Leave well-paying job for Law School? Forum

[LegendaryOne]

So I spent most of last year studying for the LSAT but never really hit the score I wanted. I decided to take a break from studying and find a job, primarily so that I could get over my burnout and have something to put on my resume. I ended up getting a job at a tech company and am now getting paid around $100K+ which is great, but now it puts me in a weird situation. Should I stick with my job or still try to get into law school?

I've been reading a lot about the job prospects for post-law grads, which has kind of kept me on edge in regards to pursuing that path. However, the idea of having a JD is still alluring. What do you guys think?

Thanks.

[Clearly]

Upward mobility in job? Is it fucking awful? My guy says stay, if in a few years you want that jd, schools will still be there.

[LegendaryOne]

Yes, there's upward mobility here to an extent. Once I reach the predestined job ceiling for new hires, it gets harder to move up. The company is like most silicon valley companies (open floorplan, stock, good benefits etc.) so the environment is very relaxing and welcoming. My main concern is not having an advanced degree which is why law is still in the back of my mind.

[landshoes]

I think this is a problem you can solve yourself if you think about it harder

(if that response annoys you, well, you'll love law school)

[carasrook]

Yes, there's upward mobility here to an extent. Once I reach the predestined job ceiling for new hires, it gets harder to move up. The company is like most silicon valley companies (open floorplan, stock, good benefits etc.) so the environment is very relaxing and welcoming. My main concern is not having an advanced degree which is why law is still in the back of my mind.

Unless you feel a calling to be a lawyer (and won't be satisfied otherwise), don't go to law school. Feeling like you want an advanced degree is not a good reason to go to law school in my opinion.

[Tls2016]

No, don't go to law school. You already have a 6 figure job with benefits and I assume decent hours. You should not go to law school.

[Indifference]

I think this is a problem you can solve yourself if you think about it harder

(if that response annoys you, well, you'll love law school)

175.

[Sprout]

Upward mobility in job? Is it fucking awful? My guy says stay, if in a few years you want that jd, schools will still be there.

Hard no if you're happy at your job for now. You're making good money and the legal market is crap. If it's really what you want and you get a nice scholly at a good school maybe go for it, but I don't see the upside compared to what you already have going for you at least for now. I'd wait on it.

ETA: I give this advice as someone who learned the hard way I shouldn't have gone to LS so soon. Also, I dk where you live or what range of schools you're aiming for, but to reiterate the very obvious, COA and rank is worth considering in light of the $$$ factor.

[Johann]

you would regret the decision to leave tech for law forever. youre compensation already exceeds most of the law field, and once you factor in debt, it would be ugly the discrepancy in pay. plus, law day-to-day really sucks.

[RZ5646]

My main concern is not having an advanced degree.

Maybe you should get an advanced degree in your field. That would let you enjoy that tech company salary/lifestyle, satisy your academic goals, and increase your upward mobility all at once.

[Loquitur Res]

Just go to night school, get an MBA, keep moving up in your company/ take over a management role in another company/ start your own company. I would not have gone to law school if I was making 6 figures or even close and I love law school.

[appind]

Yes, there's upward mobility here to an extent. Once I reach the predestined job ceiling for new hires, it gets harder to move up. The company is like most silicon valley companies (open floorplan, stock, good benefits etc.) so the environment is very relaxing and welcoming. My main concern is not having an advanced degree which is why law is still in the back of my mind.

is the job a tech job or peripheral job in a tech company? there are lot of tech people in sv companies without advanced degrees. imo there is little in the way of an upwardly mobile career in a purely tech role.

[Nagster5]

Most lawyers would kill for a six figure job with good work-life balance. This includes T14 grads. Read the vale of tears and "so you want to be a NYC corporate lawyer" threads before even thinking about leaving. You are already in a better situation than the vast majority of top law school grads, do not leave unless the thought of not practicing law (and figure out what that really means first) makes you want to suck start a 9mm.

[jbagelboy]

"Finding a JD alluring" is classic grass is greener syndrome. Don't fall into that trap. Most JDs find the idea of a PhD or finance job "alluring" once they realize law isn't always as cool as they thought.

[LegendaryOne]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for replying to my post. My original plan was to go to law school for 3 years, graduate, and possibly get a legal position at a tech company. That's what got me to apply to tech jobs in the first place. Maybe it's fate? Anyway, I'm going to stick with it for a couple of years and see what happens. The job isn't peripheral either; it's full-time.

[Hikikomorist]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for replying to my post. My original plan was to go to law school for 3 years, graduate, and possibly get a legal position at a tech company. That's what got me to apply to tech jobs in the first place. Maybe it's fate? Anyway, I'm going to stick with it for a couple of years and see what happens. The job isn't peripheral either; it's full-time.

Good (albeit obvious) decision.