I don't want to be a lawyer? Switching careers? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I am having serious doubts. I graduated in May and am serving a trial level clerkship. Law seems boring to me. I am barely interested in any of the jobs that I apply to for post-clerkship. I believe I am depressed. I just don't know if law school was the right choice, as I was much happier in school than I am now that I have graduated. Though, I am in a new place with no friends or family since graduating, so that may contribute to my depression. Has anyone else experienced this? What were your solutions? Is it financial ($100k in debt) suicide to try to switch to a new career?

[TigerDude]

Being depressed means you wouldn't enjoy anything. Get help for yourself.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Also, what do you actually do and what do you not like about it, and what did you like about law school? Because to be honest, depending on where you're doing the clerkship, I think state trial-level clerkships are often much more administrative than legal and can be very boring. Even if it's federal, you may be a lot more isolated than in law school, depending on the chambers.

[Anonymous User]

Also, what do you actually do and what do you not like about it, and what did you like about law school? Because to be honest, depending on where you're doing the clerkship, I think state trial-level clerkships are often much more administrative than legal and can be very boring. Even if it's federal, you may be a lot more isolated than in law school, depending on the chambers.

I basically research and write all day. I just found the topics at law school a lot more interesting. I also don't really have any interest in practicing in court, and think I would probably enjoy academia a lot more. But, I didn't go to a good enough school to enter academia, and you usually need to get practice experience too, right?

I had these thoughts in law school too, even when I was happier. I really enjoy researching and writing about topics that actually interest me, and the more time that passes the less interest I actually have in practicing law in any actual way.

I often think that I should have gone into higher education, and would have enjoyed that a lot more. But I think that door is probably closed now.

[dead head]

Being depressed means you wouldn't enjoy anything. Get help for yourself.

Not true. A lot of depression is situational, and entirely dependent on circumstances. There's a reason why law has the highest rates of depression and almost half of all law students will be depressed at some point during law school, and it's not because depressives self-select into law.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Being depressed means you wouldn't enjoy anything. Get help for yourself.

Not true. A lot of depression is situational, and entirely dependent on circumstances. There's a reason why law has the highest rates of depression and almost half of all law students will be depressed at some point during law school, and it's not because depressives self-select into law.

I think the point is that even if the depression is situational (and I agree that this is common), becoming depressed because of your situation still means you wouldn't enjoy anything that you normally would. Just because your depression is situational doesn't mean it doesn't affect how you respond to everything else in your life.

[AntipodeanPhil]

I basically research and write all day. I just found the topics at law school a lot more interesting. I also don't really have any interest in practicing in court, and think I would probably enjoy academia a lot more. But, I didn't go to a good enough school to enter academia, and you usually need to get practice experience too, right?

I had these thoughts in law school too, even when I was happier. I really enjoy researching and writing about topics that actually interest me, and the more time that passes the less interest I actually have in practicing law in any actual way.

I often think that I should have gone into higher education, and would have enjoyed that a lot more. But I think that door is probably closed now.

This is the worst possible reason for going into higher education.

At any decent school, you're going to spend most of your time researching and writing. You might think you would find academic topics more interesting, especially if you get to pick them, but - trust me - after multiple years spent thinking about the same topic, you won't find it interesting, whatever it is.

The people who do well in academia are people who are genuinely passionate about a particular topic, and who love research and writing.

At a worse school, you'll have a higher teaching load with lower research expectations. That may sound better, but keep in mind that students at bad schools generally don't want to be there, and will make the experience miserable for you. Also, grading is an awful experience. It is incredibly repetitive - especially because you will be teaching the same subjects, year after year.

The grass is always greener on the other side.

[AntipodeanPhil]

On a slightly more positive note: I often get depressed in new settings, positions, etc. For me, it usually goes away as I settle in and start to make friends. IMHO, you would be best to give the practice of the law one more try. Maybe find a way to be around people more.

[CanadianWolf]

As to whether or not leaving law would be financial suicide depends upon your non-law options. Why not apply to non-law positions to better assess your prospects ?