Should I change a career from law to something else?

Question

I graduated from law school and passed the bar but I don't want to be a lawyer. I have over $70,000 in loans to pay back and I don't want to be poor for the rest of my life. Is it a good idea to start all over and find something I like better? Is it worth the risk because I don't think I will be happy working in some dead end job no matter how much I hate practicing law (at least you make more money doing that)

Answer 1

I think you should first stick to where you are and earn money so that you can pay off your debts. Afterwards once you are firmly rooted and have a hold on life then while you are still at this job you can take a look at your other options since there’s no risk in looking. If you do find a good break and a “happy job” then you can switch jobs without thinking twice which will also not be risky!!!!!!!

Answer 2

There are so many fields of law to choose from which could make a huge difference in the type of work you would be doing. If you like sports try to get into sports law, sports agents, etc... I like what the lady above me suggests and that is probably the bet route to go, but if ou do go back to school you don't have to start paying back the loans until you finish again. If you really know what you want to do, then go back to school for it and when you get out you will have two degrees and will have the fact that you are a bar certified lawyer to put on your resume. With two degrees and the flexibility of being trained and educated as a lawyer plus being certified would aid you tremendously in getting a better than average job once its all said and done.

Answer 3

This is what you need to do. Go to officer candidate school, and become an officer in the usmc. (just hear me out).
Once you get out of ocs(i think its 3 months), the military, will completely pay off your student loans for a 6 year commitment. Now, not only that, since you have graduated lawschool, you could become a JAG officer, with a salary of $124,000 per year, AND, complete living expenses. where i live an officer gets $2200 a month for rent, and an additional $800 per month living expenses.
So $124,000x 6 (salary) +$158,400 (rent for 6 years) + $57,600(living expenses)+ $70,000 (student loans)=$1,030,000 in 6 years.
Whats even BETTER, if your stationed outside of the united states, you wont pay a single penny in taxes.
You dont have to use the $3000 a month living expenses, you can sleep in a tent (hardly realistic), and they will still give you that money.
But, on top of that, you get the best healthcare america has to give, You can take that $158,000 in housing, and get a VA loan, with has the lowest interest rates available in the world (world might be stretching it, but sometimes, interest is non-existant)So in 6 years, you could have paid off your loans, made over $1 million tax free, paid off your home.
I am enlisted now, working towards my degree, then going to OCS. Im not a recruiter, so im not feeding you a line of BS. Ive looked up the facts myself.
Oh yeah, youd probably get a $50,000 enlistment bonus to top it off.

Answer 4

There are lots of things you can do with a law degree. There is a book even tellnig you everything you can do; i read it because i was in a similar predicament several years ago. Here I am 15 years later still paying! Why not do something worthwhile like work in a nonprofit, and use your school's loan forgiveess program to reduce your debt. Follow your heart, but do not give up on the law entirely.

Answer 5

There are lots of jobs out there for you without working at a law firm. Many corporations and non-profit (and not-for-profit) organizations have in-house lawyers. Many federal and governmental agencies (at all levels) have some need for poeple knowledgeable in law.

Don't forget about how you learned too... I assume that you've had to do a lot of research, writing, speaking, debate/argument/interrogation, and possibly even some negotiation too. Use those terms when doing your searches too, you may hit upon something that sounds interesting.

For federal / governmental work check out USAJobs.com: http://www.usajobs.com/.

Check out this document called "Things you can do with a law degree other than practice law": http://www.uis.edu/legalstudies/Things%20you%20can%20do%20with%20a%20law%20degree%20other%20than%20practice%20law.doc

Here's a similar article on the ABA's website: http://www.abanet.org/lsd/stulawyer/dec02/jobs.html

Good luck and best of luck in your career search!

Answer 6

Why don't you think of specializing in some area of Law like Technology Law, Company Law, Cyber Law etc.? But, if you really hate practicing law then you must think of doing something else which gives you not only money but satisfaction also. I know one guy who specialized in Human Rights Law and took up a job in a Human Rights NGO. There are many avenues open in law itself please explore them before you take up another line altogether.

Answer 7

The military (OCS) is not a bad idea....

Other than that, maybe you just don't like the idea of being a corporate kiss-*** lawyer, so think about hanging up your own shingle and being a solo practitioner. You could even work from home and designate part of your house as your office for tax purposes.

Answer 8

Maybe you should try working for a firm or in-house for a bit to make some money so you can pay for your debts. After bills are paid off, then consider a different career path.

Answer 9

stick w/ Law