Stay at my job or graduate law school early? Forum

[DC80]

I'm currently a 2E (part-time) at GW. I'm thinking about switching to the full-time program. I work for the DoD with a cushy $100K+ job, great commute, and awesome building. However, my job is soul sucking. It is down right terrible. I have not "enjoyed" either of my two DoD jobs and I'm just over the federal government. I've had no problem working full-time and going to school part-time, though I feel like I am missing out on a lot of activities and experiences at school.

I've loved law school so far. It's the shining spot in my 15+ work/school day. I'm tired and stressed. Something has got to give and I really cannot stand this job.

Option 1 Full-time School - Quit job and graduate next spring. I'd have to take at least 7 credits this summer (no problem - just stressful) and 15 credits in the fall/spring. I would have enough credits to graduate thanks to my previous high course loads.

However, I'd have to take out loans to finance all of my living expenses. My spouse is currently in grad school (full-time). I'd stop contributing to my retirement accounts and forego saving for a house. I really don't want to be poor.

Option 2 Part-time - Quit job and try to find something in the legal realm - even a paralegal.. I could graduate a semester early, so Fall 2017 vs Spring 2018. I'd still have to take out some loans to cover the delta between my job now and the future salary, but could probably make it work.

Option 3 Part-time - Keep terrible job and pray it gets better. Pros: save tons of cash to buy a house, have money for vacations and bar tabs, and still contribute to retirement accounts. Cons: everything about the job besides the paycheck.

Thoughts? Has anyone been in a similar situation?

[Londonbear]

Do you know what you're doing after law school? If your post-employment job pays well, then maybe taking up a little bit of debt to hasten the time line might not be a bad idea. But if your post-employment prospects is uncertain, I would not quit your cushy job. What do you think you're missing out from not being full-time?

Option 2 seems really uncertain. If you do get a PT, it might be no where near how much your current job is paying and you might really hate it as well.

[Mr. Archer]

It sounds like a tough situation. Do you have anything lined up for after you graduate/what type of job do you want for after law school? The job you plan for after graduation is really key here since you're thinking about taking on debt. If it's Big Law, you could afford quitting now and taking out loans, but you'd eventually have to deal with Big Law hours. If it's public interest, you might be better off earning and saving now because you won't be able to later.

Also, a spouse in graduate school would definitely make me lean towards keeping the job. At least right now you have one guaranteed income.

[zot1]

Are your grades good enough for biglaw? If not, and if you're lucky to get a job post-grad, you might end up making way less than you are at your current job (plus whatever debt you incur from leaving your job to attend full time).

If you don't care about money, just do what your heart desires.

[barkschool]

Quit law school

[DC80]

I don't want Biglaw. I want to stay in the federal government, but as a lawyer (and hopefully at a different agency). I'd be open to a local government or the right nonprofit. My grades are decent, top 1/3 of the class hopefully I'll stay there or improve.

I've decided to stay at my terrible job unless something amazing comes along. That way I'll have enough in the bank to quit my job after graduation, study for the bar, hopefully find a lawyer job or at least do an internship. It'll be nice to have a year to find a lawyer job without worrying about money. Worse case I can always come back to this terrible job (though I'm in law school to get away from it).

[swampman]

It is really, really hard to get a job in the federal government as a lawyer. You have great experience and can probably do it, eventually. Quitting your current job without another offer would be very risky. If you really can't last any longer at your job, then do what you have to do. But if you're asking if it's a good idea, it's hard to see how it could be.

[TheSpanishMain]

It's usually easier to get a federal job when you're applying as an internal hire. So if you want to work for the Feds, stay in your federal job.