Law School Discussion

Hey all. I am right around the top 1/3 of my class at a T30 law school after 1L year. I am not on a journal.  I interned for a federal district judge this summer, and would like to clerk for a federal judge (district or appellate, whatever) after law school, before moving on from there to bigger things.  The judge I worked for told me that when evaluating clerkship applications, almost anything can suffice for a second-summer position...summer associate positions, federal government positions, what have you.

I am applying to firms for summer associate positions, and am exploring my options when it comes to federal appellate internships for next summer.  Question is: what do you guys think is most beneficial?  I am not on a journal, so I'm at a bit of a disadvantage against similarly qualified candidates who will be applying to federal clerkships in a year's time. My thinking is that if I can leverage my just-completed internship into an appellate level internship (which I understand is no gimme at all) that would set me up pretty nicely.  But assuming I couldn't get such a position, would it be at all worth it to intern for another district court judge? What about the same exact judge?

Just feeling a bit lost is all.  Any advice, or even just well wishes, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!