...and ten thousand more to go. :(
Sadly, the job situation fell through. It was always far from a sure thing. It's really my own fault. I did not start looking for non-law jobs until too late in the game this summer and put all my eggs in one basket. So now, here I am. Back in law school. Unfortunately dropping out without a job lined up is not an option for me because I have to somehow pay the exorbitant rent on this crappy apartment for another nine months.
Having been back at school for a couple of days, I can say that the mood is somber. The 3Ls are supposed to be happy - this is supposed to be our easy year, the payoff for having stuck it out. But, because no one has jobs (or even interviews), everyone feels the same pressure to perform that they have always felt. The only consolation we have is a sort of morbid sense of humor about our predicament, the kind I imagine ER doctors use to get them through the day, but without the sense of accomplishment that accompanies an ER shift.
I will try to update more frequently. I have been too depressed lately. But I do want there to be a voice from the trenches, letting 0Ls know how bad things are here. It is too late for me, but other people still have time.
Sorry Rose. :( So sad to hear the news. You should drop the JD off of your resume and say that you lived in villages in Kenya for three years. You'll find a non-legal job eventually.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about the job. Try not to be too down. I know that's easier said than done, but just know you're not alone.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the job. Thus far, my own efforts at a law job have fallen through, despite me being surprised by a nibble and interview with a government agency. It must have been too good to be true, because there's been no callback yet and I'm sure it will be a couple days until that thin letter shows up in the mail.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely can attest to the somber, depressive mood you see in 3Ls in the classes of the Lost Generation. You'd be hard pressed to find a more sorry bunch of people in this economy.
I wish there was something we could tell you that would make the clouds part and things seem less dreary, but as you pointed out, it's too late for most of us. I found myself in a similar depressed situation 6-12 months ago, and while our straits are indeed dire, at some point you come to accept that you'll be on IBR for 25-30 years, that law school was a huge mistake, etc. But the point arrives where it's all behind you...can't undo what's been done, sadly.
It sucks there is another whole school year ahead, but I wouldn't fall back into the sheltered law school routine of acting like your International Tax class or whatever really matters. Keep up the job search, pursue whatever non-law interests you have that will keep you sane. The law school ship has sailed, and while you're in it for another nine months, a certain comfort can be derived from knowing you're on your way out and might find something, somewhere, outside of the law.
Best of luck, Rose!
Rose, I am glad that you are posting again. I am sorry to hear about your job falling through. Scammed Hard is right; spend your time looking for legal - or preferably, non-legal - work. The casebooks and lectures are a waste of time.
ReplyDeleteDuring my third year at Third Tier Drake, I hardly opened a casebook. The exams were easier, as it is all about how you write an essay. I was able to spend time on job searching. Good luck to you, and keep posting.
Also, if you look for legal jobs, you will be in the uncomfortable position of pretending that you care about the law.
Hang in there, Rose. Just finish law school strong and move on with your life. I would start planning ahead in terms of post-law school life. Since you are at a second tier law school, don't bother spending too much time on law-related employment other than clerkships in your area, if those are still available. Don't let your classes fall by the wayside, but spend a considerable amount of time on the job search and planning your living situation.
ReplyDeleteContact family members and close friends who live in cities with better job opportunities if you are currently in a city that is economically depressed with a high unemployment rate. Ask them if you can stay with them for a while after graduation. Hopefully someone will be kind enough to open their home to you for a few months or longer. Living in a city with opportunities is crucial to finding employment. You need to come in at a minute's notice for interviews since employers have too many applicants to choose from to spend money on flying out a candidate.
Good luck. I hope you will find time to write and keep us updated on your job search.
Most people in this field are suffering. It's hard to maintain perseverance but what choice do we really have...for some reason I can't show my profile name... Life's Mockery
ReplyDeleteThis group is for those who believe the US Department of Education should strip the American Bar Association of its accreditor status.
ReplyDeleteNO WAY ABA! STRIP THE ABA OF IT ACCREDITOR STATUS! STOP THE OVERSUPPLY OF LAWYERS!
On facebook, check out the page: NO WAY ABA
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001885560184#!/pages/NO-WAY-ABA/157102307664191?v=info
Why have you stopped blogging? Update
ReplyDeleteAny updates? Post in the group if you'd like. You can also remove JD Underdog from your blog roll. That was me and I no longer blog.
ReplyDeleteRose,
ReplyDeleteI graduated in 2007, right before the economy sank. By the time I got the results of my bar exam, firms were firing attorneys, rescinding offers, canceling interviews, etc. I do understand how you feel because I went through the same. I also saw some (albeit very few) of my classmates get offers for $170K jobs the year before our graduation. I felt like such a loser! I decided to expand the geographical area for my job search and sent my resume to unlikely places. I eventually got a job offer from a mid-size law firm far away from the State where I had taken the bar. I work long hours (though not as long as I probably would working in NYC) but only make low 60K's. I made that kind of money prior to going to law school and when I didn't have any student loans to pay! It's tough but it's doable. At least, I get to pay my bills though saving for a rainy day is out of the question. I share my story with you because I want you to know that if you so desire to practice law, try sending your resume to places you haven't considered before. You might just get an offer. Also, if you decide no to practice law, it's OK, you are not missing much. The work is, for the most part, quite boring and the hours are long. When people ask you why you went to law school but are not practicing, just tell them that the current economic recession doesn't allow you. With so many people unemployed, I find it hard to believe that others could not relate.