I have been given the ability to travel to three European countries and perform in a local and prestigious youth symphony or the ability to intern at one of the nations top medical malpractice plaintiff firms. Being a medical malpractice lawyer is my goal career, playing the horn is more of a hobby/ extra curricular. Which do I pursue?
A HS intern isn’t going to work if substance. Also, you are 5 years or so away from law school. I’d go on the concert tour.
Go to Europe and make music. Once you are in college you may have to intern to reach your goals and your hobbies will likely have to take a back seat.
Do whichever one you want to do! Either one will look great on an application.
You are a rising HS junior. right? Go to Europe. Leverage your family contacts when it is meaningful. Can kids even sign confidentiality agreements? Does a national top medical malpractice law firm HAVE children on site?
Go to Europe. Unless you have had at least a year of law school, internships at law firms are pretty useless. I’m a partner in a law firm, and our high school and college interns do menial work, such as filing, copying, etc. It’s not a great job - my daughter opted to work at the local grocery store instead of my office, even though we pay more.
I’d go to Europe – it sounds like that is a once in a lifetime opportunity. There is plenty of time to intern down the road. I’d speak with someone at the law firm, let them know that you have the unusual opportunity to travel to Europe with a youth orchestra this summer but you remain very interested in their firm and the field and hope they would consider you again for an internship for the following summer.