Help Me Decide: Law School Fellowship vs. Investments Internship!
I’m a sophomore at one of the HYPSM schools and I’ve found myself in a bit of a dilemma. I’ve been awarded a $6,000 fellowship for a two-month summer position at a legal nonprofit focused on public interest work. This fellowship, while not financially lucrative (essentially, it’s minimum wage), comes from our institution’s prestigious law school and aligns perfectly with my passion for using data modeling to assess policies that support homeless and low-income communities. Law school is definitely in my future; I’ve thoughtfully considered this path and I’m aiming for a KJD with the goal of securing scholarships at a T14 school.
Unfortunately, my home situation has taken a turn for the worse. My parents are going through a contentious divorce, and my father, who significantly out-earns my mother, is trying to cut off our financial support. My mother is a housekeeper making minimum wage, and I have two siblings to consider. While the fellowship is where my heart lies—allowing me to return home for the summer, especially as I’m recovering from a chronic illness—it puts me in a tough spot financially.
On the other hand, I’ve also received an offer for an internship as a summer analyst at an institutional investments office. This position pays well—around $40 an hour—and while it would provide valuable professional and technical skills, it requires me to be away from home.
Complicating matters further, this internship doesn’t follow the typical investment banking path, so while it pays well, it may not offer the same long-term career opportunities as a traditional investment banking role.
I’m torn between my passion for the fellowship and the financial security of the internship. What would you do in my situation? Choose the fellowship or take the internship?
One response
It sounds like you’re in a really tough position, balancing your passion with financial necessity and family responsibilities. Here are some factors to consider:
Long-term Career Goals: Since you’re certain about pursuing law school, the fellowship aligns closely with your aspirations. Gaining experience in the legal nonprofit sector, especially working on impactful projects related to homelessness and low-income communities, could strengthen your law school applications and help you clarify your interests in the legal field.
Financial Needs: The internship offers significantly more financial compensation, which could be vital given your family’s current situation. It may provide some immediate relief and stability during your father’s divorce and financial issues. Consider how much support your family may need and how you can best contribute during this time.
Mental Health and Well-Being: Given your chronic illness and the emotional toll of your family situation, consider how each option will affect your mental health. The fellowship may allow you to spend time with your family, offering support and creating a more stable environment. Conversely, the internship’s distance may exacerbate stress, especially if you are navigating difficult family dynamics alone.
Skill Development: While the internship would provide you with valuable technical skills, think about how those skills would be relevant to your future aspirations in law. If the second internship does not align with your long-term goals, it might not be worth sacrificing your immediate needs and well-being.
Possible Compromise: Is there a way to make each experience provide you with valuable skills? For instance, the fellowship might also allow you to network within the legal field, while you could potentially find opportunities to develop skills related to data analysis in law through side projects or coursework.
In the end, prioritize what feels right for you given your current context. If the fellowship aligns more closely with your values and career goals, and you feel you can manage financially, that might be the way to go. If the internship is essential for supporting your family and providing immediate stability, that too is a valid choice. Whichever path you choose, remember that this is just one summer, and there will be numerous opportunities in both law and investments throughout your career.