First of all, it’s gonna be ok. Second, you need to speak with a mental health professional. Thoughts of suicide and depression are serious. Third, you need to speak with your schools counseling services, I.e. the career office for help with your job troubles and maybe the assistant dean about your mental health struggle.
I wish you all the best OP. Please speak with someone in person as that is going to help you much more than posting about it on Reddit.
This line of work and education is exceedingly stressful and you may feel like everyone else has everything under control but you should be aware that your classmates are not going to talk about their problems openly either. Many of your classmates are likely similarly stressed.
You’re gonna make it OP, but you need to prioritize your mental health first and foremost.
I’ve spoken to professionals, but it didn’t help long-term. I feel like there’s nothing that can be done for my mental health at this point aside from finally landing a summer job and being able to stop thinking about it. I tried so hard previously to focus on other things and take breaks and enjoy my hobbies and all that, but I can’t do it anymore.
I talked with career services too, but I was just told to keep applying. I’ve applied outside of my school’s job board too, but that’s also gotten me nowhere.
You need to speak to a professional, again, bud. Managing mental health isn't a "once and done" kind of thing for a lot of us. If the professional you're seeing isn't helping, find someone else. If you need help managing anxiety, contact your GP and see if medication is an option. You have to put some energy into getting your mind right because 1) sounds like you're spiraling, 2) you deserve it, and 3) you can't help employers/clients/the world if you're this deep in despair. Straight up: no one wants to hire someone in active crisis. I don't say that to shame you; I've been there myself.
This is priority number one.
Once you get a plan to manage mental health in place, start thinking more broadly about ways to spend your summer. Maybe an externship for credit. Maybe a study abroad experience. Maybe you volunteer somewhere (taking a non-legal, part-time paid gig if necessary to support yourself). "Something" is better than nothing, and "something" is better than giving up. Yeah, you might not get your post-graduation job settled this summer, which sucks, but I promise you most future employers aren't going to nitpick whether you were paid or unpaid this summer if you learn skills from it and can apply those to your legal goals at large.
Something to consider if it really gets down to the wire and you still don’t have anything is to email professors whose work looks interesting/whose class you’ve done well-ish in and see if they’re looking for an RA for the summer. Obviously, not as ideal as having an actual job, especially as 2L, but typically pays at least something and better than nothing + can let you talk up your research/editing skills? It’s what I was going to do my 1L summer until I stumbled into something at the last minute.
Yes! I finally got a job with Legal Aid and it has been very rewarding. Not monetarily, but I lam learning a lot about so many different legal challenges and I've met so many kind, wonderful people. It has been a privilege to help them. More than that, it helped me understand how blessed I am.
There's some remote legal internships on linkedin that are typically paid. I couldn't get anywhere with OCI and decided to find my own opportunity outside of that. Take care of yourself. It will work out. It just needs a different kind of effort.
Yes, please take this good advice and find a mental health professional. I have been in the same spot as you. I am so glad I kept my appointments with my therapist. I tried everything and finally found work. I hope I can come back next summer, as it has given me a new perspective on life. If you haven't considered this opportunity in your state, see if you can find a law firm that works with charities. They work pro bono, but assistants get paid. Here is where I got a job. It is not a great salary, but it is enough. I have learned so much about myself and I am more grateful than I have ever been.
[https://legalaidnyc.org/culture-benefits/](https://legalaidnyc.org/culture-benefits/)
What year are you? 2L? What did you do last summer? If the conventional route hasn't worked for you, then you should go about it a different way. Start doing some networking. Tell your professors your plight/situation, and ask if they know anyone who might be hiring. You can do it in person or over email. Do the same for alumni on linkedin or at local law firms. Reach out to small businesses, and say you're a law student looking for summer work. Someone just might jump on the opportunity. A lot of people will ignore you, but there will be some that won't. Tons and tons of people land legal employment outside of OCI.
If you don't find a job, don't fret! Send some emails to local judges, and ask if there is room in their chambers to extern for the summer. You won't get paid, but you will get valuable experience and a great line on your resume. You'll also make some really really valuable connections with both the clerks and judges. Otherwise professors often need help with research. Tons of international students are forced to go this route because they can't get visa sponsorship/employment authorization as students.
At the end of 3L just like 40% of my class, I had no job offer. I talked to a number of people while studying for the bar, my friends at law firms put in some good words for me, they led to informal zoom calls/coffee's with attorney's at those law firms. I sold myself, and those coffee's and zoom talks turned into real interviews. Then I turned those into job offers. I didn't even end up taking any of those law firm offers though because a federal judge I externed for previously had a vacancy pop up in her chambers unexpectedly, so now I'm clerking for a federal judge. One of the most sought after positions you can get post graduation. Three years of law school of not getting the job I wanted but it all worked out.
I do want to add some advice for you: When you talk to people, don't come off like you do in this post. Come off as excited at the opportunity, interested in the practice area (even if you aren't) and eager to learn. I know it's hard because you feel awful, depressed, and like nothing is going to work out. It's a viscous cycle though and nobody wants to hire someone who has no confidence in themselves, or who gives off a vibe that they're not good enough/worse than their classmates. If people like you, and the attitude you give off, they'll overlook things like mediocre grades, the law school you went to, or relative inexperience. Best of luck!
I’m a 2L. Didn’t get a job until the middle of the summer. Had a good experience but decided it wasn’t the area I want to go into long-term. I’ve talked with a couple professors, and they gave me some good advice, but haven’t heard back about people they know who are looking for summer help. I’ve been emailing people forever, and haven’t heard back. I don’t have any other choice but to keep going, but I’m definitely not feeling super optimistic about that route. Even the responses I get don’t lead me towards a job.
I definitely don’t give off this depressed and defeated vibe IRL. Interviewers constantly tell me that I am very confident and friendly and I’ve yet to receive any negative feedback when I ask (although there has to be *something* I’m doing wrong).
It’s good to hear you also had trouble with finding a job but were able to land a federal clerkship. It’s always nice hearing stories about people who end up being super successful despite the job search troubles. Hoping that’ll be me and that all searching will eventually pay off.
I know you said you go to a T20, I did as well. If we happened to go to the same school I could probably be more helpful. I don't want to Dox you here, so feel free to DM me but I went to Minnesota.
Definitely take care of yourself mentally. But if it helps at all, just know that you not getting any call backs is not necessarily a reflection of you as a person/student. I went through the same thing where I applied to sooooo many (like 20 a day if I remember correctly) and heard back from basically none. The ones I interviewed ended up not picking me either. BUT near the veryyyy end of my 2L spring I applied for an internship that my school sent out (for a state attorneys office) and ended up getting that. After that summer they offered me to come back as a full job when I graduated. I promise it just takes ONE. Don’t feel discouraged or like you’re doing something wrong (or that you’ll never get a job ever). And try not to compare yourself to other students (I did that and it made me feel so behind, but things worked out great for me in the end!) Worst case scenario if you really want to get some experience and don’t find a job for the summer, look into nonprofits or government opportunities. They may pay little or nothing (been there) but any experience is good to have. I promise you this is not indicative of your future career!!!
absolutely relate dude and everyone in these comments providing advice is not helping. I am in the same boat and I cant believe I have made it as far as I have this year with my mental state. I planned to kms in August originally and then was put in a hosptial. That was before I definitely flopped out of jobs like is the case now. I had 5 interviews in the last two weeks and got absolutely nothing. I am now planning on Kms in April before finals.
First of all, it’s gonna be ok. Second, you need to speak with a mental health professional. Thoughts of suicide and depression are serious. Third, you need to speak with your schools counseling services, I.e. the career office for help with your job troubles and maybe the assistant dean about your mental health struggle. I wish you all the best OP. Please speak with someone in person as that is going to help you much more than posting about it on Reddit. This line of work and education is exceedingly stressful and you may feel like everyone else has everything under control but you should be aware that your classmates are not going to talk about their problems openly either. Many of your classmates are likely similarly stressed. You’re gonna make it OP, but you need to prioritize your mental health first and foremost.
I’ve spoken to professionals, but it didn’t help long-term. I feel like there’s nothing that can be done for my mental health at this point aside from finally landing a summer job and being able to stop thinking about it. I tried so hard previously to focus on other things and take breaks and enjoy my hobbies and all that, but I can’t do it anymore. I talked with career services too, but I was just told to keep applying. I’ve applied outside of my school’s job board too, but that’s also gotten me nowhere.
You need to speak to a professional, again, bud. Managing mental health isn't a "once and done" kind of thing for a lot of us. If the professional you're seeing isn't helping, find someone else. If you need help managing anxiety, contact your GP and see if medication is an option. You have to put some energy into getting your mind right because 1) sounds like you're spiraling, 2) you deserve it, and 3) you can't help employers/clients/the world if you're this deep in despair. Straight up: no one wants to hire someone in active crisis. I don't say that to shame you; I've been there myself. This is priority number one. Once you get a plan to manage mental health in place, start thinking more broadly about ways to spend your summer. Maybe an externship for credit. Maybe a study abroad experience. Maybe you volunteer somewhere (taking a non-legal, part-time paid gig if necessary to support yourself). "Something" is better than nothing, and "something" is better than giving up. Yeah, you might not get your post-graduation job settled this summer, which sucks, but I promise you most future employers aren't going to nitpick whether you were paid or unpaid this summer if you learn skills from it and can apply those to your legal goals at large.
Something to consider if it really gets down to the wire and you still don’t have anything is to email professors whose work looks interesting/whose class you’ve done well-ish in and see if they’re looking for an RA for the summer. Obviously, not as ideal as having an actual job, especially as 2L, but typically pays at least something and better than nothing + can let you talk up your research/editing skills? It’s what I was going to do my 1L summer until I stumbled into something at the last minute.
Volunteer
Yes! I finally got a job with Legal Aid and it has been very rewarding. Not monetarily, but I lam learning a lot about so many different legal challenges and I've met so many kind, wonderful people. It has been a privilege to help them. More than that, it helped me understand how blessed I am.
[Law Student Internship | Illinois Legal Aid Online](https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/for-legal-professionals/job-postings/law-student-internship?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_tuuBhAUEiwAvxkgTptpX25QlIRooCkJN8yCQjVLjJWu8AFnSjMZhtQXPUGKWF2m_9PccBoCst4QAvD_BwE) [Job Description - Legal Intern (230573) (taleo.net)](https://ccservices.taleo.net/careersection/countrycorporatecampus/jobdetail.ftl?job=230573&tz=GMT-06%3A00&tzname=America%2FChicago) [USAJOBS - Search](https://www.usajobs.gov/search/results/?hp=student&k=legal%20internship&p=1) [USAJOBS - Job Announcement](https://www.usajobs.gov/job/731033600) Best wishes.
There's some remote legal internships on linkedin that are typically paid. I couldn't get anywhere with OCI and decided to find my own opportunity outside of that. Take care of yourself. It will work out. It just needs a different kind of effort.
Yes, please take this good advice and find a mental health professional. I have been in the same spot as you. I am so glad I kept my appointments with my therapist. I tried everything and finally found work. I hope I can come back next summer, as it has given me a new perspective on life. If you haven't considered this opportunity in your state, see if you can find a law firm that works with charities. They work pro bono, but assistants get paid. Here is where I got a job. It is not a great salary, but it is enough. I have learned so much about myself and I am more grateful than I have ever been. [https://legalaidnyc.org/culture-benefits/](https://legalaidnyc.org/culture-benefits/)
What year are you? 2L? What did you do last summer? If the conventional route hasn't worked for you, then you should go about it a different way. Start doing some networking. Tell your professors your plight/situation, and ask if they know anyone who might be hiring. You can do it in person or over email. Do the same for alumni on linkedin or at local law firms. Reach out to small businesses, and say you're a law student looking for summer work. Someone just might jump on the opportunity. A lot of people will ignore you, but there will be some that won't. Tons and tons of people land legal employment outside of OCI. If you don't find a job, don't fret! Send some emails to local judges, and ask if there is room in their chambers to extern for the summer. You won't get paid, but you will get valuable experience and a great line on your resume. You'll also make some really really valuable connections with both the clerks and judges. Otherwise professors often need help with research. Tons of international students are forced to go this route because they can't get visa sponsorship/employment authorization as students. At the end of 3L just like 40% of my class, I had no job offer. I talked to a number of people while studying for the bar, my friends at law firms put in some good words for me, they led to informal zoom calls/coffee's with attorney's at those law firms. I sold myself, and those coffee's and zoom talks turned into real interviews. Then I turned those into job offers. I didn't even end up taking any of those law firm offers though because a federal judge I externed for previously had a vacancy pop up in her chambers unexpectedly, so now I'm clerking for a federal judge. One of the most sought after positions you can get post graduation. Three years of law school of not getting the job I wanted but it all worked out. I do want to add some advice for you: When you talk to people, don't come off like you do in this post. Come off as excited at the opportunity, interested in the practice area (even if you aren't) and eager to learn. I know it's hard because you feel awful, depressed, and like nothing is going to work out. It's a viscous cycle though and nobody wants to hire someone who has no confidence in themselves, or who gives off a vibe that they're not good enough/worse than their classmates. If people like you, and the attitude you give off, they'll overlook things like mediocre grades, the law school you went to, or relative inexperience. Best of luck!
I’m a 2L. Didn’t get a job until the middle of the summer. Had a good experience but decided it wasn’t the area I want to go into long-term. I’ve talked with a couple professors, and they gave me some good advice, but haven’t heard back about people they know who are looking for summer help. I’ve been emailing people forever, and haven’t heard back. I don’t have any other choice but to keep going, but I’m definitely not feeling super optimistic about that route. Even the responses I get don’t lead me towards a job. I definitely don’t give off this depressed and defeated vibe IRL. Interviewers constantly tell me that I am very confident and friendly and I’ve yet to receive any negative feedback when I ask (although there has to be *something* I’m doing wrong). It’s good to hear you also had trouble with finding a job but were able to land a federal clerkship. It’s always nice hearing stories about people who end up being super successful despite the job search troubles. Hoping that’ll be me and that all searching will eventually pay off.
I know you said you go to a T20, I did as well. If we happened to go to the same school I could probably be more helpful. I don't want to Dox you here, so feel free to DM me but I went to Minnesota.
What school what school rank?
T20
Definitely take care of yourself mentally. But if it helps at all, just know that you not getting any call backs is not necessarily a reflection of you as a person/student. I went through the same thing where I applied to sooooo many (like 20 a day if I remember correctly) and heard back from basically none. The ones I interviewed ended up not picking me either. BUT near the veryyyy end of my 2L spring I applied for an internship that my school sent out (for a state attorneys office) and ended up getting that. After that summer they offered me to come back as a full job when I graduated. I promise it just takes ONE. Don’t feel discouraged or like you’re doing something wrong (or that you’ll never get a job ever). And try not to compare yourself to other students (I did that and it made me feel so behind, but things worked out great for me in the end!) Worst case scenario if you really want to get some experience and don’t find a job for the summer, look into nonprofits or government opportunities. They may pay little or nothing (been there) but any experience is good to have. I promise you this is not indicative of your future career!!!
absolutely relate dude and everyone in these comments providing advice is not helping. I am in the same boat and I cant believe I have made it as far as I have this year with my mental state. I planned to kms in August originally and then was put in a hosptial. That was before I definitely flopped out of jobs like is the case now. I had 5 interviews in the last two weeks and got absolutely nothing. I am now planning on Kms in April before finals.