I currently assist with hiring at one of the "match" firms in Calgary, and was in charge of hiring for a couple years.
The job market is very strong for students coming out. Some of the bigger match firms (mine being one of the "smaller" ones) are complaining that too many of the quality applicants are taking jobs in Toronto or Vancouver when we really need that talent here in these booming times.
Starting salary here is $65K, I think one or two of the bigger firms are paying $70K, but I'm not sure on that.
Many firms that hire multiple students in the match program lose a student or two even before articles start due to unforseen circumstances (marriage, family developments, etc.), so I'd say, if you want a job at a big national firm, you probably have a good shot at it.
But I agree with the above comments about being careful what you wish for. Those biglaw jobs aren't always all they're cracked up to be (some of the firms are truly rough on their students). Personally, I love where I'm at and our students seem to as well.
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