Are friends/family shocked at your salary?

That's great, except for the fact that you're stuck in Texas, which I labored many years to escape from. Might even wind up as your own country, or part of Mexico one of these days.

 

Waylon and stix,

Thanks for the input. I guess I'm just not totally convinced that I WANT to do the law school thing. I was no scholar, but got through undergrad with a 3.14 and figure I can learn about as well as the next monkey.

I guess the biggest thing that scares me is the finances. How the heck do I keep my head above water for 2-3 years studying full-time? I'd have not only school expenses, but living expenses to budget for.

Truth be told, the only two careers that have ever truly interested me were (1) sports stuff and (2) media of various forms (hard news, TV, radio, etc.). I know I need to make a change, but an absolutely clueless as to WHAT.

 

Stix:

Sounds like you and your fiancee have talked all of this out in advance and both know what they are getting into. If that's the case, more power to you. The rocky part seems to come when there are unanticipated events and one party isn't fully committed or prepared to deal with that.

I wish you well.

 

Be an associate at a big city firm, that's what, and then go from there, just like the majority of people who come out of my school.

Don't worry about me. I know it's your smartest-person-in-the-room schtick to think everyone on here is some naive, baby-faced newbie, but I've set myself up very nicely, thank you very much, and put plenty of thought into where my professional and personal lives are going.

What's your answer for everyone, spnited? Don't just come on here and rip everyone's shit all the time if you aren't going to give any answers other than, "I make a lot of money in journalism." Obviously there are successful people in this world. Some of them even do something other than journalism. And yet your advice, consistently, is that everyone should just bag it, that there's no hope for them.

I don't disagree that there is plenty of naivete that surfaces on this board. I guarantee you it's not coming from me.

 

Wrong.

 

I don't mean to throw a blanket over everyone, but it seems like a lot of you are saying you have a choice to stay in newspapers, a job you love, or take a job you hate. Well, not all non-journo jobs are ones you'd hate. You just don't know until you give it a shot. I hope no one lets the fear of "doing a job I hate" keep them from venturing out and making a better life for you and your families.

 

Spnited, they don't tell that in law school. It's supposed to be a secret.

 

There are plenty of people who end up regretting law school because it's sold as something it's not, particularly at the lower-ranked schools.

There is also plenty of information out there, available with a few keystrokes, to make sure that doesn't happen to you.

The key is to not just settle for any old law school. They aren't all equal. I cringe on these boards whenever this subject comes up and someone says something along the lines of, "My LSAT isn't really that important, because I just plan on going to Local U anyway," not understanding that a high LSAT score can get you into Local U at a significant, significant price reduction. Talking five or six figures.

I've never understood why people are willing to spend three years on a grueling education, but not a few months preparing for the entry test that can make all the difference on what the degree can do for them.

 

Fine answer Waylon. Good to know you have a plan and you're going to be a success, no matter what. I'd be interested to knowing where you are in five years.

I'm not telling anyone to stay in the newspaper business as it continues to fade --- it is not, however, dying tomorrow or next week or even next year.

In fact, I'm not telling anyone what to do with their lives. That is a personal choice that really is none of my business. All I'm saying is for all the bitching about low pay and bad hours in newspapers, we are not alone.
And if you're working for a mid-major/major paper, you're probably still making a living wage even with the economoy and the business in the shitter.

 

Indeed, one might be better off in all aspects going to school to learn to be an auto mechanic.

 

Sorry if I came off a little harsh there. I just truly believe that there is a way to approach something like law school - or medical school or business school - and find success. The biggest problem, and I think you'll agree with me, is people who think the grass is automatically greener on the other side, and look for a quick fix. I just cringe any time a sentence in one of these threads begins with some variation of, "I figure I'll just ..." and the rest of the post is how this poster is just going to somehow miraculously settle into a fulfilling new life and career.

Career change, done right, is hard work. More hard work than most people are willing to put it. It takes sacrifices. More sacrifices than most people are willing to make.

But if you're someone who is able to think long-term, there are viable options there for you. Just don't expect it to be easy. If it were, everyone would do it.

 

That pretty much is what I've been trying to say, Waylon, to all of the "I can't wait to get out of this busniness and get a job where I make real money" people.
You have a plan. I hope it all works for you. Good luck.