It isn't life-and-death or anything even close to that, but one thing I've learned over my 5 years (can it really have been 5 years since the Sleepless Summer Tour?!) here is that the depth of the community is unmeasurably vast. The perspectives and resources here are simply amazing. I can't think of a better group of whom to ask advice. With that in mind, I hope someone who has been through this can help me out.
I'll be most grateful.
Here's my problem: I finished law school in May, moved to New York, and I simply can't find a job doing anything. I sat for the bar exam at the end of July. I'm underqualified to work at any firms, overqualified to do lots of interesting non-law jobs, and pretty much bewildered. I'm not even sure I could get a job at Starbucks at this point.
I don't know how familiar you are with the law business. I'll give you the quick-and-dirty. Essentially, the "higher" your school ranks, the easier it is for you to find your first job. My school is in the "top 100" and I was in the top third of my class, but that simply isn't enough to get anyone to notice you in this town because my school is small, and not in New York.
So, here's what I'm hoping to get: good, solid advice. I know someone in the community has been through this and has something to say. I'm getting pretty desperate. I've burned through all my reserved cash and now it is do or die time. I'll do almost anything that pays a living wage.
About me: I went to law school. I taught myself calculus. I volunteered for the Kerry campaign in Ohio. I've been one of those really cheerful people who work in the Apple Store. I worked as a public defender one summer. I'm a fast learner. I've been around here since the days of "the bat." I've seen pie fights and Armando v. Everyone and Steve Gilliard's passing and the John Bolton hearings and Condi Rice in front of Congress re: PDB. I remember when Atrios outed himself. I remember when MyDD wasn't insane. I've got a pretty low UID. :)
Got anything?
Thanks!
(YES, I posted something similar to this last week. I got some great ideas, but I'm always looking to be exposed to more and more community members!)