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November 14, 2008 8:35 am
1. I know alot of unemployed or under employed lawyers
2. No one sais you can't experiment for a year or two before taking the conservative route
3. If you do go on to be a member of the Bar you could always branch off and work in politics...they always need creative writers to get them out of trouble in the public eye...or you could go into Public Relations were you could meld the two....
Take it from someone who spent the first 14 yrs of their working life doing something they had no passion for...Do what your heart tells you and you will figure out how to pay the bills! I am so much happier doing work I have passion for.
Good Luck with your choice.
November 14, 2008 9:32 am
It's a field with a high burnout rate, and I know a ton of lawyers who've left the legal field to write full time. Why not work as a paralegal or a legal assistant for a few years before making the investment in law school? And although you might feel that there isn't much room for creativity as a lawyer, that's not to say you can't write the Great American Novel on the weekends or evenings. In fact, most authors have day jobs, so they're not mututally exclusive! :)
November 14, 2008 12:40 pm
DO NOT become a lawyer. Even if it is the safe thing to do, which can certainly be argued, it will lead to a complete change to your life. Not to say that you can't write as a lawyer, because I'm sure that you could. But dont go into law, or any other field, just because it is the "safe" thing to do. I'm not sure that you could make a living as a writer (nothing against your writing skills) but you could certainly get a job that pays the bills and also write on the side the supplement your income. The world has enough lawyers!
November 14, 2008 12:55 pm
Lots of posts reiterating what I was going to say. If you don't have a passion for law, don't bother. I have a friend who was born for law and truly has a passion for it. His goal was to work for the world court and help change the world. But if you don't have a goal... if you don't have a passion... it's like getting an MBA. Hell, even if your goal is to work for a big firm and make lots of money... at least that's a goal.
My other thought is that you don't need to know what your career is going to be. Most people fall into their careers. As much as you try to "make it happen", doing what you enjoy and seeing where it takes you can be a lot easier on the brain and the heart in the long run.
November 14, 2008 12:56 pm
I agree with all the other posters. Do NOT go to law school just for something to do.
When did law school become a fall back? Most folks I know who have attended say it's horrible and then don't even go on to become lawyers anyway.
It's still possible to find a 'creative' job even in this economy. Worst comes to worst, take any crappy day job to pay the bills and spend your evenings working on the great American novel or designing websites or working on your blog.
Do not spend more time and money earning a degree in something you are lukewarm about. It's not worth it.
November 15, 2008 6:50 pm
I'm sure you would be a very fine lawyer, but it's an intense process to even get there, and it's even a more intense job. Why would you abandon your dreams of writing without even trying?
And who says writing isn't a safe bet? It's a skill that commands respect and a paycheck. I work as a travel writer and no one thought I'd be able to manage that. I don't get paid a lot, but I get to travel for free and I'm very happy. It does help if you have other means of incomes, or a spouse, who can help with the bills.
I'd recommend taking a temp job or part-time job to give you the steady income you need. If possible, opt for a bookstore, library, edit college papers, work at a newspaper (even if you're working admin) to get your footing in the field. Start blogging, build up a reputation and team up with like minded writers and start offering workshops or ecourses to supplement your income.
My brother is a lawyer and pretty much spent 20 hour days either studying or in school. He lamented reading and writing about "contracts" so much that he didn't want to put his contacts in his eyes because it reminded him too much of that dreaded word. Seriously.
So my question is this. If you're willing to put 20+ hour days into law, then why not do that for your writing by looking for clients, starting a blog, looking for jobs at magazines, and doing anything to meet ends meet?
Give yourself six months. Put all of your attention and motivation and will power every waking moment to writing and see how it turns out. I think you'll be surprised at how far you'll have come.
November 16, 2008 8:04 pm
I'm struggling with the exact same decision. I love writing but my mom thinks I would make a good lawyer. I'm about to graduate and came to a conclusion: Public Relations. With PR you get to write and interact with people. You'll be sharpening your skills while making a decent pay check. Good luck.
November 17, 2008 4:39 am
I LOVE this post and ALL the comments...In Feb 08 (9 months ago) I left a corporate job- I was the youngest in the executive team at a malpractice insurance start-up (i.e. both the money and my title gave me bragging rights at parties) BUT my heart and soul were kicking and screaming..I just had to write. I've finished my first book (fingers crossed it'll be out in mid 09) - I'm still not paying the bills, BUT I am following my passion and contributing to society - and that's priceless...I did not feel this way until I did it...I found myself wanting shoes and bags (and all those things we're brain-washed to want) to fill the void. Today $2 flip-flops (as long as they're black) will do just fine. A cubicle-bound existence is way way too much to pay for shoes and bags...I'm not advocating an irresponsible move - but from the sound of it, you've got your head in the right place...good luck and please keep me posted Rachel!
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Grad School Zone
UVA (Darden) MBA Admissions Deadlines for 2010-2011
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The University of Virginia's Darden School of Business recently published its application deadlines for the coming admissions season. Here they are, followed by our comments in italics:
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