We only agree if you agree that working in a non-legal field over your 1L summer does not necessarily show lack of motivation/drive/etc. to an employer.
Well, maybe we don't agree
completely.I'll agree that it doesn't
necessarily show lack of all the good stuff I mentioned. That said, based a large amount of anecdotal evidence and research, the market-paying firms will (generally) look down upon a non-legal job your 1L summer if you have nothing else legal-related on your resume to point to. I'm not saying you're definitely screwed, but again I will go back to my hypo. Answer me this: You are interviewing for a Summer Associate gig at a local firm. Helpful Chap and Astro are two candidates who are equal in all ways except for 1 - on Helpful's resume it says "2007 - Summer - Smith & Johnson - Summer Associate" and on Astro's resume it says "2007 - Summer - Bill's Taxi Co. - Taxi Driver." Our gpas are close to the interview cutoff, so it's between these two candidates for the last interview spot. Who gets the interview? Also, a variation - same situation, except they've interviewed both candidates and can't decide which candidate to hire. Who gets the job?