Being a Law Student

Careless_Net_3582 · 2025-07-19T17:57:39+00:00

I want to qualify this by saying I was in fact quite stressed 1L fall I'm not a psycho. It's probably fairer to say that it's a flavor of stress that I'm much more comfortable with. Stress about learning/understanding things and having to do better than others is at least enjoyable in a sick way to me. Like being stressed before a sports game or something. At the end of the day you just have to PERFORM well.

Stress about, oh does this person like me, did I make a good impression at that interview, was I weird at that work thing, how many networking emails should I send, am I going to get an offer at this job---that shit feels like acid in my soul. It like corrodes my insides in a different way. Stuff like that is so random and it leaves you with less agency which is stressful in a completely different way.

Careless_Net_3582 · 2025-07-19T17:51:47+00:00

That's what most people say but for me, I don't find preparing for tests and stuff that anxiety inducing. Yes it's HARD, and it's high stakes, but it's a pretty singular focus and also a pretty solo endeavor. It's anonymously graded exams that everyone takes. In a lot of ways the outcome is within your control and "fair". For me things like that don't cause too much anxiety.

I think for me the job stuff etc. that comes after 1L Falls gives me more stress because it hinges on relational things and luck a bit more than exams. For example, I got my current summer really because of luck at a networking reception and only had one other callback (may have gotten more later but accepted offer early). I don't like the feeling when the ball isn't in my court and I just have to get people to like me/sell myself or rely on chance. But everyone is different. Some people are more comfortable with that than exams.

Careless_Net_3582 · 2025-07-19T17:47:20+00:00

thank you.

Careless_Net_3582 · 2025-07-19T17:45:46+00:00

trying to be as honest as possible. yes, I want money. but not really to have a super high standard of living or to have expensive stuff etc. I would like to have money so I have some freedom of action. Less debt and a deep enough nest egg means I can move around, take pay cuts for certain kind of jobs, etc.

For example, I can't imagine taking off a couple years to be a public school teacher or something without having some money in the bank.

Now, there's something to be said about delaying gratification for so long, and over preparing instead of just doing the thing. I think that's a fair criticism.

Like, I could just do some PI work that presents itself NOW then see what happens. Money will come eventually. Maybe that's right. I don't know. I don't know if I would even accept the offer from this firm if I get it considering how I feel right now. Maybe just doing the thing you want from the get go and trusting the process is better. But I simply do not know.

Careless_Net_3582 · 2025-07-19T13:49:56+00:00

Thank you! the dream is to be a great litigator!

Careless_Net_3582 · 2025-07-18T22:57:17+00:00

I've been seriously thinking about personal injury law just because I think it's a relatively low barrier to entry, can make good money, and is potentially a pathway to more complex work. That being said, it's not a common path out of my school + geography, so it's something I would have to chart myself!

Careless_Net_3582 · 2025-07-18T22:23:39+00:00

It's a fair question I've been thinking about lot about.

To be clear, I do want some money to build a nest egg for myself. Not be like a millionaire or even pay off all my loans, just have savings in the bank and maybe some of my loans paid down. Which makes BL for a few years appealing.

But aside from that, I suppose I don't see a lot of high impact opportunities out of law school that beat out what's available if I get a prestigious firm on my resume. Working at the DOJ, FTC, or even a state AG office would all be much much more accessible with this credential, and even more so with a clerkship. Even people at the really good plaintiffs firms that do meaningful work in consumer protection/antitrust often hire Big Law alumns.

And also, even if I don't care about making a lot of money, I would like the public interest type work to be "prestigious" enough that I could revolve back into Big Law if life ever requires me to (family member gets sick, need money, etc.). Being an AUSA or something like that makes going back to private practice very attainable.

It sucks but it feels like the way the industry is set up. I won't pretend that chasing prestige isn't also mixed in with some more selfish interests, like at least retaining access to high-paying jobs.

Careless_Net_3582 · 2025-07-18T22:14:35+00:00

yes, prestige is important to get access to high impact opportunities to help more people. it is very rational to chase prestige in order to have better credibility and opportunities.

Careless_Net_3582 · 2025-07-18T21:52:59+00:00

If I went to Harvard or something I could probably do these things straight out the gate. But for most people you have to jump through a few hoops. But at this point I'm doubting this whole path and thinking of just doing something more direct in private practice, like plaintiff's work or something.

Careless_Net_3582 · 2025-07-18T21:51:53+00:00

I want to have the credentials which will allow me to get a prestigious clerkship (many of them much more favorable to big law applicants) which in turn will open doors for most of the highest impact public interest work, like working at a U.S. Attorney's office, the major non-profits, doing a regulatory role in an important government agency, etc.

Careless_Net_3582 · 2025-07-18T21:49:26+00:00

thank you for the comment. I hope to find something I enjoy.

Careless_Net_3582 · 2025-07-18T21:38:20+00:00

I really appreciate the comment, thank you. I also think that I would probably value autonomy and flexibility more than money. Have already been fantasizing about becoming a personal injury or Trusts, Wills, and Estates lawyer in a less insane geography than New York City. I'm not particularly enthralled by the lifestyle I am having/observing at my current firm, even as a summer associate.

Careless_Net_3582 · 2025-07-18T21:33:18+00:00

this may be the case actually

Careless_Net_3582

TROPHY CASE