Second week of 3L year complete. Still enjoying my classes, and I'm getting back into the swing of study habits.
I purchased my parking pass and driving to school is the ultimate in wonderfulness. 20 minutes to drive. 40 minutes to an hour to take the T, depending on what it feels like doing that day. I'm all for taking care of the environment. But when I have to carry 2 or 3 casebooks, plus my laptop, on a potentially crowded train (so I may have to stand with my casebooks and laptop) AND the T's only consistency is its inconsistency...driving just makes more sense. Oh...and carrying 2 or 3 casebooks plus my laptop is too much for the 15-minute walk to the T station, and there's not a decent sidewalk for part of it so my rolling backpack doesn't work, so when I take the T I drive and park anyway. This makes paying for the parking pass actually more cost-effective because there's a $5 fee for parking at the T station...so that plus the cost for 3 monthly T passes is WAY more than the $240 I spent on the school parking pass for 3 months.
I've formed a plan for finding a job. I've discussed it with people, they all think it's a great idea. See, I've realized that part of the reason I was not all that disappointed when I didn't get any interviews for a summer associate position (which would have put me on the big firm track) is because I don't really WANT to work in a big firm. Everything I've heard about the work environment is something I DON'T want to do. I don't want to be cutthroat competitive, every person for him/herself. I want to work WITH my co-workers, as a team, for a common cause. Then, there aren't many government places I really want to work for. I'm going to apply for the Mass. Attorney General's office because it's a good place to get a lot of experience. Even though it's not exactly "tax" experience, they do deal with some tax matters. Plus I can still open a solo tax practice later and people will think it's impressive that I've worked for the Mass. AG and they'll want to be my client. Anyway. The IRS isn't doing on-campus interviews for third-years at my school right now...but they are doing interviews for the summer program. That makes me think my chances aren't great...I can apply outside of the on-campus interview system, but I can't rely on that. I've been checking the Mass. Department of Revenue's website and they haven't been hiring any new attorneys for quite a while. So that kind of kills any tax-specific government positions. So what am I left with? Small and medium firms, or in-house counsel. Now the problem is...where do these places post these jobs? Sometimes on your everyday job posting sites (monster.com) but I seem to remember hearing that there are sites specifically for legal job postings...so I need to visit the career center and find out where these sites are.
Once I find out where to look for jobs, it will be time to contact my really awesome contact in the realm of tax practice in Massachusetts. The "top dog," as it were, at the Appellate Tax Board told me he'd write letters of recommendation for me whenever I need them. This guy said he knows everyone...and in the internships following that one, I've learned that it may very well be true. Even if he doesn't actually know everyone, a recommendation from someone like that is high praise indeed. So, there's my plan. Yes, the economy still sucks. Yes, most places still have hiring freezes. But that doesn't mean I can stop trying. It actually means I have to try harder. So that's what I'll do. And, like one of my professors said, it's not like people are banging down the doors to practice tax law...but you always need tax lawyers.
Watching Mad Men the other day made me think about grandparents. Since I want people to watch the show, I refuse to ruin any of the twists that come up, so I'll just leave it at that...those of you who watched it know what I'm talking about. Anyway. I ended up being very saddened at what I've missed out on in the realm of grandparents. My mother's father died a short time before I was born. From what I hear of him from my older cousins, as well as my mom and her siblings, I suspect he would have been that special grandparent. The one who would have had a great relationship with me, who I would have loved to visit, who would have been overjoyed that I'm in law school and really making something of myself. I don't get that from my remaining grandparents. I have to earn their love and I don't think that's fair. That's not what a grandparent should ask of their grandchild. A grandchild should be loved no matter what.
Well, that's about all the thoughts I have this week. Until next time!
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1 comment:
Your professor is one smart cookie, you chose one of the more stable fields of law it sounds like? There are still jobs to be had in just about every sector, it is all about perseverance.
Hmmm, I don't watch Mad Men and never would have thought of it as reminding of grandparents. I may just have to toss it in the queue now, you have me intrigued!
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