1L Fall can feel like a lot. On top of case briefs, cold calls, 1L rep elections and the Blue Book, the last thing you may want to think about is a 1L job. While you have time, it’s never too early to consider what you want your experience to look like this summer, and start planning accordingly. 

Astronomers refer to the Goldilocks Zone as a potential place for extraterrestrial life to thrive. In the cosmos of 1L summer opportunities, think of your personal Goldilocks Zone as where you will thrive as you begin to put the hard-earned legal skills from this year to work. 

The Career Services Office, your 1L professors, and 2Ls and 3Ls are great resources if you have questions. Additionally, here are some questions for you to help you get started. 

Where do you want to end up (geographically)? 

Do you want to work in Boston after law school? Are you considering returning to your home state? Maybe there’s a market you don’t have many connections to that you are curious about. A good way to begin narrowing down where to apply when it comes to 1L jobs, and start figuring out your strategy, is determining where you want to be for your 2L summer and beyond. 

For example, I knew I wanted to return home to San Diego for my 2L summer (and after law school), so looking for 1L internships there – and eventually securing one – helped me show interest in that market when applying for 2L positions. 

Alternatively, if you’re new to Boston – and know you want to remain here post-grad – finding a summer internship in Boston is a great way to establish ties and build connections for the rest of your legal career. 

Narrowing down location can also help you develop your job-finding strategy. If you know you want to be in Boston, the Massachusetts Law School Consortium (MLSC) Government & Public Interest Recruitment Program, which for 1Ls takes place in January, is a great opportunity to connect with employers and apply for summer internships. On the other hand, I found my San Diego internship through connecting with employers at virtual career fairs. 

What do you want to do? 

Now, if you are like me, you may be thinking. “I’ve been here less than a month. I’m not sure I know what a tort is. I definitely don’t know what subject matter jurisdiction is. How am I supposed to know what kind of legal work I want to do over the summer?” 

Which, fair, honestly. And this might not feel helpful, but the world really is your oyster when it comes to 1L jobs, so do something that interests you, or try out an area of law you may not know much about. For example, I knew nothing about tenants’ rights going into my internship, but found myself loving that area of law. 1L summer is a low(er)-pressure opportunity to explore your interests. 

Alternatively, think about what kind of skills you want to build. Do you want to get better at interviewing people? Are you trying to strengthen your writing skills? Do you just love research? Knowing what skills you want to take away from your internship can help build questions for prospective employers so you have the best experience possible. 

What kind of legal job do you want? 

If you’re thinking that sounds a lot like the last question, you’re right, but I think this question warrants its own section. Knowing what kind of job you are considering can help you create a timeline – for example, in terms of judicial internships, federal judges usually hire before state judges. 

At the same time, a caveat I think is worth emphasizing: don’t only apply to one type of job. Be curious, and cast a wide net. At the end of the day, what you do for 1L summer does not need to be what you do for the rest of your career. There are so many opportunities out there – while ideally you get the internship of your dreams, you may not, and that’s okay. 

Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Don’t miss out on a good opportunity – and in the long run, less stress – just because you’re worried about the prestige of your 1L job. You have bigger problems. Like the parol evidence rule.  

What are your practical concerns? 

What will be your transportation options? If you drive, how much are you willing to pay for parking (do not get me started on parking garages in downtown San Diego)? Do you want to work in a fast-paced environment, or in the wake of 1L will you want something more chill? 

Will you be applying for a scholarship or grant? If so, what are you eligible for? BC’s Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) stipend is a great cushion for BC students, and depending on what kind of work you are doing you may be eligible for additional funding like the Racial Justice Stipend. 

Don’t discount outside scholarships either – Equal Justice Works America provides summer fellowships, and there are outside grants available for those pursuing judicial internships in Massachusetts. The CSO and PILF can help you learn more about various opportunities for funding. 

The CSO has two lunch programs coming up that will help sort some of these unanswered logistics out for you: “1L Summer Job Search Overview” on September 26, and “Meet the 2Ls: Explore 1L Summer Options” in the Yellow Room at lunch on October 9, where dozens of other 2Ls can tell you in person why they liked their 1L summer work and how they chose it.Once you’ve thought about your 1L summer job, and have a better idea of what you’re looking for – apply, apply, apply.

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Samantha Torre is a 1L student at BC Law. Contact her at torrs@bc.edu.