Except for the lucky few, most of us are relying in some way on loans to pay for our law education. Many of us are relying on loans to cover Ugrad and Law school. Some of us are in debt for additional reasons. The bottom line is, and I would love for eben to address this, is where do loans come into play in our discussions about changing the world and pursuing permanent employment.

As far as changing the world, I find it somewhat elusive to discuss how anyone can institute change as long as he or she knows how and where to start. Creative thinking and a legal degree which you do not pawn off when you become a "plumber" sound great. That is, they sound great until CitiBank comes a'knockin. It would be great to be able to come out of law school and focus your life on making change and helping others, with whatever motivation you might have for doing so (this is developed more fully in another threat I believe).

This last summer I interned with the Make-A-Wish foundation in an administrative capacity. I loved the work and I, for whatever motivations I might have had for doing so, hope I made some sort of meaningful difference. However, I know that if I checked my law license at the door and became a plumber, I could make an even greater positive difference. To finance a "wish" it usually costs between 1500-3000K. I know that even if I am working 300 hours per week at a big law position and I never see the sun, I will make more of a difference for one little girl who wants to become a disney princess for a day or a little boy who wants to be a power ranger and save the day. Change, as eben said, starts with the people who know how to implement it. I know where to start. It starts with money.

Now on to employment. So, what of my options. I would like to hear some thoughts on what one does, if you want to avoid working for one of "those" firms or working in the public interest coming out of CLS?

I'd love to hear thoughts

-- AdamGold? - 31 Jan 2008

Adam, what happens to you when you work just to get money? Will we need a Make a Wish foundation for 4th year Associates at Davis Polk? My fear is that there are far easier ways to make a lot of money than working at a law firm.

Instead of asking "what one does," I would ask yourself what you want to do. You are sure to find a better answer to your first question than if we tried to answer it for you.

-- AdamCarlis - 31 Jan 2008