Grad/Professional School

AKA_Monet · #1 10-27-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EyesOnThePrize

I'm wondering if anyone has advice as far as going to a part time program for the J.D. and working at the same time. They always say that you shouldn't work and attend law school at the same time, but that usually applies to going full time. For some reason people never consider going part time as a viable option. My dilemna is this: I was already in the process of completing my law school applications for entrance in the Fall 2007 class. Then, I was offered a DREAM job! Not dreamy in the sense of wonderful pay and would make me totally rule out the law. But dreamy in the sense of I plan on practicing entertainment law and this is a position working for an entertainment attorney with a KICK ASS REPUTATION. I would be a fool to pass it up. I could learn so much from him. But at the same time, I'm feeling that age clock and want to get my law school studies going even if I go part time for two years and transfer into a full time program to complete the final two years. WHEW! LOL

Sorry it's so long. Any takers? What do you all think? Even if you haven't had personal experience with law school, maybe someoe you know...

ThX!

Flip the script for me and the interest of actual Medical School after a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics.

I am closing in on 40 years old... Why would I want to be around a bunch of bright kids?

But my field is changing rapidly and I think I can serve more people in a physician capacity with clinical trials.

And that kind of thing you are writing is EXACTLY what your include in your law school application. Because really, they need to justify to you that the education that you are getting will outweigh the "dream job" you'd like to receive. And have you asked your boss about "expanding your education"?

EyesOnThePrize · #2 10-27-2006, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Flip the script for me and the interest of actual Medical School after a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics.

I am closing in on 40 years old... Why would I want to be around a bunch of bright kids?

But my field is changing rapidly and I think I can serve more people in a physician capacity with clinical trials.

And that kind of thing you are writing is EXACTLY what your include in your law school application. Because really, they need to justify to you that the education that you are getting will outweigh the "dream job" you'd like to receive. And have you asked your boss about "expanding your education"?

OMG! It's so funny b/c they both (recruiters for law schools and attorne's) are discouraging of you doing one or the other. They either want to you dedicate all of your time to school or to the job (especially in the entertainment industry)! So I wanted to get a more realistic unbiased opinion.

Thanks

EyesOnThePrize · #3 10-27-2006, 08:13 PM

forgive my spelling errors!

AKA_Monet · #4 10-27-2006, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EyesOnThePrize

OMG! It's so funny b/c they both (recruiters for law schools and attorne's) are discouraging of you doing one or the other. They either want to you dedicate all of your time to school or to the job (especially in the entertainment industry)! So I wanted to get a more realistic unbiased opinion.

Thanks

Your dream job will pay your a certain amount, will you have the opportunity to expand your options?

Going to law school and becoming a lawyer, depending on the kind of law you want to pursue and the state bar you take will afford you a different kind of opportunity. Besides, if you don't pass the bar, what will you do then? And from what I understand you have to do a "residency period" where you won't be making all the $$$ in the world, that takes years to build up.

So, you do your dream job, will you be doing this for another 10 years and what happens when things dry up and you are 60 years old?

Then, if you have a law degree, it takes ~3 years, and you have to work for ~2 years to pass the bar. And then you do the "residency" for some time--say ~2 years. Then you work for 5-10 years to become a partner or a leading attorney... But your skills would never "dry up"...

Then ask yourself do you want to get married and have children? At what age do you want this? All of these thoughts must be processed before dedicating your life to goals...

That's the best I can do. I'm not a lawyer, you'd have to ask my soror, Summerchild.

Also there is LawyerGal and a few others who'd know.

EyesOnThePrize · #5 10-31-2006, 07:24 PM

Thanks so much AKA_Monet for your words and thoughts. It gave me a lot to ponder. I know for sure that I want to go to law school. I'm just suffering from a case of dual goals! And nothing is wrong with that b/c we have to explore every option. But I'm struggling with applying to part time programs for next fall and working this job at the same time. It definitely isn't going to set me off financially or anything and the salary cap for this postion at the senior level is below what some first year associates make depending on the firm. However, in Hollywood it's all about who you know as far as rising to the top. One day you could be an assistant, and a year later you could be an agent with your own roster (not my goal, just an example). I know for a fact that I plan to practice entertainment law. But with taking this position I was asked to make a 2 year commitment so though it's a great opportunity I don't want to put law school off for another two years. having said that, the best thing I know to do is PRAY PRAY PRAY and let Him direct my path!

Munchkin03 · #6 10-31-2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

And from what I understand you have to do a "residency period" where you won't be making all the $$$ in the world, that takes years to build up.

Then, if you have a law degree, it takes ~3 years, and you have to work for ~2 years to pass the bar. And then you do the "residency" for some time--say ~2 years. Then you work for 5-10 years to become a partner or a leading attorney... But your skills would never "dry up"...

I don't necessarily know about the working for 2 years to pass the bar. You can take the bar immediately upon graduating from law school; there are several GC lawyers here who have taken several bars and have only been out of school a year or two. There's no "residency" or internship period like there is in medicine, either.