I've been thinking a lot lately about my resumé. I still don't have a solid summertime commitment, so this last week I took part in "On Campus Interviews," an event organized by my law school's career center. The goal is to land a paid summer internship, though I would work for free if I could find a legal internship with an ideal company (think Marvel Entertainment, Tor Book, Nintendo). My more practical interests (thus far) run toward contracts and licensing in creative media. But where internships even exist, they are understandably competitive positions.

And as any 1L can tell you, it's the 2Ls they really want.

Anyhow, being married with children definitely complicates law school planning--in terms of money and time. I have to balance insane amounts of homework against the needs of my wife and children. There is sacrifice involved, and as my wife is fond of reminding me, "this is an investment." But with specific regard to my resumé, there is always the additional question of extra-curricular, co-curricular, and professional activities. The idea is that these things "beef up" your resumé, make you more attractive to employers, land you coveted clerkships and ease the initial job hunt. Some of them are even fun! And there are literally dozens to choose from.

So which ones do you pursue? How much time do you devote? If I were single, I'd probably just spend 80+ hours a week grinding away at whatever I could cram between sleep. But there is a point--often difficult to discern--at which "this is an investment" fails to excuse neglecting one's spouse and children in favor of schoolwork. I don't know the statistics, but law school divorces are at least anecdotally common. That's not an edge I even want to skirt. Law school is worth a good deal to me, but not that much.

Every time another opportunity arises, every contest or scholarship or club or activity, I have to ask two questions. First, can I afford to do this? Second, can I afford not to? I'm still deciding whether it's a good system. More often than not, I let the opportunities pass by. My plate is full enough, though my resumé looks decidedly empty at times. Between raising my children and passing my classes, I scarcely have time to sleep! I wonder, though, am I missing critical opportunities?

I have decided to try for trial advocacy and law review at the end of this semester; at the very least, these co-curriculars result in some course credit. I would also like to find some sort of legal work to do throughout the semester--not only would it bolster my resumé, it would feed my children d^_^b. But beyond that, I don't know how many "bullet points" I'll be able to muster. I'm a pretty smart guy, all things considered, so I'll be fine, but people like shortcuts. People like resumés. People like bullet points.

That may hurt me and I'm okay with that. I do not regret for a moment my commitment to raise intelligent, well-adjusted children who can count on their father to meet their physical and emotional needs. But I will admit to feeling a little bitter toward those who equate achievement and intelligence with what amounts to an inability to carry on a life outside of one's chosen career path.

I don't know how many law students or lawyers read this blog, but what do you think? Am I managing commitments, or missing opportunities? Or do I need to just relax, not think about it, and join every club on campus in my second semester as a 3L? d^_~b