Thread by @matt_cam

SO YOU WANT TO BE AN IMMIGRATION LAWYER

I mean, let’s start here: Probably you don't, actually.

But if you’re still reading: You want advice on how to get into (and survive) #immigrationlaw, and I’m here for that.

Here’s all of it.

https://twitter.com/matt_cam/status/1167102482872487936

(1) MAJOR IN ENGLISH. Do not even *consider* another degree.

Writing is my first & best skill as a lawyer. From one-line emails to Supreme Court briefs, it's a craft--and one you owe it to yourself and your future clients to master. This is not optional.

(2) WRITE TO BE READ. Write persuasively. Write with intention. Don't overwrite, don't underwrite. Just write until it's good. Write until it's yours.

It is theoretically possible to be a great lawyer and a mediocre writer, but you shouldn't settle for that. Do the work now.

(3) GOOD EDITING IS GOOD WRITING. Learn how to edit as you go, after you're done, & after you've slept on it.

Learn how to tune everything else out & get into the “zone” that defines a writer.

Develop and stick to a writing routine as an undergrad that you can use for life.

(4) DO SOME THEATER if you can, or at least take an acting class or two. Even some improv comedy, if you must. Get comfortable on stage and learn to roll with whatever happens up there. You'll need that.

(5) BECOME FLUENT IN SPANISH if you aren't already, & try to do an immersion program to improve your fluency if your only exposure to the language has been in the classroom. (This obviously applies to any other languages you know you might be working with.)

(6) "PRE-LAW" IS A CROCK, and absolutely not a thing that you need. Skip it and spend your college time on 1-5 above.

(7) NO ONE WILL CARE WHERE YOU WENT TO LAW SCHOOL--unless you're looking to get into high-level policy work, academia, or maybe some non-profits. (But they will care about *what you did* while you were there.) Go to a great accredited school if you can, a really good one if not.

(8) FOLLOW THE MONEY. If an accredited law school offers you a great finaid package, TAKE IT. Don’t even hesitate, even if it’s not your first choice. Your immigration law career will be over before it starts if you leave with the kind of debt that most law grads carry.

(9) STUDY WHERE YOU WANT TO PRACTICE. Unless you get massive financial aid and/or into a Top 10 law school, I'd generally advise that you go to a law school in the geographical area where you would like to live and practice & build the local connections you'll need later.

(10) LOOK FOR A LAW SCHOOL THAT OFFERS PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Many top schools aren’t actually so good at this. Don’t go to them. Look for a place like @NUSL, where the co-op program will get you into the real world and set you up for a job. This is a relentlessly practical field.

(11) WHILE IN LAW SCHOOL, TRY TO INTERN AT:

(a) a small imm. law office (where most of us are)
(b) a non-profit and/or
(c ) a court/govt agency (#Immigrationcourts are an ideal clerkship)

(Ideally, one of each)

(12) TAKE AS MANY IMMIGRATION-RELATED COURSES AS POSSIBLE. Most law schools really only have one, but if there is a “crimmigration” option (my particular specialty), jump on it.

(13) DO AN #IMMIGRATIONLAW CLINIC

I wish I had been able to. Real experience working with real clients before graduation--even so far as going to court for them--will be invaluable and help you transition from student to practitioner.

(14) GET A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION
If you don’t already have symptoms of depression and anxiety, that’s one of many gifts this job will have waiting for you. Get evaluated during law school to see where you might be at risk. Get a prescription now if you need it.

(15) HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH PLAN

So, so important. And I don’t just mean “do yoga” or whatever (although, sure).

If you *know* you have MH issues, actively address and learn how to function with them NOW or you'll be taking them on for the first time under extreme stress.

(16) DEVELOP HEALTHY EATING HABITS

OK, this one is wicked hypocritical. Maybe its just me, but the temptation to stress-eat as an immigration lawyer is constant.

Find & love healthy snacks. Learn to cook a reliable menu of healthy meals. Pack and bring healthy food with you.

(17) PICK YOUR VICES
Seriously, you'll need 'em.

I'd avoid hard drugs, gambling, & unsafe sex, but plenty of good options short of that: wine, video games, whiskey, cannabis, going to shows--learn to get out of your head for a few hours w/o risking your responsibilities

(18) RESPONSIBLY ENJOY THEM
If you are at risk for alcohol abuse, address that NOW and start your career sober.

If cannabis is more your jam, learn what strains spark your brain & which will get you relaxed & ready for bed. (Speaking of: learn & practice enthusiastic consent)

(19) WORK ON YOUR POKER FACE
I know, I just said to avoid gambling--you're going to be,l to some degree, doing it every day in your career--but there's a lot you can learn from poker, from holding your face steady under stress to knowing when to fold 'em.

(20) ASK YOURSELF WHY YOU WANT TO DO THIS
Then go to bed, consider your answer as you’re going to sleep, and ask yourself again in the morning.

(21) DO YOU WANT TO DO THIS TO "HELP IMMIGRANTS"?
Terrible analogy, but it's kinda like becoming a vet because you "like animals." You’re going to have to watch immigrants suffer, badly & often in ways that you can’t do a thing about. Every day. Maybe for the rest of your life.

(22) ARE YOU AN IMMIGRANT/FIRST-GEN AMERICAN WHO WANTS TO DO THIS TO HELP YOUR COMMUNITY? Awesome, I am especially here for you--but I also can't say I can relate. Seek out & build a relationship with at least one mentor who has had that unique experience.

(23) DO YOU WANT TO DO THIS SO YOU CAN RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE?
Because that's not really going to be an option, at least outside of Twitter or in your car on the way to court. You are going to have to work with and inside it, no matter how much you'll want to burn it down.

(24) DO YOU WANT TO DO THIS TO MAKE MONEY AND SAVE FOR AN EARLY RETIREMENT?

lol

(25) CONSIDER NON-TRADITIONAL RELATIONSHIPS/LIVING

You're going to need all the support you can get, every day. Polyamory and other non-monogamous relationships have worked well for many of us. Co-ops and other collective housing are good too, especially if you want kids

(26) DON'T GET ALL OF YOUR ADVICE ABOUT GOING INTO #IMMIGRATIONLAW FROM SOME JACKASS ON TWITTER
Find a way to connect with local immigration attorneys. (We're easily plied with free drinks.) Unlike most lawyers, we all want more of us out there--and we all want you to succeed.

Okay, I think that's all I've got for now. #Immigrationlaw Twitter, what did I miss?

Also happy to open the floor to questions, here or via DM.

I think most of this advice could apply to any other field of law--but not all lawyers have to write this much, and few
areas will pose as much of a challenge to your mental health. (That & I'm really not qualified to advise on any other field anyway)

FULL DISCLOSURE: I did not do quite a few of the things I'm advising you to do. I sincerely wish I had, or at least that someone had told me everything I just said.

(27) LEARN HOW TO SLEEP
I nearly forgot this one, probably because I'm so sleep-deprived from my week.

There will be a lot of things keeping you awake. Develop good sleep hygiene now--no screens within an hour of bed, quiet/calming environment, etc--and try to stick to it