interviews with myself

I have two interviews. The first one is for a law clerk (a term for short-term associate, usually during school) position with a D.C. metro firm doing litigation and estate planning. That is on Friday. The second one is for an externship position with the city working on land use and real estate issues. That is on Monday.

Sorry I can't be more specific - it's not because I don't want to share, but it's because I am, in a certain respect, not allowed to. As an aside, I'm in a bit of a quagmire with respect to writing a blog because there are employers who hound the Internet for info.

But let me digress a little. I got both calls over the last week, and while it feels awkward, it feels right. I've been dishing out resumes and cover letters left and right and it was, at first, a viciously unnerving experience. However, as I continued to bring these setbacks into the context of my faith and chanted for the happiness of myself and my YMD, I felt a sense of mission to turn poison into medicine. As some of you may know, entering prof school was a ride, to say the least, but as my law school career comes to an end, I can clearly identify the moments where I broke through my own karma to create tangible results. My point is, whether these interviews go well or not, I intend to show who I have become through these experiences to the interviewers - to that extent, these are interviews with myself.

Now, back to the actual jobs. I went to the firm's office today, just to make sure I knew where it was, and jeez... you can definitely see the difference between the private and public sector... Marble flooring, glass everywhere, shiny nameplates, and a mammoth building. I felt out of place with my American eagle checkered shirt. The job entails a lot of research and writing, which I am confident in doing, but it is also admittedly in a field that I am not too familiar with - estates and trusts. But they know that based on my application, so I know there is a reason they want to speak with me. Litigation, on the other hand, is something I have substantial experience in, albeit not in the private sector. On a more general level, I'm really excited about interviewing here. This is a mid-size and growing firm, and it's conveniently right outside DC.

The city job is in a field that I am extremely interested in (land use). I've had a fair amount of academic training in the field as a research assistant and clinic student, but not professional experience. But, if I'm able to step my foot in here, it would be invaluable insofar as land use law is practiced on the municipal level. To make a comparison, if someone wanted to make themselves the most marketable to get a federal tax law job, it would be in their best interest to work for the IRS, or perhaps the SEC.

Time to chant and face myself!