Tough love time.

I can’t think of a single job that has an incentive to offer you a position now to start in fall 2022. That’s not a dig on you, but that employers are just like you and me and simply don’t know what their needs are going to look like more than a year from now. They have no reason to promise a current student, who has yet to graduate or even start studying for the bar, a job so far off, with a ton of contingencies (like- assuming you graduate and pass the bar and we still need to hire a first year then). If they have a current need, you can’t start anyway because you have school. Unless it’s a fellowship or something like that actively advertised to current students, you may want to consider focusing on your job search after you actually pass the bar, and looking into trying to get some substantive experience to pad your resume like clinics at school or externships. Good luck!

I assume you mean a 2L summer associate position? Usually “interns” in the biglaw context are college students with no expectation of employment thereafter.

Obviously the GPA expectation depends on your school (you could be median at a T14 but better be top if you are not), and so will your interview opportunities. Most people get their summer positions through their school’s OCIs. How well you interview is on you, obviously.

I think you already answered your question! Firm culture and fit are really important. Work is going to have stressful moments regardless of the type, and you want to be at a place where you feel comfortable. 

[1] Bill a lot, to the extent you can. Meaning, even if you can do a task in one hour, take two and read over it, etc. before you submit. Law firms want to see high billers, and people who work well. Not necessarily someone who stamps out subpar work quickly.

[2] Be nice. Be nice to your fellow summers, to associates, to partners, to the staff, etc. It goes a long way.

I know you didn’t ask for this, but another thing to keep in mind that sometimes you can do everything correctly, but it doesn’t work out. There’s office politics, partner politics, random client issues, over-offering, etc. etc. So while you should definitely try your best, make sure that you have a back-up plan and the clear understanding that an eventual offer might not be as under your control as you may think.

Good luck!

idk you suck

….kidding, but you sort of set me up for that one. :’) 

HUSTLE HUSTLE HUSTLE

- See if you can still get into some extracurriculars even if not “prestigious” at your school. At least grab some leadership roles in clubs and take them to the next fucking level. The important thing is being able to talk about them.

- Talk to your school’s career services, academic dean, etc. They’re getting paid to help you (unlike me, and I’m already doing my best so imagine what they might be inspired to do!)

- Take experience-related classes (clinics if your school offers them). They’re generally easier to get higher grades in and you will have more to put under “experience”

- I take it you finished 1L year just now. There are two more years to boost your GPA. Try to figure out what went wrong in your exam answers and FIX IT. 

It’s not the end of the world. Shit happens. It’s a good time to get some perspective (I know it’s hard to do in law school) and focus instead on damage control than moping around feeling sorry for yourself. HUSTLE!

Best of luck! You can still get great jobs and have a wonderful career. You can do it. Keep me updated!

There are times to take breaks. 

This is not one of those times.

With lottery interviews you have a very unique opportunity which you will not get again. Give these interviews everything you’ve got. Also mass mail, pull all the connections, etc. Yes you will eventually have a job and hopefully one you enjoy, but you will be SO much more stressed out if you graduate with nothing vs. with SOMETHING. It’s fine. It’ll be over. Just keep giving everything 100%, 200%, and then you can take your break at some point. Don’t give up!

Summer will be None of the Pain, but don’t take someone else’s shot at it if you know you don’t want it.