I need career help

[mcc]

I touched on this in the Thursday randoms post but need more opinions.  I went to law school.  I'm a lawyer. I'm licensed in three states.  I've worked in 2 states and a foreign country in 4 different areas of the law. My experience has breadth but not depth.  That has good and bad points.  I got into my field right now because it interested me and 6 months in I'm realizing that there's no money in it unless you run a mill (like the one I work in) and working in a mill has a super high turnover rate, especially at my level, and there's little room for upward mobility (cue panic attack).

I would do defense work to what I do, but that's hard to get into at my current level (see previous reference to currently employment and lack of upward mobility/raise).  I'm stagnated.  It sucks.  I am not one to be all "woe is me, I gave up a career for XH" because I made that choice and was comfortable doing it at the time. But now I'm stuck.

I'm unhappy.  I dislike the work, I dislike the firm, I dislike the structure of how the field is run.  I would like it more if there were more opportunities but it's slim and the market is oversaturated with talent.  

Today I had a meeting about a new opportunity and it was a group interview.  4 candidates and 1 interviewer.  It was awkward and strange and the company is another small company with new turnover within the past few months (red flag for me).  At this point I'd be happier doing yoga or something that I enjoy.  I keep thinking of leahmel and her career transformation but student loans are cost prohibitive and starting a second career that I need to go to school for is daunting and not guaranteed.

Any ideas on what to do? Places to look? Fields to explore? I applied at a brewery today because "yolo" and I love beer.  Any words of advice/encouragement/hair pats please?  

Also, PDQ, lurkers lurk.

[mcc]

Also @blueyes623 this was written to hopefully answer your question in the randoms post

[Deleted]

Mar 20, 2014 19:33:34 GMT -5 mcc said:

Also @blueyes623 this was written to hopefully answer your question in the randoms post

First off, hair pats.  I can understand the difficulty of being faced with the thought of changing careers.  What about trying out teaching in a law school?  Do they require any further education?  Or teaching a review class?  These things, if not your ultimate goal, may prove to be good time wise while you decide on or attend school for something else.
what interests you?  

[mcc]

Mar 20, 2014 19:36:30 GMT -5 drruth said:

Have you expanded the search to all the states you've worked in? Have you considered a position in grants and contracts at local universities? They hire lawyers and it seems like a nice set up.

I just relocated and will not move again. I live in Boston so my search is limited to the greater Boston area.  I do know two women who graduated law school with me who work at a local University. My mom mentioned contacting them today so I will take this advice.  Thank you.

Over the summer I had applied for a position with another University through a former coworker in law school (law library) but that yielded no results.  Unfortunately I know that academia often hires slowly and my time at my current place is likely running out because I know he's not promoting me and he knows I want more so its just a matter of time. You're right though, I should contact those women. Thanks!

[mcc]

Mar 20, 2014 19:38:24 GMT -5 drruth said:

I should have prefaced that by saying I'm not a lawyer and not familiar with law positions.

Good luck- I know the market is full of candidates looking for a job and you will find something that fits for you!

That's ok, at this point I'm open to anything.  Heck, if I was good enough I'd teach yoga and just be happy!

[Deleted]

Do you have post on MM?

There are a lot of lawyers over there, several of whom don't practice anymore, but use their law degree.

I'm sure they'd be of some help/advice.

[mcc]

Mar 20, 2014 19:39:35 GMT -5 @blueyes623 said:

Mar 20, 2014 19:33:34 GMT -5 mcc said:

Also @blueyes623 this was written to hopefully answer your question in the randoms post

First off, hair pats.  I can understand the difficulty of being faced with the thought of changing careers.  What about trying out teaching in a law school?  Do they require any further education?  Or teaching a review class?  These things, if not your ultimate goal, may prove to be good time wise while you decide on or attend school for something else.
what interests you?  

The law school would be more likely than a review class and that's a good point.  Review classes use people who are well known in their fields of teaching.  I should reach out to my old advisor in law school and she might have some ideas! 

[mcc]

Mar 20, 2014 19:41:53 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Do you have post on MM?

There are a lot of lawyers over there, several of whom don't practice anymore, but use their law degree.

I'm sure they'd be of some help/advice.

Good call! I posted there too!  I'm friends with cosmos and know she defected so hopefully there will be others!

[Deleted]

Mar 20, 2014 19:51:01 GMT -5 mcc said:

Mar 20, 2014 19:41:53 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Do you have post on MM?

There are a lot of lawyers over there, several of whom don't practice anymore, but use their law degree.

I'm sure they'd be of some help/advice.

Good call! I posted there too!  I'm friends with cosmos and know she defected so hopefully there will be others!

Great!

Septimus and Brie are the other 2 that come to mind. I'll see if I can think of others...

[mcc]

Mar 20, 2014 19:53:12 GMT -5 mp said:

What about porn?

cellulite and HD don't mix

[Deleted]

What about something that would need a lawyers perspective but not law. Something like recruiting for a firm, in house communications for a firm or working for technologies that law firms use software and such.

[pinkplasticdoll]

I just want to sit next to you and drink beer while doing yoga.

[mcc]

@pdx18 I recruited and hated it and it made me feel so unaccomplished seeing what people with my degrees were pulling in salary wise.

pinkplasticdoll--done! A yoga and beer studio! haha

[Deleted]

mcc that makes sense. You need to start the first yoga studio/bar come in relax and have a drink after in comfy yoga clothes. It's a win/win!

[Deleted]

Mar 20, 2014 20:17:45 GMT -5 pinkplasticdoll said:

I just want to sit next to you and drink beer while doing yoga.

Third Indian.

[leahmel]

Just saw your tag!

Honestly- I doubt I would have done such a drastic change if I wasn't fired. That said, I LOVE that I did it, because I really hated what I did before and really love what I do now. I think about eventually teaching yoga too. lol.

Maybe see if you can get a side job (like the brewery, yoga , or porn ) and still stay in the legal world at the same time and just see where it goes from there. It's nice to have an income from a job you don't like while exploring the things you do like. Plus, it gives you time to figure out what you really want to do.

[gault]

One of my HR coworkers was a license lawyer in PA. He was working on getting license in CA, and in the meantime did legal HR work an did performance reviews. Later, when the company downsized, he worked in contracts.

I doubt this helps but wanted you to know what someone else did to use his degree and experience

[achase123]

I think you have a calling to be a lawyer for sure, but I could also see you doing something in marketing. Example: what about pitching the idea of being the marketing rep for a local brewery? I know that something like this has crossed my mind before in relation to my aunt and uncle's brewery I think it would be fun (and YOU are fun so that would work well with your personality) plus it would be a kick ass job! I think you could really excel at something like that if the lawyer gig isn't working out right this second.

[woodiedog]

Have you looked at high tech companies that need lawyers? I found a "general counsel" job at EMC in Bedford. I know that the work is dry, but the money is good. There are lots of high tech companies in the Boston area and they all have teams of lawyers.

[idahome]

This is a tough one and I really feel for you, mcc. I have a law degree and sometimes my student loan balance puts me into a panic. I'll go ahead and put another plug in for HR though since your legal background is an excellent resource; my law degree helps me nearly daily in my HR position.

It seems obvious, but have you contacted your law school's career services office to see what non-practicing legal work you are qualified for and would be interested in pursuing? I would contact the women you mentioned and set up networking meetings to find out what realistic opportunities are available. I would also strongly encourage you to search outside the legal field for something to get you through things until you find your next career stop. If you could find another "job" then you could work on volunteering and gaining new experience that would position you to be successful going forward.

Good luck!

[Deleted]

Would you be interested in restaurant/brewery management? Your head for paperwork/admin + your social skills would probably make you excel at something like that.

[bowies]

I'm going to throw out a couple of things and don't dismiss them out-of-hand.

1. Politics
2. Government (state/federal)

You live in Boston, which is a political hotspot AND its state's capital. Use it. There are campaigns that are constantly hunting for lawyers. The downside: hours...money...stability. Upside: excitement and future positioning. Go to campaign events, start volunteering, schmooze it out. Hell, schmooze it out there for a private sector job. Lawyers flock to politics like a moth to a flame. I worked for an ex-lawyer-turned-senator/law professor for a couple of semesters in college.

Similarly, state/federal governments need lawyers and have a hard time finding them because you're not gonna get rich that way. Hiring freezes are easing off, at least in the federal sector where I work (NOTE: I am not a lawyer). It's not a thrill-a-minute but there is job stability. My father did government law work for a significant chunk of his career.

[prettyinpearls]

What about something in the corporate world that requires a legal background, but necessarily a law degree? My job wanted legal experience (I have my AA in paralegal) since it works with contracts and a lot of confidential information & data. I work closely with our in-house counsel as well.

It could be your foot in the door to something in the business world? Where you choose to go with it from there is up to you!

ETA: A lot of corporations have tuition reimbursement programs as well -- you could go to school for something else on their dime! (I got my BA thanks to my employer )

[mcc]

Mar 21, 2014 6:47:18 GMT -5 spearmintleaf said:

Would you be interested in restaurant/brewery management? Your head for paperwork/admin + your social skills would probably make you excel at something like that.

Not really only because I don't have previous bev experience and I don't want to work nights. But thanks for the suggestion

[mcc]

Mar 21, 2014 8:30:17 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

As a fed I'm going to plug it also, you can work legal and non legal. Plus if your loans are fed loans (not private) you would sign up for the student loan forgiveness program - the balance is forgiven after 10 yrs.

There is talk of Obama wanted to nix this program but I doubt it will happen. I've been lazy and need to sign up even though I don't have nearly the balance of the lawyers on the boards.

Do you happen to know anything about contract law? B/C there is a big market for that in the feds and in the contracting for feds sector.

I don't know a ton about contract law but I did reach out to a fed friend and I'm applying in her division! Just need to compile my "I swear I'm a citizen" docs tonight

[mcc]

Mar 21, 2014 8:51:33 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

I'll also push for anything else that would qualify under the loan forgiveness program teaching is one, anything public service. Remember that even if you drop in salary you would likely qualify for lower monthly payments.

Already in IBR because I make pennies! Woohoo! Haha

[lookingup]

I'm sorry I have no advice, but I would like to offer hugs and hair pats. ((mcc))

[sharic]

Hugs and hair pats from me too! Have you worked with a recruiter yourself to get placed (I may have missed it, if you did).

[mcc]

Mar 22, 2014 11:01:33 GMT -5 sharic said:

Hugs and hair pats from me too! Have you worked with a recruiter yourself to get placed (I may have missed it, if you did).

I was a recruiter. I'm not really recruitable plus it's mostly very niche needs or large forms that recruit, neither of which I would be a good fit for

[winecat]

I don't have any new ideas but I hope something good comes along soon.