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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]What Career Path Did You Choose That You Strongly Advise Against? [/quote]

Law. Sort of.

I gained quite a few VERY valuable skills from law school, particularly writing, public speaking, and ability to critically analyze (and communicate on those analyses).

BUT.

Law school is VERY expensive. Most lawyers who come out do not make the salaries needed to justify the investment. BIGLAW is not for everyone (it wasn't for me, though I did pay mine off quickly via working a LOT).

Law, esp for new lawyers, can be tedious and soul-sucking. Lots of time in libraries, doing research, document reviews, etc. And the subject-matter is not always terribly interesting. I went a more non-traditional route in my practice and was doing some very interesting things earlier on than my peers.

Law (litigation, esp.) is just constantly arguing. Arguing for or against. No willingness to compromise, at least not easily. It can be exhausting, esp. when some issues or concessions are cut and dry.

Other lawyers . . . they are not always nice people. In law school, other students ripping out pages from case books so others can't have the benefit of them (I went as the Westlaw's of the world were just starting so we relied a lot on the books at the time). Sneaky. Overly competitive. Willing to do just about anything to gain the advantage. I used the description of soul sucking above and it really can be that way.

Early on in my career, I like the "kill" and winning. The above didn't always bother me. Now, I just find it exhausting. I switched to a nonlitigation position that makes it better, for sure. But, some of the above still is present. I'm too far along to change now. I'm good at what I do. I just don't love it. [/quote]

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