Know Whether You Really Want To Switch: After All You Always Wanted To Be A Lawyer

While intensely concentrating on getting through the law program, many law students effectively put blinders on themselves. They focus day-to-day, rather than on the future. This myopic, near-trance is what most call the legal mindset. Since they have joined law school of their own choice, knowing full well its notoriety for being tough, unforgiving and demanding, one can comprehend that this grind-it-out attitude helps them get through the drudgery and overbearing workload of law school.




The problem is when some look up, they may discover they don't really want to be where they are. When this happens there are a few different ways law students can react to their observations. They can: simply ignore it and hope and pray that this feeling goes away or they could choose to panic or understand it and deal with it in the appropriate manner.

Unfortunately, most students choose the first alternative and ignore their insight. They just put their heads back into the case book and press ahead. They hope the revelation fades away. Yes, the annoying feeling does go away; but it will return. It always does. What is worse, the later it comes back, the harder dealing with it will be. This is because, although they are speeding ahead, they are going down the wrong road.

Some react in sheer terror. 'I am in law school! I must want to be a lawyer! Why else would I be in law school!" The circular logic drives them crazy. They feel like they have let themselves down, their parents down, their friends down, their country down. They continue on, but they have lost both their zeal for practicing law and confidence in themselves to set their own course for the future.

Some students throw up their hands and quit law school. They want more time to contemplate their future. They claim going to law school was a big mistake. OK, but now what? They really are not accomplishing anything. They are actually worse off. Before, life was confusing, but they were learning new skills. Now, it is still confusing, but they have stopped learning.

In the event you are questioning why you are in law school, how are you dealing with this feeling? Leaving law school is an option. It is the right option if you want to be a concert pianist, or a jockey, or some profession that requires very specialized training. Find out what you need to do to get into the field of your dreams and then do it. For most students, however, this isn't the case. The situation is more likely that you do not quite know what you want for a career, but you are quite sure that it is not practicing law. You want an interesting, exciting, and, of course, a high paying career. You are just not sure what that might be. Is this where you are now?

Those who are convinced and determined not to pursue a legal career I suggest you look to the transforming business sector. The United States Department of Labor estimates that our economy will add millions of jobs over the next few years. Most of this job growth will occur in certain expanding business sectors. These expanding sectors will need certain types of people. They will need people who are good communicators. They will need people who are problem solvers. They will need people who are leaders as well as team players.

Your law school training provides you with skills that are absolutely necessary for success in the business arena. Your law school education and training gives you a tremendous advantage.

Now do not confuse a bad day with a deep-down-won't-go-away gut feeling. Even the most dedicated practicing attorneys that love their work and enjoyed the law school experience wanted to chuck the whole thing once in awhile. Make sure you are discerning the difference. Do not let someone other than yourself tell you that you are in the wrong place. Never give up your dream of practicing law just because some law school professor tells you that he or she doesn't think you have what it takes to be a good lawyer. I have seen too many students who could have contributed to the legal profession throw in the towel because of some self-important professor's worthless comment. If being a lawyer is what you want to do, then do everything you can to be one. Please, do not confuse this unfortunate situation with a feeling that comes from within you. You must experience a lingering, in-your-heart feeling that practicing law is not for you.

Law school uniquely prepares you for the commercial arena. Focus your legal education prospectively on business, rather than in retrospect. The time for building a life raft is when you are still on the shore with all of your tools, not when you are treading water. Start working on the strategy from this day forward. You will see how to personalize the strategy to make it work for your particular situation.

Realistically, for many students, realizing that they are in the wrong place and they need to do something about it does not hit them like a bolt of lightning. They fight it off. Whenever the feeling returns, they give in a little more. It is a gradual process for them. I suppose it is better to realize it later than never. However, doing so does waste valuable career planning time. The strategy, let me repeat, works no matter where you are on the legal training continuum.

Clearly, it works best if you employ it early on. Why? Because by knowing what you want early, that is, a high-value business career, you can customize your law school training and course work toward accomplishing that goal. Remember, this will not be some wave of a magic wand. It is a competitive world, especially for those just graduating from school with little or no work experience. However, this is all the more reason to give yourself the best start possible. Let's see how this works.

Getting Into Gear:

Why are you in law school? This is a critical question. Be willing to accept the answer. If practicing law truly is not for you and a career in business sounds appealing, then the guidelines in this article will help you pursue a business sector career. By the end of your first year, you will know contract law, tort law, and property law. Many students say, "I've spent all this time learning law. What does all of this first year stuff have to do with business? Have I wasted a year?" These are reasonable questions that need answering. The answer is that this body of knowledge hurled at you during your first year has everything to do with business. These courses are invaluable in your business career. Here is why.

Start with contract law. Business is nothing more than a series of transactions to purchase and sell goods and services. Contracts to purchase and sell those goods and services play an integral role in the business sector. These goods and services may be your own personal services or goods or those of the company for which you work. Contract law is so important that many companies send their high-value employees to several seminars on this subject during their careers. Familiarity with contracts and contract law puts you well ahead of those competing against you for that high-value job.

Tort law is relevant to your future high-profile career because personal injury liability on business premises, liability associated with defective products, and liability of employers for employee actions are problems commonly encountered while transacting business. This body of law is especially useful for high-value workers transacting purchases and sales or for those running a business unit or product line.

Real property law applies to any business entity possessing facilities, such as office buildings, factories, and so forth. It is important whenever you are constructing, buying, or selling these real property assets that you understand their associated rights and liabilities. This is especially the case in businesses involving real estate and property management.

Do not forget about legal research and writing. As much of a pain as that course was, no industry course even comes close to teaching writing and research skills like that course did. Law school, beginning with the intramural mock trial competitions, turns introverts into confident and open communicators. The ability to communicate well is a quality you absolutely must possess to obtain and keep a high-value career. All of these high-value careers involve a high skill level with regard to communications. Even the more analysis-oriented careers, such as project finance, require numerous presentations to investment bankers, partners, and executive management. If speaking in front of groups terrifies you, a high-value career is not for you. Likewise, neither is practicing law.

Personalize The Strategy:

If you have decided in your heart and in your mind that practicing law is not for you, entering into an unappealing business career leaves you no better off. You have just traded one unhappy situation for another. You will only be truly successful when you are enjoying your career. Do not select a certain business career just because you think it pays a lot of money. That is doing it backwards. Determine the type of environment in which you feel comfortable and then find what openings are available and then listen to your heart and go for it.