My law school friend, Mary, would like to know whether she should join Law Review.
I decide: Yes! Absolutely Yes!
The reason I decide Yes! (and so enthusiastically, I might add) is that I don't want to be the reason that Mary does not get the Top 100, starting at $165,000/year, crazy over-the-top major law firm job. So, yes. Definitely, yes.
That being said, I am not joining the law review. Law review is a great big deal. I get it. It's everything we ever hoped for when we signed up for law school--lots of prestige, long hours, extra work, boredom. (Am I really saying this on the Internet right now? Hello future employers reading through my archives!)
I have these rules for my life. They go like this:
1. If I really want to do something, I do it. And I follow through on it, no matter how badly it ends up sucking.
2. But, if I don't want to do something, I don't. Sometimes there are consequences for the not doing and I accept that.
Sometimes people say that you have to live for today, in case you die tomorrow. Thing is, I don't care if I live to be 120, I don't want to waste a year banging my head against a wall. You know? So that what? I can do it for another 20 years? Awesome. (Dudes! I am going to have to password protect this post. I am so never getting hired.)
So, last week? We had this paper due and my closet? Went from tidy to this:
I can't be on law review because, people, I have laundry to do.
(Actually, Will does all the laundry but I have to move my dirty items to the laundry basket on top of the dryer and that takes time.)
(Mom, it's okay. No, you don't need to drive to Davis. I cleaned the toilet yesterday. I swear.)
Anyway, point being: I'm not looking for a crazy 2200 billable hour job making $165,000 to start. I'm just looking for something decent with some time for taking photos and drinking wine and sitting in a summer dress on a Saturday in the park. Despite the word in the hallways at school, we're all gonna be okay. Law review or not (seriously, 30 people make law review. Do 170 people end up on the street? Okay, then.)
We're all gonna be okay. Even Professor Hills says so.
So, yes! If you want to be highly competitive in the job market and make lots of cash, then yes! But, if not, then we can ride downtown and enjoy some wine and sunshine.
Readers! Law review? What is law review anyway, right? Put your vote in regardless because look! I got a fancy new poll taking thing whereby you can cast your vote for Mary.
I just tied your poll. 3-3.
Oh, and fyi, it's good to know that you don't want to work 80 hours a week. Imagine not knowing that about yourself until you were well into an associate position at a prestigious law firm and burning out!
Posted by: Katey | April 28, 2008 at 06:40 AM
Oh yeah, I meant to say this:
Patent law:
Fewer hours, not a lot of time in court and load of money.
Posted by: Katey | April 28, 2008 at 06:41 AM
She should do it, and then buy you a lot of fabulous wine for making that decision for her.
Posted by: Nicole | April 28, 2008 at 08:16 AM
It seems like there isn't enough info about the pros and cons going through Mary's mind! I need to know if she would get ANY enjoyment (besides the bucks) out of it before I tell her to nosedive into lifelessville.
Posted by: Jennifer Berthiaume | April 28, 2008 at 05:13 PM