Alana Shockey The George Washington University class of 2009; member of the 2008 summer associate class

Every big decision I have ever made in my life has required a pro and con list. I attempt to put on to paper every reason why the decision I am about to make would be a good or bad decision. The problem with these lists however is the lists are not able to quantify gut feelings.

When I made my list to decide where to work my second year summer I was between three firms in three different cities: Columbus, New York, and San Fransisco. My list came out relatively equally for all the firms. There were great reasons to work in each firm and to live in each city. I was at a total and complete impasse. I sent my list out to my closest friends and family hoping the people who know me the best could tell me what they thought was the right decision.

Without fail everyone told me to go with my gut. In different ways, after pointing out other factors I might consider, everyone told me that the decision I was about to make was not quantifiable on paper.

So what was my gut telling me? Every time I considered Bricker my gut was comfortable and at ease. My gut was telling me, “These are my people”. My gut was comfortable because I felt confident that the people at Bricker cared about me as a person. I was certain Bricker would be a place where I could get projects from several different practice areas in order to find what areas interest me the most. I was convinced that Bricker was a place where people seriously cared about their work and where I could take pride in my work product. I knew that Bricker had a reputation for excellence in the community. But most importantly, I could tell that Bricker was interested in helping me to grow both as an individual and as a young professional.

As my summer at Bricker draws to a close, I can safely say my gut was right. I have found the people at Bricker to be not only bright, intelligent, and hard working, but also fun, relaxed, and entertaining. I believe I have found both friends and colleagues.

The summer decision is a hard one, my best advice to people going through the interview process is to consider everything, consider your long term goals and short term goals, think about the areas within which you may be interested in practicing, and then take a deep breath and choose the firm that is right for you. It may not be the firm that is right for your roommate, your best friend, or the person that sits next to you in class, but it will be a choice that makes your gut feel at ease and will be the choice that enable you to become the best version of yourself.