Debating Going to Law School
Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 9:27 pm
Posted this on one of the other boards but wanted to post here as well hoping for some more feedback...
Here's my situation. I work as an engineer for a construction company and have been doing so for about 4.5 years now ever since I graduated undergrad. I have thought about going to law school and trying to practice construction law but am really having a hard time weighing the pros & cons and am looking for any advice that could help in making my decision. Here's some more background info.
I am 27 now (single, no kids) and am applying for schools to start in Fall 2013. I am currently signed up for June and October '12 LSATS. Testing around 150 on practice tests with a few months of casual studying (I also work +/- 50 hours a week so there just aren't enough hours in the day to devote to studying, even when I do get off work I can only focus and be productive for so long before I start to get off track). Anyway, my ultimate goal is to work in either DC or NYC. Having spent time in both I can see myself living in either one. I am stuck in Georgia right now, and due to the uncertainty with my job, am forced to relocate every 2-3 years (some places are much better than others obviously). I would like to attend school either around DC or a state school in Georgia (state school purely for financial reasons). I have saved enough that I could pay for 1, maybe 2 years on my own, but that would completely deplete my savings. I have never worked in a law office but have always been a strong writer, and enjoy dealing with contracts (a large part of my everyday job). Obviously, I am hesitant to make such a big comittment without knowing exactly what I am getting myself into. I have talked to some people in the field, and I pretty much hear the pros and cons, but ultimately "it's your decision".
Pros -
1. Would work in a field that would challenge me to think more (in other words, I enjoy being around educated people, which right now I am not).
2. Would give me a broad range of experience to fall back on (I feel like even if I am not able to get a job in law upon graduation I will be able to use my previous work experience to find something.
3. Would give me a much better chance of ending up in either DC or NYC, which is where I ultimately want to spend my working years.
Cons -
1. Not 100% sure I will enjoy practicing law.
2. Financial concern. I have no debt right now and have to consider where I will be in 3 years if I have to take out student loans in lieu of continuing to save for 3 more years.
3. Poor/uncertain job market. This is my main concern, especially with the number of grads who will be entering the workforce in the next 3 years.
So...with all that info, what are the realities I am facing?
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Here's my situation. I work as an engineer for a construction company and have been doing so for about 4.5 years now ever since I graduated undergrad. I have thought about going to law school and trying to practice construction law but am really having a hard time weighing the pros & cons and am looking for any advice that could help in making my decision. Here's some more background info.
I am 27 now (single, no kids) and am applying for schools to start in Fall 2013. I am currently signed up for June and October '12 LSATS. Testing around 150 on practice tests with a few months of casual studying (I also work +/- 50 hours a week so there just aren't enough hours in the day to devote to studying, even when I do get off work I can only focus and be productive for so long before I start to get off track). Anyway, my ultimate goal is to work in either DC or NYC. Having spent time in both I can see myself living in either one. I am stuck in Georgia right now, and due to the uncertainty with my job, am forced to relocate every 2-3 years (some places are much better than others obviously). I would like to attend school either around DC or a state school in Georgia (state school purely for financial reasons). I have saved enough that I could pay for 1, maybe 2 years on my own, but that would completely deplete my savings. I have never worked in a law office but have always been a strong writer, and enjoy dealing with contracts (a large part of my everyday job). Obviously, I am hesitant to make such a big comittment without knowing exactly what I am getting myself into. I have talked to some people in the field, and I pretty much hear the pros and cons, but ultimately "it's your decision".
Pros -
1. Would work in a field that would challenge me to think more (in other words, I enjoy being around educated people, which right now I am not).
2. Would give me a broad range of experience to fall back on (I feel like even if I am not able to get a job in law upon graduation I will be able to use my previous work experience to find something.
3. Would give me a much better chance of ending up in either DC or NYC, which is where I ultimately want to spend my working years.
Cons -
1. Not 100% sure I will enjoy practicing law.
2. Financial concern. I have no debt right now and have to consider where I will be in 3 years if I have to take out student loans in lieu of continuing to save for 3 more years.
3. Poor/uncertain job market. This is my main concern, especially with the number of grads who will be entering the workforce in the next 3 years.
So...with all that info, what are the realities I am facing?
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.