Need Advice

[Johnster]

I have an unpaid externship lined up with a big law firm this summer that is 20 hours/week.  In fact, since I get 4 credits for it, it's basically like I have to pay to work there (though I guess I can take 1 less class my 3L year or something).  I figure working at a V50 firm might lead to some good networking and lead to a clerkship my 2L summer. 

I was planning on doing a random part-time job (even non-legal) this summer in addition to get some $$.  However, now the DOJ wants to interview me for a 20 hour/week gig over the summer.  If I did this, I would basically be making no money. 

My question is this: Would having DOJ on my resume in addition to the externship help me at all?  I've heard that firms don't really care so long as you did _something_ so are unlikely to be impressed just because you did multiple things.  Would it be wise to take DOJ over the externship given that I wouldn't have to pay for summer credits?   

[Changed Name]

Big law firms have unpaid externships?  Interesting.

[lclaw]

I also have an internship lined up this summer with the US attorney's office, but I have also signed up for our externship law firm program as my second choice.

[M_Cool]

Yeah, lots of firms have internships.  They are usually through your school.  I think often times partners are adjunct faculty at the school and the administration gets them to set something up.