Passion for Fashion
Let's face it: most of us don't particularly enjoy dressing up for firm receptions. But at the same time, common phrases like "business dress" and "business casual" do keep (most of) us dressed as we should be for firm events.Then, in an attempt to be cutesy, someone had to go and invent "snappy casual". This detestable term, ostensibly meaning nicer than casual but less than business cas--I usually wear nice jeans, a blouse, and heels--is even ok in moderation. You're trying to be cool, we get it.
But tomorrow's reception really takes the cake for dress instructions. We were told to dress "Austin casual". Now, for me, one of the things I like best about Austin is that you could ask ten different Austinites their definition of that term and get ten different responses. Is dressing like Leslie considered "Austin casual"? He certainly epitomizes Austin, and his look could certainly be described (perhaps as an understatement) as casual. Or maybe wearing a UT sports t-shirt, as so many Austin residents do, day in and day out, would suffice. I've been told Austin has more triathletes than any other city in the country--could one of their hot spandex outfits be considered "Austin casual"? Or better yet still, why don't I just have the hippies that hang out on the drag and near Barton Springs Pool dress me?
In the end, none of this is actually important, seeing as how I would rather stab myself in the eye with a fork than go to a firm reception on a Friday night. It's even easy enough to know what they want us to wear--probably the same thing I would wear to something "snappy casual"--but the point remains that a city as unique as Austin can't and shouldn't be pigeonholed into one commonly accepted definiton. And for that, I am thankful.
Labels: jobs
posted by The Lioness @ 9:31 PM
8 Comments:
I don't think it's pigeonholing so much as a transparent attempt to suck up to students who value the unique qualities of living in Austin, before sucking the life out of them and turning them into suit-clad pod lawyers.
In the end, none of this is actually important, seeing as how I would rather stab myself in the eye with a fork than go to a firm reception on a Friday night.
Live band at a great venue, free drinks, good food, ends early. You're right. Going to a firm reception on a Friday night is dreadful way to spend the evening.
Anon, if you had a good time, that's great. Sounds like it was more fun than your average firm reception. I'm just not a big fan of schmoozing.
Lunch, I've got it. Here's your new life plan, minus the "schmoozing" element:
1) Quit law right now.
2) Go be a lifeguard at Barton Springs Pool.
3) Tell everyone how you stick it to the man, and that you quit law school so that you wouldn't have to talk to anyone in suits.
4) Buy a trailer home near Barton Springs Pool with that 30K a year salary.
There you have it. The perfect life for someone who can't handle schmoozing... because news flash... if you work in a professional field, whatever it is, it's going to require playing well with others.
Her schmoozing has already paid off. Why should she go spend an evening kissing up to attorneys at a firm she's not particularly interested in, (regardless of the venue), when she already has her summer planned out?
I agree with Ashley for different reasons. I take it that Lunch has already gotten a job with a firm. Congrats, Lunch. But don't get cocky.
The real reason that you shouldn't go to 1L receptions is that they are a complete and utter waste of time and life. The only reason to go to those awful things is If you've always secrectly wished that you could experience a commercial live and in person.
... Yes. Utterly a complete waste of time. There's simply no way receptions could be useful for learning about how a firm interacts, Also, there's no way an attorney you talk to at a reception could end up being the attorney doing on campus screening interviews in September.., oh wait.. that DID happen to quite a few people I know... including myself. SHOCKING!
Meeting an attorney at a reception or not meeting an attorney at a reception really has no determinative effect on whether you will get a job. I went to hardly any receptions, and I still got plenty of job offers.
And with respect to your suggestion that going to a reception teaches you about 'how a firm interacts', are you kidding? Receptions are scripted, and only the personable people from the firm are there. Plus, it's not like anybody is in work mode.
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