I was skimming through my ABA Journal weekly email, when their survey question caught my eye: Law School Grads: Take This Six-Question Survey on Finding That First Job.
I actually read every single comment and it made me sad to think about all my fellow law grads who have been struggling to find paid employment since graduation. I think the graduating classes of 2008-2011 in particular have received the brunt of the pain. It also made me feel very lucky that my job hunt hasn't been as lengthy as many others.
But the fifth question made me stop and think, and I penned this response:
5) Would you recommend attending law school to a recent graduate?
It depends. Do you really want to be a lawyer? Is the legal job a good fit for you? Are you good at researching and writing, okay with sitting at a desk most of the time, comfortable speaking in front of other people, willing to put in long hours, etc.? Are you committed to the profession even if you won't be living a luxurious lifestyle?
Do you have a realistic view of legal employment coming in, and do you make practical decisions? I knew that I didn't want to work in BigLaw when I started law school in 2008, so against the standard "wisdom," I chose to go to a lower ranked school (still Tier 1) that had offered me $ instead of the higher ranked schools that would just take all of my $. I also knew that I would not be making an exorbitant salary immediately upon graduation - everyone who starts a professional degree should estimate how much loans they will be taking out and how long it will take to repay them at a realistic salary. Also, recognize the fact that you're living on borrowed money. Is that extra round at the bar worth it? That fancy new ipad? I've been able to pay back a chunk of my loans already because I lived rather frugally while a student.
However, in this economy, if you will be paying full price tuition and living fully on student loans, I recommend waiting. If you really want to be a lawyer, then you will probably still want to be a lawyer in 5 years. Get a job where you can and don't take out the hefty loans when jobs are uncertain. My four years of work experience between college and law school helped me land my unpaid jobs during law school (and also gave me experience to fall back on if I couldn't find a legal job). My unpaid jobs during law school helped me land a paid job post-law school. I also worked very hard in law school: top ~15%, law review, multiple externships, worked for 3 professors, and got very little sleep for three years. Only commit to the activities you can do well, but your success in law school will help you after you graduate. Think of your time in law school as your chance to build your "portfolio" for the post-grad job hunt and make wise choices. And learn to market yourself - cultivate good relationships with employers and professors, learn how to write targeted cover letters/applications, do a realistic assessment of your strengths and weaknesses and know how to highlight your strengths, practice interviewing. It's something career offices do not teach students well.
So while it's not a black and white answer, I think every person thinking about law school needs to face the harsh reality of the job market right now, and make a wise decision as to whether the costs are worth it. Each person has different circumstances. A full scholarship would change the equation. A current employer who will transition you to an attorney after graduation would change the equation. But any law school applicant should consider the fact that many law grads over the past few years have spent months - or even years - job hunting, and those grads come from the T-20 schools all the way to Tier 4 schools. The job placement of every single school has been hit by the economy. Face the reality, and then think long and hard about whether the degree is still worth it to you.
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