| Topic Name: |
Misconception, the amount of A- - you kiss, and your self worth |
| Message Name: |
the "Golden Years"... |
| Date Posted: |
04/26/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
I wouldn't take that as a reason not to pursue that career. I would take it into advisement and I would see where these peoples' experiences fit with your own vision of the future.
Think about how many doctors are now telling their kids not to become doctors themselves... the business has become a mess. Not necessarily the practice of the discipline itself, but the environment.
I once met a Hollywood movie actress, who, after having some degree of fame and fortune was miserable. Nobody is immune.
That being said, we are all in a better position to re-evaluate law school after having visited this board. At least we have begun to think about what this debt will mean and what our future prospects really are.
I put it to you like this:
I am an IT Consultant who wants to be a lawyer. I know many consultants who are happy in their careers, many others who are not. I am not particularly happy with my current career - I don't think it fits me or what are my strong points. I CANNOT imagine, though, how many of my co-workers would be miserable if we had just spent 3 years and 100k to attend "consulting" school. So many of us fell into the job because it was the best we could get out of undergrad.
And it was - but if I had to spend the next 15 years of my life doing ERP implementations, I might lose it altogether... I am making this analogy because both careers have a great number of similarities. Both involve some degree of prestige, decent income, and service to a client. I was not a comp sci guy in college, never considered myself as such, but this is the position I see myself in now. If I had gone to school for 3 years for this role, I would be feeling miserable and trapped... as would many in my position... Then again, those that love it would love it regardless...
thoughts? |
| Message: |
From my understanding, I got into the game a bit late. Things were still in full swing by 1999 but I was still too junior to take advantage.
By the time I was ready to move on up, the whole economy was soured and "consulting" wasn't the high flyer it had been. That being said, I am still very fortunate to have this job and, for now, a backup career in case I am mistaken and "the Law" really isn't for me (a back-up for how long, though)
Most in the consulting industry come in as experts in other fields or they come from college. Many of those from college are either seduced by the money into staying, really enjoy it, or are just doing it till they figure out what they "really want to do". I don't imagine the law is any different - just a separate set of skills.
I am grateful, again, for the skills I have learned and the experiences I have gained... Then again, if I had attended some sort of imaginary "consulting school" and was 100k in debt, with no other career options - I would be unhappy. Much as any lawyer not cut out for the law must feel.
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