Im going to be entering college very soon and was deciding what i wanted to do I want to become a lawyer but i heard that the outlook for this job and need will not be there in 8 years when i finish all my schooling. Im just afraid im going to spend all this money then either not pass the bar exam or end up being a paralegal. what should i do? become a doctor instead?
2006-12-28 13:48:53 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Britt...as a lawyer, I can tell you it's not a fun job and you will be expected to give up your life for your career. Parent's 25th wedding anniversary party you planned and Judge tells you at 5pm he expects written submissions in his chamber first thing in the morning...you have to skip the party....that sort of thing always happens. As for whether you'd wind up a paralegal, it would depend on your motivation and the work you're willing to put in...when I finished, jobs were hard to come by, but the most determined got the jobs....and in law, there are lots of determined, aggressive people!
My dad was a Doctor...that didn't look a whole lot better to me, particularly if you are "on call".
Maybe you should see if you can get some work experience in a law firm or prosecutor's office, talk to some lawyers and see what you think. I find about 90% of us wish we had done something else (at least hte criminal lawyers). And the money just isn't there in either of the professions anymore, and besides, what price can you put on a life?
I also recommend you rent the movie "Click" with Adam Sandler...it's about regretting how much time & energy you put into your career, at the expense of the more important things in life.
Have you considered film school, acting or something like that...all those people seem to love their jobs & can make so much more money than lawyers & doctors.
And re what Hott says about med school, law school's pretty much the same, and when you graduate you have to take all sorts of rubbish from some judges, who will also do everything they can to break you. 2 of my colleagues wound up in mental hospitals mid-way through trials, one after a judge told him he was the worst advocate he'd ever seen (and this guy was a nice hard working guy with a wife and kids who didn't deserve it). Good luck with making your decision and ignore people who say you shouldn't have asked here...it's a great place to ask.
2006-12-28 14:13:06 · answer #1 · answered by Taryn C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Figure out what interests you, then take it from there. In college, you should try to talk to professors and people working in the fields you are interested in, and you will get a better idea of the right career for you. Becoming a lawyer requires hard work and the field is very competitive....you have to make really good grades to get one of the highest-paying jobs. But if you like the subject matter, it won't be a struggle. I would expect becoming a Dr. is even harder, since it takes much longer. But don't base your decision solely on market factors.
2006-12-28 21:58:43 · answer #2 · answered by njyogibear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you had to ask strangers online (or anyone for that matter) on what YOU want to do with YOUR life you're obviously not confident enough about this career. Do what YOU want and if you have to ask if you should,maybe it's not a good choice to choose a career defending other people.If you really wanted this,you'd work hard to get it,and not have to put your fate in other peoples' hands
Just to add in case you took this the wrong way,I'm not being rude,I just am saying if you're not sure you probably shouldn't launch into law,since it's a big comitment and it would be a shame for you to take such time out of your life and then decide it wasn't for you. A law degree is an honor but not such a pleasure if you feel a different choice was better
2006-12-28 21:52:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Doctor is a much more noble profession IF you actually care about people. Lawyer is a good profession if you care about the rights of criminals.
2006-12-28 21:51:22 · answer #4 · answered by pfr305 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it from a medical student...it's hell, inconceivably hard, and they purposely break you down emotionally. Go with law. I would only suggest medicine if you feel called to do so, you'll never make it if it's not the path you were born to take.
2006-12-28 21:51:46 · answer #5 · answered by mrs michelle 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you can become a doctor and you don't mind the work, do it.
2006-12-28 22:56:21 · answer #6 · answered by Ace Librarian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋