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The Hammer Falls

Well folks, it's almost over. The giant questionmark hanging over the Summer Classes of 2009 is about to transform into an exclamation point. I was discussing the prospects of getting an offer with a friend today, and we agreed that there is no result that will not shock us. If everyone gets offers, that's shocking. If no one does, also shocking. Even if offer rates drop to 50-80%, as some predict, that too will be unprecedented in recent history.

I don't know what will happen to me yet, but I know it will confuse the hell out of me. Obviously, I would like an offer. The prospect of going through OCIP again gives me night terrors. But, if I get an offer and good people I know do not, I will be racked with surivor's guilt. (If you get one and I don't, I expect nothing less from you.) If I do not get an offer, it's back to the drawing board. Do I keep at it in this miserable economy, move to a gentler market, try public interest, chase my dreams of professional writing? How will I manage to pay rent under any of these alternatives, let alone student loans?

This is a pickle that I'm sure many of us will find ourselves in during the coming months. Let me be the first to say, we will all be fine. We're smart, talented, motivated, and nerdy; someone somewhere will eventually want to pay us for something. As hackneyed as it is to say it, this too shall pass.

But while it's passing, I expect there will be a lot of questions, emotions, freakouts, rants, tears, laughter, flatulence, and introspection. Let Nuts and Boalts be a place where we can come together and share such things, provide advice or commisseration, and just generally work through it as peers.

As you start to find out more about your career prospects, share your thoughts below. Let us know if you've been deferred and how you plan to spend the time. Bitch your heart out if you got no offered. Fill us in on how you're coping, and give some advice to others in the same boat. And this doesn't have to be just a Whiners' Association conference. If you secured an offer in this economy, we want to congratulate you. If you never even thought about going to a firm and are now enjoying some public interest option and laughing at me right now, that's cool; I deserve it. We can appreciate tales of both woe and redemption.

I'm going to end this post before it gets any more touchy-feely. But keep it in mind as an outlet for your tormented thoughts in this shifting market. Let's face it, no one else wants to hear your crap. That's why you're here.

Full post as published by Nuts & Boalts on July 30, 2009 (boomark / email).