5 reasons you shouldn't go to law school
Last week, Victoria Watkins gave you 5 reasons to go to law school but she figures she still may not have some of you convinced, and she already knows why. So here are her 5 reasons you shouldn’t go to law school…just to be fair about the discussion.
1. Someone else wants you to go.
Law school is no easy or simple task. The work is tough. It’s time consuming, and the bar is nothing to be taken lightly. If you are not truly passionate about law school, DO NOT go! You will have rough days, and if you don’t see them being worth it in the end, stay away! This must be something you genuinely want.
2. You’ll have a job waiting for you when you graduate.
As appealing as this sounds, it’s not worth it either. The challenge of law school…wait, wait, wait, more importantly, the cost of law school is not worth a promise of employment you may or may not be passionate about. It could be a job you’re indifferent about, but unless you are eager to get started, don’t make law school the stepping stone to the promise. It is no task to be taken lightly…and what if the job isn’t there in the end?
3. The money.
Ha! What money?! I am definitely not saying you can’t make money being a lawyer, because you absolutely can. However, there are major tradeoffs for this money: time climbing to the top of your practice, time away from spending your money because you’re working, loans you will have to repay, and the stress you will encounter. Be careful making this a priority over love for the profession.
4. You believe in the hype (and ignore the work).
As I said earlier, being a lawyer is a noble profession. However, the nobility is founded on the attorneys who are proud to do what they do and would do it regardless of the glam or money. If this isn’t you, stay away.
5. You’re buying time while figuring out what you really want to do.
Although a law degree can be used across the board in so many fields, you don’t want to use the 3 years to figure out your real path. As I’ve said over and over, this investment is rewarding, but it is so because people really want the end result. Don’t use it as a filler unless it’s genuinely part of your ultimate plan.
Hopefully this alternative perspective was helpful to you. If you have additional points on why someone should bypass going to law school, let us know in the comments!
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About the Author:
Victoria Watkins is a legislative attorney for the City of Chicago. She also writes B.A.F.F.L.E.D., a lifestyle blog, highlighting fashion, law, entertainment, beauty, and so much more.