text: Let me begin by saying that it's a very bad idea for full-time first-year law students to do anything except attend classes and study. First year is crucial for establishing your credibility and learning the basic foundations of a legal education. While grades are not everything in the job search game, good grades will create opportunities that might not otherwise exist. First-year grades are particularly important with larger firms when making their hiring decisions for the summer following second year.\n\nAfter a grueling first year, though, some students feel they understand the school routine and can balance it with part-time work. There are several reasons full-time students choose to work part time. First and foremost is the money. If you work as a clerk at a firm, hourly wages will differ depending on the firm's size and region. In my hometown of Pittsburgh, for instance, small firms will pay anywhere from $10 to $25 an hour for a part-time law clerk. Your career services office should have information on hourly wages in your area.