Finally decided on my new career path.

[Stuxnet]

As you may or may not know, I'm sick and tired of IT/IS. I've been in the field for about 8 years, and have been doing software development for almost 7 years. I'm tired of working for stupid people who are hellbent on making their lives - and the lives of everyone around them - as difficult as possible.

The bitch of it is that law school is 4 hours per night, 4 nights per week for 3 years (though it could take me as long as 5 years, depending on course load). I'm leaning toward Family Law for a number of reasons. One, it's rather lucrative. Two, I've always found it interesting. My father in law has a practice in Family Law, and he specializes in writing/breaking prenups as well as divorce in general. He's one of the premiere divorce attorneys in town and he only hires associates from the top law schools, so I sincerely doubt he'd hire me down the road (the school I'll be attending has a very respectable law program, but it's not what he's after). BUT, he's naturally a great connection to have and I'm sure he could help me find a job when it's all said and done. He'll also be a good resource to lean on throughout the process.

So any advice? Anyone here tried something similar? I'm 29 years old and I shutter to think of changing careers at 35 (though could be as early 33, but doubtful), but then again, I'm not getting any younger and I'm MISERABLE in my current field.

 

[aidanjm]

supposedly we'll all be working til 70 due to advances in health technology, & most people will have several different careers in their lifetime. who knows what else the future holds..

 

[SearchMaster]

There certainly are stupid people in every profession, but if you're sick of your job, then you're making the right decision for yourself...congratulations! My brother-in-law just left a lucrative position because he absolutely hated it, now he's starting a business that looks promising and it's something he enjoys. He's a tad bit older than you at 31.

 

[dug777]

I really enjoyed the Family Law unit i did this year (just finished my Law/Economics combined degree at UWA), but i wouldn't like to practice in that area i have to admit

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: dug777
I really enjoyed the Family Law unit i did this year (just finished my Law/Economics combined degree at UWA), but i wouldn't like to practice in that area i have to admit

For conversation's sake, I'm interested in hearing why you wouldn't want to practice Family Law, especially given that you liked that area of study?

Thanks!

 

[moshquerade]

how about becoming an orthodontist?

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
how about becoming an orthodontist?

LOL well that was rather random...

Family Law has interested me for quite some time (this is one of two career paths that I've been contemplating for about 5 years). It's something I can accomplish while maintaining my day job and it's something that will allow me to maintain my standard of living from day one in my new career, with a high probability of a significant increase in standard of living over the following 5 - 10 years. The down sides are the monetary investment required for school as well as the fact that I won't see much of my family, but I'll be a much more lovable person when I'm done (with software development).

 

[Scarpozzi]

I have nothing to add really about which area of law to go into. But my cousin's wife got a teaching degree. She taught for 2 years and went back to school to get her law degree. The downside to law school is hefty school debt.....the upside is when you get out, you'll be making some good coin.....but spending 60-80+ hours/week until you're extremely established. In other words, you'll be some fat-cat lawyer's bitch unless you run your own show. But, it's best to work for someone before going on your own....especially to pay your school debt.

As for the career change. You're not alone. It's common these days for someone to have multiple career changes through their lives.....up to 7. Don't fear the change....look at it as something adventurous. Just be sure to think over your financial decisions as you go along and plan well. Don't quit your current job until you know you have some support system in place to cover your @ss. (student loan, grant, another job, etc)

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: jbourne77

Originally posted by: moshquerade
how about becoming an orthodontist?

LOL well that was rather random...

Family Law has interested me for quite some time (this is one of two career paths that I've been contemplating for about 5 years). It's something I can accomplish while maintaining my day job and it's something that will allow me to maintain my standard of living from day one in my new career, with a high probability of a significant increase in standard of living over the following 5 - 10 years. The down sides are the monetary investment required for school as well as the fact that I won't see much of my family, but I'll be a much more lovable person when I'm done (with software development).

orthodontists have it made though!

 

[RKS]

PM sent

 

[athithi]

Originally posted by: jbourne77
As you may or may not know, I'm sick and tired of IT/IS. I've been in the field for about 8 years, and have been doing software development for almost 7 years. I'm tired of working for stupid people who are hellbent on making their lives - and the lives of everyone around them - as difficult as possible.

The bitch of it is that law school is 4 hours per night, 4 nights per week for 3 years (though it could take me as long as 5 years, depending on course load). I'm leaning toward Family Law for a number of reasons. One, it's rather lucrative. Two, I've always found it interesting. My father in law has a practice in Family Law, and he specializes in writing/breaking prenups as well as divorce in general. He's one of the premiere divorce attorneys in town and he only hires associates from the top law schools, so I sincerely doubt he'd hire me down the road (the school I'll be attending has a very respectable law program, but it's not what he's after). BUT, he's naturally a great connection to have and I'm sure he could help me find a job when it's all said and done. He'll also be a good resource to lean on throughout the process.

So any advice? Anyone here tried something similar? I'm 29 years old and I shutter to think of changing careers at 35 (though could be as early 33, but doubtful), but then again, I'm not getting any younger and I'm MISERABLE in my current field.

I am contemplating something similar myself. I am hoping to attend a Top 15 b-school and even managed a 700 on my GMAT last week (though apparently that is hardly enough so I may take it again). I'd like to attend full-time, but it's not easy giving up a 10-year career and a 6-figure salary. Interestingly, 3 years back I wanted to go to law school, but was dissuaded by just about everyone around me. I would've probably tried to go for patent/IP law. I heard that was a better fit for engineers and IT professionals.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: jbourne77

Originally posted by: dug777
I really enjoyed the Family Law unit i did this year (just finished my Law/Economics combined degree at UWA), but i wouldn't like to practice in that area i have to admit

For conversation's sake, I'm interested in hearing why you wouldn't want to practice Family Law, especially given that you liked that area of study?

Thanks!

I really enjoyed applying the theory to the many hypothetical situations we were given, and Family Law cases are second only to Crim cases in terms of how bizarre/interesting/out there they are, but the grim reality of applying it to real life pissed off/hysterical parents/spouses/children doesn't appeal to me...

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: dug777
...but the grim reality of applying it to real life pissed off/hysterical parents/spouses/children doesn't appeal to me...

Heh, that's actually why I'm attracted to it: I've spent 7 - 8 years in a field with the same day to day garbage. The monotony is enough to sap you of your soul. I want some excitement... some confrontation to shake things up. And since Criminal Defense/Prosecution is much more likely to get me shot, Family Law was the next best choice.

 

[CptObvious]

I'm considering leaving law...I'm 26, been working for about a year. Thinking about going to Asia for a year and then possibly who knows. Maybe I'll go back to school to study pharmacy.

I'm tired of working for stupid people who are hellbent on making their lives - and the lives of everyone around them - as difficult as possible.

I don't think this will ever change regardless of what field you enter

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: CptObvious
I'm considering leaving law...I'm 26, been working for about a year. Thinking about going to Asia for a year and then possibly who knows. Maybe I'll go back to school to study pharmacy.

I had a friend in law school who was a PharmD. He worked for a large firm for a year and went back to being a pharmacist. I believe he is getting back into law but hanging his own shingle. Unless you are at the top of the dogsh1t, a big firm if a horrible place to practice.

 

[NanoStuff]

Originally posted by: aidanjm
supposedly we'll all be working til 70 due to advances in health technology, & most people will have several different careers in their lifetime. who knows what else the future holds..

We'll all be working until there is no work left because everything has been done

I wouldn't consider age a factor at all when it comes to a career change.

 

[Chunkee]

dont go into family law...you will regret it

stay with business for something else

jC

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: Chunkee
dont go into family law...you will regret it

stay with business for something else

jC

Could you give me some details as to why you feel this way?

Thanks

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

In some respects I don't love doing civil litigation, but honestly the idea of a career in family law sounds like a nightmare. It's funny, I know many judges (my mother was a district-court judge for 22 years), and to a man they pretty much all hate their mandatory trial blocks in divorce court.

Why the hell wouldn't your own father hire you? If he is a partner he has every right to make hiring decisions, regardless of where you went to law school. It seems crazy to me that if he is a top family law guy, you would work for another law firm in the same market.

I advise you what I advise everyone considering law school. Law school itself is awful IMO, and the profession has a lot of downside. Most young lawyers dislike practicing law in my experience. I strongly advise you to take a Strong Interest Inventory or something similar to determine whether your skills and interests make you a good fit as a lawyer. Otherwise you may be signing up for a miserable adult life.

 

[MotionMan]

See this thread:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1984215

MotionMan

 

[Vich]

good for you. Do it!

I have seen 45 year olds going to nursing school, and 40 year olds starting medical school. You can do anything.

 

[BarneyFife]

Their is this guy that is 50 in my engineering program. Not sure who is going to hire a 50+ entry level engineer.

 

[MotionMan]

BTW, I (a lawyer) know quite a few lawyers who would LOVE to get into IT/IS

The grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side.

MotionMan, Esq.

 

[pontifex]

Glad you figured out what you want to do. now if only i can figure it out for myself.

I feel that I'm really good (or at least have more interest) at creative stuff and not very good at mathematical/science type stuff. I suck at anything past basic math and even then I'm not that great.

the problem is that I can't draw worth a crap, I can't play an instrument or read/write music, and i have trouble writing stories. i'd really love to write fiction books about all the ideas i have in my head but i have a hard time doing it and getting paid to do it is extremely difficult. I don't know what else to look into though. i always did well in English and History classes in HS.

 

[BarneyFife]

Originally posted by: pontifex
Glad you figured out what you want to do. now if only i can figure it out for myself.

I feel that I'm really good (or at least have more interest) at creative stuff and not very good at mathematical/science type stuff. I suck at anything past basic math and even then I'm not that great.

the problem is that I can't draw worth a crap, I can't play an instrument or read/write music, and i have trouble writing stories. i'd really love to write fiction books about all the ideas i have in my head but i have a hard time doing it and getting paid to do it is extremely difficult. I don't know what else to look into though. i always did well in English and History classes in HS.

Philospher

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: BarneyFife

Originally posted by: pontifex
Glad you figured out what you want to do. now if only i can figure it out for myself.

I feel that I'm really good (or at least have more interest) at creative stuff and not very good at mathematical/science type stuff. I suck at anything past basic math and even then I'm not that great.

the problem is that I can't draw worth a crap, I can't play an instrument or read/write music, and i have trouble writing stories. i'd really love to write fiction books about all the ideas i have in my head but i have a hard time doing it and getting paid to do it is extremely difficult. I don't know what else to look into though. i always did well in English and History classes in HS.

Philospher

are there even any modern day philosophers? if so, i can't imagine it would pay very well, unless you have some kind of lucrative book deal or something.