STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

I am a 3rd year law student.  I have worked for the same law firm since the summer after my first year (about 1.5 years).  The firm I work for does medical malpractice defense.  As graduation approaches, I realize I need to figure out what I want to do.  

I enjoyed the type of work we do...but sometimes do not enjoy working with the people in the firm.  I am highly likely to get a post-grad job offer from this firm.  However, because of the medical aspect of our work...I spend a lot of time researching medical topics rather than gaining legal experience.  I do not feel confident in my legal writing or other legal skills because of this.

Part of me deep down thinks I belong in the family or juvenile law arena.  I do not know for sure because I haven't done any work in this field...it is just a gut feeling I have had for a very long time.

My main dilemma is this:  do I stick it out in a job that I don't really love because it is safe thing to do considering the amount of student loans facing me post-graduation and the fact that record numbers of students are graduating this year and searching for jobs.  Or do I take a chance and try to find something in family law?

I will send my resume to a zillion places, and if I get a job offer at my firm I will probably take it and just continue to look around.  I am scared that I might get sucked in to med mal and end up doing it forever.  I've been told it is hard to switch once you've gotten established.

I am so scared of job searching.  Reality is that I've never had to do it...jobs have always fallen in my lap (including my current one).  How do I gain the confidence I need to be successful at finding the right job for me?