I' m behind the wheel. . do you like my hair? #Route66
When a law student asks for job search strategies for
getting a job or internship, I usually say that the one thing that should NOT
be done (for sure!) is to send out a “one size fits all” cover letter. Well, if
I may step up to the confessional and kneel. . . I would tell you that I did
EXACTLY that when I was a rising 3L applying for a summer internship.
Midway during my 2L year, I decided that I wanted to intern
with a United States Attorney’s Office – any
U.S. Attorney’s office – anywhere!
I did want a position in the Criminal Division, but if offered one in a Civil
Division, I would have taken it in a heartbeat. So I did the unthinkable – I sent
a generic cover letter to over 50 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the
country (during the years that I went to law school, most law students at
Georgetown Law didn’t even know what Career Services was (like me), so I sure
that I am not offending anyone in that current office by this admission against
interest). . .
. . Low and behold – I got two “bites.” The U.S Attorney’s
Offices in Los Angeles AND San Diego were interested! Yes, the only two offices
that were the least bit interested in me were both over 3,000 miles away
from my apartment in Washington, D.C!
After final exams, I gathered up what passed for traveling
money that I had (it would be called “loose change” today) and with some added
financial assistance by my parents, I boarded an airplane and flew
cross-country for the final ‘in person” rounds of interviews with both offices
(San Diego first, and then I rented a car and drove up through Disneyland and
into the Spring Street office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles)..
Two weeks later, I received the letter that I had already become accustomed to the
– “You have such absolutely off the
charts stellar credentials that we simply cannot believe it!!!. . BUT,
unfortunately we are sorry to say that we can’t hire you.” – letter. However, a week later, my fortunes took an
abrupt turn for the better as I received an acceptance letter for an summer
internship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, CA. . Yes, indeed! .
. off to lalaland!
I packed up my UN-air-conditioned Chevy Chevette (do they
even make those things anymore?) and headed cross-country, arriving three and a
half days later (having dropped off a colleague who was interning in Denver
along the way). I was able to quickly sublet an apartment in San Monica from
two guys who were sound engineers for the motion picture industry. One looked
like Charles Manson and the other a young Michael Chang (probably Warner
Brother guys) . Sorry Michael ( @changesq. ). but you know I care!)
I’ll share one trial experience that I had during this summer
internship in Part II. For now, keep in mind that there are no strict rules
that work for everyone in their search for summer and/or fall internships.
While I STILL DON’T recommend “blasting” out generic cover letters, I do
appreciate that all law students need to “think out of the box” and figure out
for themselves new and innovative strategies to go out and get internships. Don’t
just stare into your Symplicity screen and sigh because there is nothing
available.
WATCH OUT FOR PART II OF MY L.A. INTERNSHIP: . . . .BAG MEN, DEFENDANTS CRYING ON THE WITNESS
STAND. . It will be better than an episode of “The Good Wife!”
