Crossroads: It ain't just a movie with Britney

As the title might suggest, I am finding myself at a fork in the road. As I begin looking to my future, both long and short-term, there are a number of paths ahead of me. However, the main division for any law student is between private and public. This is one of the dilemmas facing me, along with a host of sub-dilemmas.

I have received two job offers; one from a U.S. Attorney's Office, and one from a big law firm (both in Wisconsin). Now, I've been thinking of pursuing a career in federal prosecution, working for the DOJ, so this could be a great opportunity. On the other hand, there might be the possibility of working for the U.S. Attorney in Boston as part of a clinical program later on. In that case, perhaps I should try something else. I could work for the big firm, make lots of money, and have fun with my friends and family in Wisconsin. But is that the right decision? Would it be wrong? I don't think so, but it does seem somewhat light.

Furthermore, do I want to be going back to Wisconsin? I do love it, don't get me wrong. But now is also the time for me to spread my little wings and try new things (I didn't really mean for that to rhyme). I've been thinking that now would also be a good time to try different venues to see if I would enjoy working there. If I'm seriously thinking of a career in the federal government, it might be helpful to see what it's like to live in D.C. Of course, nothing beats the big market of Manhattan. After all, if I can make it there. . . And the recent weather has made me consider California as a serious contender. Perhaps what I need is a change of pace, a change of climate; in which case, San Francisco and L.A. seem very appealing. Plus, if I see myself pursuing a career outside of Wisconsin, maybe I should be networking and making those connections now.

Now, don't misunderstand me. I'm not one of those individuals who thinks that the job I take now will necessarily determine the rest of my life. In fact, we hear time and again how much the 1L summer is a freebie to do whatever you want. Perhaps this is even a source of further consternation (to borrow a word seldom used, except, maybe by Weinreb). Do I take this opportunity to do something I hadn't thought of before? Such as working for the general counsel of an art museum or film studio?

I think a major problem is my desire to keep my options open, to avoid having to make real decisions. Do I dare embark on a path that closes off others? Sure, I can still change and do something else for my 2L summer (or beyond), but what I do now might make other options easier or harder. Sigh. If only I knew what I wanted. Anyone just want to tell me?