Hello. I am doing a public service piece on law school. As a student, I am offering an unbiased opinion on law school in 2012 and beyond. Sit with me, grab a snack, and read on as to what I have to say regarding law school and the legal economy in 2012, 2013, and beyond.
What will the legal economy be like in 2013?
That is an excellent question, and one that we are all dying to find out. As you may know, the 2011 graduates had one heck of a time finding a job. And every morning I kiss the ground thanking the heavens that I did not graduate in 2012. If you did, welcome to hell. I have one more year before I graduate, so I am trying to keep myself sane. But, the reality is that in 2013 I am going to graduate and I am going to be looking for work just like everyone else. Lucky me! And I am not excited. Should you be? No, you should be terrified. You should be so scared unless you come from a wealthy family, have connections, or have a SECURE job lined up. Chances are you don't!
If you do not have a secure job lined up you really need a solid plan. You need to be doing something to get a job AND you need to come up with at least one back up plan. Face it, you are NOT guaranteed a legal job in today's economy. If you think you are, you are honestly going to be feeling awful when you realize you are living off false hopes.
Welcome to hell. But don't worry, there are many things you can do to make it so you won't be at the point to where you wake up thinking of suicide and going to bed wishing you had offed yourself in the morning. (Suicide should not be on your mind at this point in life anyway.) First, you can try to find your NON-LEGAL passions. But before that you need to HYPNOTIZE YOURSELF into believing that law school made you smarter and that it was worth at least some of the cost.
What are your non-legal passions? Military? Teaching? Travel? Gardening? Walking pets? Cleaning other people's houses? Riding trains illegally? Playing music on the subway? Swimming across the ocean? Compile a list of your passions and figure out how to integrate these passions into your increasingly miserable life.
Now that you have some non-legal passions lined up and a back up plan, still FOCUS on getting that illusive law job (yes, you are probably wasting your time, but it will keep your mind busy -- which is great for suicide prevention). VOLUNTEER at a government job (Uncle Sam will love you for this). Chances are you won't find work, but you can make yourself feel like a real life lawyer -- something you have a GREAT chance of NEVER becoming. Volunteering WHILE IN LAW SCHOOL is better than WORKING FOR FREE and NOT being in law school. While in law school FOCUS your time into ACTUALLY LEARNING the LAW. I don't learn much law in class, I only learn theory. I have realized that the only way in which I can learn how to practice law is by going out myself and volunteering. Paradoxically, I am paying almost $50,000 a year to go to school, but pay nothing (other than minor costs, such as transportation and a fancy suit) to get real legal experience. Crazy huh?
Now that you are getting that legal experience, get that on your RESUME. Get that resume polished and send it out to everyone you can (literally EVERYONE -- law jobs, schools, fast food, oil companies, foreign companies, family members, E V E R Y single person you know should have a copy of it. Don't just blindly send it, though. Get the names of the hiring people and make sure the cover letter is somewhat tailored. Many won't read it, but some might. And, while it's possible in theory that no one will read a single cover letter or resume you send, you may feel like you are doing something.
Have those back up plans ready, because you may need 'em! (and let me elaborate once more, suicide is NOT a back up plan).
The legal economy for 2013 looksbad downright nasty/disgusting/rancid/rotten. The legal economy for 2014 may will probably be worse. And don't even get me started on the legal economy for 2015 (you are DOOMED child). It is shaping up be just downright ugly. And by that time you are going to know whether or not you are going to be working law. You may get lucky and find a job outside of the law. For example, there are some very fine fast food places that have managerial tracks. McDonalds is even toting some nice benefits these days for entering employees. Also, some states have some very lucrative minimum wages. Look into these. Connecticut, Washington, Illinois, Nevada and Massachusetts all come to mind (all higher than $8.00 an hour! Seriously consider these states if you can't move in with family or squat on land) And in a few years, you may be on the fast track to management. Also, be sure to think long and hard if you want to mention that law degree. In fact, maybe that can just be your dark little secret.
Next, you will need to come up with ways to cover up what you have been doing for the last 3 years.
Did you go on vacation while in law school? Maybe you can make this vacation seem a bit longer? Maybe you could say you were unemployed. Maybe you could use your internship experience but not mention it was law. For example, if you worked with the US Government, you could state that you did office duties and ignore the law aspects of it. Did you work for a non-profit? Maybe just put this under volunteer. Start a home business, and make it sound like you have been doing this longer. There are ways to cover up that pesky legal experience. You see, in 2013, 2014, and 2015 you may want to be like a chameleon, stating you did ANYTHING BUT LAW. Law school is not that impressive anymore, and even your own parents may be embarrassed that you are enrolled.
Lastly, it is normal to beat yourself up for not going into science or something else. Yes, beat yourself up about it. We all do. Don't beat yourself up too hard though. I say a year of lamenting is enough. Cutting may be a bit much, but it is perfectly normal to slam your head against a wall a few times (I have), or to tear up your diplomas. Oh, and on that subject, don't hang them up just yet. In fact, they may never get hung.
It's going to be a very miserable few years. I hope you have some back up plans ready, and I honestly hope that you find the success that few of us are finding. But even if you do find that success, it doesn't mean that the whole thing is just a mess. I live in constant fear of what my future will be. Do you?
You should.
(I am crying so hard right now)
What will the legal economy be like in 2013?
That is an excellent question, and one that we are all dying to find out. As you may know, the 2011 graduates had one heck of a time finding a job. And every morning I kiss the ground thanking the heavens that I did not graduate in 2012. If you did, welcome to hell. I have one more year before I graduate, so I am trying to keep myself sane. But, the reality is that in 2013 I am going to graduate and I am going to be looking for work just like everyone else. Lucky me! And I am not excited. Should you be? No, you should be terrified. You should be so scared unless you come from a wealthy family, have connections, or have a SECURE job lined up. Chances are you don't!
If you do not have a secure job lined up you really need a solid plan. You need to be doing something to get a job AND you need to come up with at least one back up plan. Face it, you are NOT guaranteed a legal job in today's economy. If you think you are, you are honestly going to be feeling awful when you realize you are living off false hopes.
Welcome to hell. But don't worry, there are many things you can do to make it so you won't be at the point to where you wake up thinking of suicide and going to bed wishing you had offed yourself in the morning. (Suicide should not be on your mind at this point in life anyway.) First, you can try to find your NON-LEGAL passions. But before that you need to HYPNOTIZE YOURSELF into believing that law school made you smarter and that it was worth at least some of the cost.
What are your non-legal passions? Military? Teaching? Travel? Gardening? Walking pets? Cleaning other people's houses? Riding trains illegally? Playing music on the subway? Swimming across the ocean? Compile a list of your passions and figure out how to integrate these passions into your increasingly miserable life.
Now that you have some non-legal passions lined up and a back up plan, still FOCUS on getting that illusive law job (yes, you are probably wasting your time, but it will keep your mind busy -- which is great for suicide prevention). VOLUNTEER at a government job (Uncle Sam will love you for this). Chances are you won't find work, but you can make yourself feel like a real life lawyer -- something you have a GREAT chance of NEVER becoming. Volunteering WHILE IN LAW SCHOOL is better than WORKING FOR FREE and NOT being in law school. While in law school FOCUS your time into ACTUALLY LEARNING the LAW. I don't learn much law in class, I only learn theory. I have realized that the only way in which I can learn how to practice law is by going out myself and volunteering. Paradoxically, I am paying almost $50,000 a year to go to school, but pay nothing (other than minor costs, such as transportation and a fancy suit) to get real legal experience. Crazy huh?
Now that you are getting that legal experience, get that on your RESUME. Get that resume polished and send it out to everyone you can (literally EVERYONE -- law jobs, schools, fast food, oil companies, foreign companies, family members, E V E R Y single person you know should have a copy of it. Don't just blindly send it, though. Get the names of the hiring people and make sure the cover letter is somewhat tailored. Many won't read it, but some might. And, while it's possible in theory that no one will read a single cover letter or resume you send, you may feel like you are doing something.
Have those back up plans ready, because you may need 'em! (and let me elaborate once more, suicide is NOT a back up plan).
The legal economy for 2013 looks
Next, you will need to come up with ways to cover up what you have been doing for the last 3 years.
Did you go on vacation while in law school? Maybe you can make this vacation seem a bit longer? Maybe you could say you were unemployed. Maybe you could use your internship experience but not mention it was law. For example, if you worked with the US Government, you could state that you did office duties and ignore the law aspects of it. Did you work for a non-profit? Maybe just put this under volunteer. Start a home business, and make it sound like you have been doing this longer. There are ways to cover up that pesky legal experience. You see, in 2013, 2014, and 2015 you may want to be like a chameleon, stating you did ANYTHING BUT LAW. Law school is not that impressive anymore, and even your own parents may be embarrassed that you are enrolled.
Lastly, it is normal to beat yourself up for not going into science or something else. Yes, beat yourself up about it. We all do. Don't beat yourself up too hard though. I say a year of lamenting is enough. Cutting may be a bit much, but it is perfectly normal to slam your head against a wall a few times (I have), or to tear up your diplomas. Oh, and on that subject, don't hang them up just yet. In fact, they may never get hung.
It's going to be a very miserable few years. I hope you have some back up plans ready, and I honestly hope that you find the success that few of us are finding. But even if you do find that success, it doesn't mean that the whole thing is just a mess. I live in constant fear of what my future will be. Do you?
You should.
(I am crying so hard right now)
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