immediately upon graduation - everyone who starts a professional degree should estimate how much loans they will be taking out and how long it will take to repay them at a realistic salary. Also, recognize the fact that you're living on borrowed money. Is that extra round at the bar worth it? That fancy new ipad? I've been able to pay back a chunk of my loans already because I lived rather frugally while a student.
However, in this economy, if you will be paying full price tuition and living fully on student loans, I recommend waiting. If you really want to be a lawyer, then you will probably still want to be a lawyer in 5 years. Get a job where you can and don't take out the hefty loans when jobs are uncertain. My four years of work experience between college and law school helped me land my unpaid jobs during law school (and also gave me experience to fall back on if I couldn't find a legal job). My unpaid jobs during law school helped me land a paid job post-law school. I also worked very hard in law school: top ~15%, law review, multiple externships, worked for 3 professors, and got very little sleep for three years. Only commit to the activities you can do well, but your success in law school will help you after you graduate. Think of your time in law school as your chance to build your "portfolio" for the post-grad job hunt and make wise choices. And learn to market yourself - cultivate good relationships with employers and professors, learn how to write targeted cover letters/applications, do a realistic assessment of your strengths and weaknesses and know how to highlight your strengths, practice interviewing. It's something career offices do not teach students well.
So while it's not a black and white answer, I think every person thinking about law school needs to face the harsh reality of the job market right now, and make a wise decision as to whether the costs are worth it. Each person has different circumstances. A full scholarship would change the equation. A current employer who will transition you to an attorney after graduation would change the equation. But any law school applicant should consider the fact that many law grads over the past few years have spent months - or even years - job hunting, and those grads come from the T-20 schools all the way to Tier 4 schools. The job placement of every single school has been hit by the economy. Face the reality, and then think long and hard about whether the degree is still worth it to you.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Didn't it just become summer?
When we moved to Nevada in May, I was ready for summer. Instead, it snowed just days after we arrived.
And now, in this first week of October, Tahoe is expecting some snow once again. That was an awfully short summer. But I did just buy my Heavenly/Northstar season pass, so I guess you could say I'm juiced for the winter.
On the flip side, I wish it would warm up a little bit in D.C. I've been waiting through a month of rain to get one last beautiful East Coast fall and I haven't seen it yet!
And now, in this first week of October, Tahoe is expecting some snow once again. That was an awfully short summer. But I did just buy my Heavenly/Northstar season pass, so I guess you could say I'm juiced for the winter.
On the flip side, I wish it would warm up a little bit in D.C. I've been waiting through a month of rain to get one last beautiful East Coast fall and I haven't seen it yet!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
The hunt is over.
After we moved to Carson in May, I had been preparing myself to be unemployed for a while after finishing my M.A. this December. I kind of reveled in the idea of it - I could drop Mr. TPG off at work, head up to Heavenly for a few hours, and still have time to learn to cook delicious meals and bake delectable desserts. But there is a practical realist (and a person who just loves to work) inside of me that I couldn't escape, so I continued to look for jobs that interested me in the area.
And I found one. After a lengthy application, getting selected for an interview, and a strenuous interview process (four hours, including an interview, written exercise, and presentation), I was not feeling good about the prospects. I kicked myself for two days, wishing my brain had worked faster through the cases I was given to analyze. I drove Mr. TPG crazy, lamenting about the things I wished I had said in my presentation.
Mr. TPG's response was "if it's meant to be, it will happen, and if it's not, then you will get to snowboard." But I still felt uneasy about it, which was worse now because I thought the job was interesting and really liked the people I met at my interview. I continued to wrestle inside to get to a place of being content in all that I have, because I am already extraordinarily blessed.
Then yesterday, I got the call. And just like that -- the next chapter of life is waiting for me in Carson. Sometimes it just takes a little faith in knowing that whatever the future holds, life will continue to bring about amazing things, whether it be a job, a period of rest, or life in a new city.
Carson is starting to feel more and more like home.
And I found one. After a lengthy application, getting selected for an interview, and a strenuous interview process (four hours, including an interview, written exercise, and presentation), I was not feeling good about the prospects. I kicked myself for two days, wishing my brain had worked faster through the cases I was given to analyze. I drove Mr. TPG crazy, lamenting about the things I wished I had said in my presentation.
Mr. TPG's response was "if it's meant to be, it will happen, and if it's not, then you will get to snowboard." But I still felt uneasy about it, which was worse now because I thought the job was interesting and really liked the people I met at my interview. I continued to wrestle inside to get to a place of being content in all that I have, because I am already extraordinarily blessed.
Then yesterday, I got the call. And just like that -- the next chapter of life is waiting for me in Carson. Sometimes it just takes a little faith in knowing that whatever the future holds, life will continue to bring about amazing things, whether it be a job, a period of rest, or life in a new city.
Carson is starting to feel more and more like home.
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