I think it's strange that the OP is a psychologist but is looking for validation on an online forum.

I feel like this is a strange question. Most people probably don't give a crap! Development doesn't stop when we reach age 18. We continue to develop and evolve and grow and our interests and circumstances change. Plus, many mid-career changers probably are building on skills or funds they made in their first career to transition to the second. You probably gained skills in law school that helped you in your next grad program, for example.

If you can afford to do it, great. I think people would only look down on you if you accumulated huge debt in law school, then accumulated huge debt in your next grad program. But that's just being flaky, has nothing to do with careers really.

Anonymous wrote:I think some people are quite naive about a career change. Grass is greener sorts. I'm an attorney and moved around a bit recently but am finally in a place with very interesting work, good pay and goo co-workers. Sometimes the move doesn't have to be so extreme. I just feel like some people don't have a good grip on the realities of their "dream" job.

I agree. I made a transition to what I thought was my dream job leading to a new career (but a stepping stone not a completely new careee) and discovered it wasn't what I wanted after all. Luckily, I didn't go back to school or invest more and it was easy to switch back again. I also realized that I didn't want to start over in my late 30s. It takes a lot of work and most people are young without families. I don't judge others though.

I think some people are quite naive about a career change. Grass is greener sorts. I'm an attorney and moved around a bit recently but am finally in a place with very interesting work, good pay and goo co-workers. Sometimes the move doesn't have to be so extreme. I just feel like some people don't have a good grip on the realities of their "dream" job.

Anonymous wrote:As a lawyer I sort of look down on you - there are many ways to practice law, and instead of sticking it out, you quit. If you are a woman I probably also suspect you are making bad financial decisions (accruing more student loans and forgoing prime work years for school, probably for a lower paying job).

.

What a stupid response....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a lawyer I sort of look down on you - there are many ways to practice law, and instead of sticking it out, you quit. If you are a woman I probably also suspect you are making bad financial decisions (accruing more student loans and forgoing prime work years for school, probably for a lower paying job).

I'm a female lawyer who left the practice of law after 10 years to become an RN. I love being a nurse. I hated being a lawyer. I hated working with lawyers. You are part of the reason why. It's worth it to me to take less money, if I don't have to deal with people like you every day.

That's saying something, that you'd rather work for doctors (who think they are God) than lawyers.

Anonymous wrote:Physician to high school teacher. Loved the kids and keeping ahead of them. Hated the lack of prestige. There's nothing lower in the education world than a middle aged+ woman. Sad.

I'm thinking of switching over to high school teaching and would love to hear more about this. What do you mean when you say that there is nothing lower in the education world that a middle-aged woman?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a strange question.

And you post a lot about having left the law to become a psychologist. Enough already.

I know!! I'm kinda over your story.

LOL, yes, we all are!

Anonymous wrote:This is a strange question.

And you post a lot about having left the law to become a psychologist. Enough already.

I know!! I'm kinda over your story.

Anonymous wrote:As a lawyer I sort of look down on you - there are many ways to practice law, and instead of sticking it out, you quit. If you are a woman I probably also suspect you are making bad financial decisions (accruing more student loans and forgoing prime work years for school, probably for a lower paying job).

I'm a female lawyer who left the practice of law after 10 years to become an RN. I love being a nurse. I hated being a lawyer. I hated working with lawyers. You are part of the reason why. It's worth it to me to take less money, if I don't have to deal with people like you every day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a lawyer I sort of look down on you - there are many ways to practice law, and instead of sticking it out, you quit. If you are a woman I probably also suspect you are making bad financial decisions (accruing more student loans and forgoing prime work years for school, probably for a lower paying job).

Agree. So long as she doesn't mind still having to work at 70, go for it, but by 60, I want to be down to part time.

OP here -- no way I want to go part-time by 60! I love my work and am just gearing up and in my career prime. I'd definitely be ready for PT by 60 if I'd stayed in law though, so there you go.

My shrink stayed active until her 90s. Great human being, and sharper than the rest of us!! Keep going as long as you can, OP. Best of luck to you, and be proud of your choices! An ex-lawyer is a find thing to be!

Anonymous wrote:As a lawyer I sort of look down on you - there are many ways to practice law, and instead of sticking it out, you quit. If you are a woman I probably also suspect you are making bad financial decisions (accruing more student loans and forgoing prime work years for school, probably for a lower paying job).

Someone bitter and wretched with no spine and no ability to take risks wrote this. She wants you to be just as miserable as she is!!

Go for it OP! Mid-life career changers are smart, gutsy risk takers and I admire all of you!

I agree that we keep hearing this story. Maybe you should see a therapist?

Anonymous wrote:I think you spend a lot of time posting on DCUM and I wonder why.

+1

We hear OP's story about her career change over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over ...

This is a strange question.

And you post a lot about having left the law to become a psychologist. Enough already.