scared.
I’m in my first year at a top-tier NLU, and while I’m not exactly anywhere near the top 30 of my class, I am a hard worker with sufficiently decent oratory skills. I’ve had several seniors and peers frighten me with stories of how difficult it is to get placed for students with relatively low CGPAs and since my grades aren’t anywhere near what is considered acceptable by NLU standards, I’ve often had sleepless nights incessantly worrying over my future. I know I’m only in my first year and a lot can happen over the next four years, and I also know that corpjobs aren’t what I’m looking for. What I would like to know is if and what other jobs are available at the end of my duration at law school and how difficult it is to gain a decently paying, but enriching job for a person such as myself. A little reassurance would be nice, is all :/
4 Replies
I’m a final year NLU student with the same predicament as you, and here’w hat i have to say.
The first thing you need to do is decide your priorities, Do you want money?, or do you want self fulfillment by helping society?. I’m not saying the two are mutually exclusive, its just that working at Amarchand Mangaldas is not exactly doing something for charity. Do you even want to stick in the field of law once you are done?. I have had people here who interned their ass off in their first three years, only to realize that they want to sit for the UPSC or CAT. (btw IIM+NLU LLB = LETHAL COMBO!)
Secondly, INTERN INTERN INTERN!
Once you decide that you actually want to stick to Law, then you need to start paying attention to your internships, I know people who were at barely 50 percentile of their class, but got through trilegal, because they made up for their lack of diligence in their studies at their inernships. Now internships can be a soul crushing experience. Firms will not give you fulfilling work at first, but whatever little comes your way, do it diligently. I once made the mistake of messing up a thing as simple as chronologically arranging documents. I was considered unreliable after that and was told to just sit in a corner and “chill” . My co-interns graduated from the mundane clerical to research. If you like a place for its work environment, don’t hesitate to ask them if you can intern again, most firms will be glad to have you as a regular intern if they are satisfied with your work.
WRITE WRITE WRITE!
The best part of law school is that it gives you exposure to a lot of diverse fields. We were told on our first day that lawyers have to be a “Jack of all trades”, and its true. Try to focus your creative energies on conferences at first and journal publications later, it bulks up your CV nicely, and gives you that all important shot of self confidence.
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME.
Whatever happens, do not waste your time like I did, don’t sit in your hostel room thinking that you have 5 years ahead of you, and that you can start tomorrow. Try building up on whatever little you know. Start by going to your library and reading a few journals, it might seem intimidating at first, but you will get the hang of it if you persevere. I have heard that one guy, a senior, who is a complete stoner ,but was passionate about the cause and worked towards it. Now he has a dedicated narcotics practice at Delhi, IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES!
DO NOT WORRY!.
The legal services industry in India is EXPLODING at the moment, new firms are starting up every day, and new associates will be required to staff them, not to sound elitist, but you are lucky to be an NLU student. Staff attrition is at an all time high, you will be fine.
I hope I have eased your doubts.
Hey,
You would make such a good buddy.
Thank you. No, really. Your advice is really helpful and has helped placate my fears. I wish you all the very best for your future :)
This is a thread I had read a few weeks back. The post really inspired me. I am about to enter a law school in some time. Thanks!