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I am seriously considering relocating this January. I will finish law school in December, and definately need a change of pace, I'd rather attempt to try to live my dream out, there, than do what's expected of me now, here (big city / big firm / end of youth).
My question(s):
1) Are there jobs available in vi for someone with an elite law school degree? Whom should I contact for info--does anyone know?
2) Will I be S-O-L if I just show up at the airport with my backpack, and the remainder of my student loan cash, and start wandering around looking for cheap lodging? Should I try to secure an apartment from stateside, without any knowledge of the various towns, neighborhoods, etc?
3) How much would it cost to just be a bum for a few months, and explore my various options? What is the cheapest way to live (and where) somewhat proximate to the city?
Please feel free to respond any question(s) you think you can help me with-- don't worry if you can't weigh in on the rest.
Gratefully,
Allen
Posted : November 15, 2005 11:53 pm
Sorry, Allen...Thought I would change your topic, as "jobs" and "lawyer jobs" are two different things. You might try to send a PM to Onika about work, or she might see this. 😉
Posted : November 16, 2005 11:47 am
Just wondering which elite law school you attended. Unless you went to YHS(Yale, Harvard, Stanford), it's more about what your abilities than your diploma, welcome to the real world.
Research my reply to a paralegal looking for employment, might be helpful to you too.
Posted : November 17, 2005 6:41 pm
Oh, my EE, I just happened upon this post. Haha. 🙂
Seriously Allen, I don't have very much to offer. I came here after several years of practice in SF, CA and I don't know whether I would appreciate or enjoy my legal and personal life here if I had just graduated. That said, I have to agree with Jerk. Being an alum of an elite school is pretty irrelevant here, it's your work that will speak for you. At most I understand there are certain partners who are fond of hiring fellow law school alums. Check with your career office to see if they have any contacts on-island.
I also advocate sitting for the bar exam in the state you intend to settle BEFORE you come down here. I did take the VI bar when I got down here, but having taken CA previously I know that if anything happens and I choose to leave, I have somewhere else to go and will not need to sit for the dreaded MSBE again.
Whatever you decide...good luck with the backpacking-freewheeling thing! Ah, to be young again.
Onika
Posted : November 17, 2005 7:58 pm
Topic starter
Ouch. U of Chicago prides itself in being competitive with those (admittedly) top 3. I think we're ranked about #5. I was hoping my pedigree would do SOME work!
Posted : November 18, 2005 12:33 am
Topic starter
sorry to everyone for inundating the board, but-
setting aside my questions about lawyering (which are actually secondary) does anyone have advice about lodging? that is, will I be able to just show up at the airport and start wandering around and find something affordable? does anybody have advice re: research I could do from here / which neighborhoods or resources to begin with upon arrival?
-Allen
Posted : November 18, 2005 12:45 am
Allen: I know people who did just that- showed up with a backpack. If you do, have enough money to keep yourself going awhile.The other idea, which is usually more for professionals, is to schedule a couple of week visit. Stay at a guest house, take your resume around, write down every phone number of every possible contact. In the meantime, talk to everyone you can about living here, areas, etc.
Neighborhoods don't mean much, as zoning and city planning are non-existant. It is better to get a sense of what you want by driving around or living here awhile. The Island Trader, a free paper, comes out on Thursdays. It has a lot of real estate ads, but they read "Rentals-East" and "Rentals-West," so you still have to get out there and see what housing looks like! As an aside, it always amazes me when people say that St Thomas is too busy or too developed. Most of the housing options are in fairly rural areas.
Posted : November 18, 2005 11:57 am
Hello,
Showing up at the airport and wandering around may not equal finding something affordable. Your better bet is to contact some of the small inns & guesthouses for rates and seeing which is in your budget and make reservations for a couple nights or at least have a list of possibilities so once on island you can call those on your list to see if they have openings.
The Island Trader is where you can look for apartment classifieds. Some folks put for rent signs at the end of their driveways, so when driving around you can keep an eye out. Also word of mouth - so ask people you meet. Check bulletin boards in grocery stores and small mail centers too.
--Islander
Posted : November 22, 2005 2:04 am
This is a great website...am a senior planning to relocate to ST. Thomas....what is the job market like for seniors...with clerical skills? Need a two bedoom apartment close to UVI...
Posted : November 22, 2005 10:10 am
Dear Corinne,
The job market is good for anyone regardless of age if you have a good work ethic and marketable skills. Once you get settled in, start checking all the job listings and then hit the streets - I really don't think you'll have a problem. Good luck!
Posted : November 23, 2005 5:52 pm
