<p>If you compare doctors for example, society always needs people in the medical profession (people will always get sick) and thus it is said that doctors are in great demand. However, i hear that some lawyers, if they didn't go to famous law schools, (think ivies and other top-tier schools), it may be difficult for them to land a job. Also, don't some doctors make more money, don't some of them work shorter hours than lawyers, and don't some have more advancement opportunities than lawyers ? I like law and medicine equally well, but I'm just worried that becoming a lawyer won't prove as successful career-wise as i had previously thought. What do you think ?</p>
<p>I'm also in the same dilemma as you, after being pre-med for a year now, I am having some second thoughts about it. I am really really unclear at this moment. For now, my heart is leaning towards Pre-Law, but what if I suddenly want to go back to being Pre-Med again? Besides, pre-med seems a lot more grueling(for me anyway). I think I am good in the sciences, but I feel like there are certain skills in the lab that I lack. But when it comes to writing and analytical thinking, I think I am a lot better in that. And if it's something I can see myself greatly benefiting and improving, it's writing and analytical thinking. Science is more of a "work hard" thing for me to ace, I sometimes feel like I lack some sort of science skill, eventhough I am doing well, but there's still so many other students who come naturally with science.</p>
<p>But a lot of resources have said that lawyers are in huge demand and will be so in the next ten years. I was looking at the list of the most demanding jobs in America, and I haven't seen physicians being listed yet.</p>
<p>really, no physicians ? well, I really like biology and medicine and physiology, chemistry somewhat too, hence my liking to go into medicine. But my heart is in law, business, finance, humanities, etc and thus want to go into law. However, I'm getting scared now because I hear lawyers have it really tough, and I can just imagine. I want to go into corporate law, but those jobs are tough to land especially if you didn't go to an Ivy ! Look at the "some law schools are not worth going to" thread and it will outline it all for you there. just to quote cbreeze: "It's time those of us inside the profession did a better job of telling others outside the profession that most of us don't earn $160,000 a year, that we can't afford expensive suits, flashy cars, sexy apartments. We don't lunch with rock stars or produce movies. Every year I'm surprised by the number of my students who think a J.D. degree is a ticket to fame, fortune and the envy of one's peers-a sure ticket to the upper middle class. Even for the select few for whom it is, not many last long enough at their law firms to really enjoy it"..... I'm not money-hungry, but why should one have to suffer at an exhausting and grueling job after wasting so much time, money, and energy at law school ?</p>
<p>I just took a look at the post, sounds scarry. :l But that was what did predict of that job market, very competitive, indeed. I haven't looked through the post completely, but like any job, there's the dark side of it. And I agree with you, physicians are needed everywhere. I myself and suprised that it's not even listed on the sites I read, I know nurses are in big demand since the baby boomers are reaching towards an older age..
It's a tough decision but I am sure you'll find out sometime. I have to somewhat decide before July 17 since I will be registering for my Fall class, biology and all that sort! Eeeep! I don't know what to do! I love biology, chemistry is okay though. But I am terrified of taking physics. Are you a first year college student?</p>
<p>I worked a podunk sales job once that was based on strict commissions and the product was really hard to sell--thus it was a job given to those with pulses... well, two of the salesmen were fresh law graduates who couldn't find a job... so I believe the OP. As far as fastest growing jobs in America... Physician's assistant is in the top 5 for pay.</p>
<p>Physician's "Assistant" may be a misnomer. I just had a visit to the emergency room and we saw only a Physician's Assistant, who assessed and treated an accidental wound on her own. Although it wasn't a serious cut (only skin glue required), the PA was able to assess and treat without consulting a MD. I think that job will be seen more often in the future.</p>
<p>yams, i'm applying for undergrad college soon, so no, i'm not in college yet. But obviously in college, i want to take classes that will help me with my future career (and major i guess, too). For example, I dont want to suddenly say "Hey, why don't I just take the MCATS !! " after deciding to go into medicine instead of law, and then realizing "o crap, i didn't take the physics and calculus, etc. that was required for Med school." changing one's mind like that isn't going to help unless you've taken all the classes that are required for Med school, Law school or any other grad school you suddenly want to go to once you change your mind about what you want to do in life !!!! perhaps it's too early to permanently decide my career, but i have to start thinking about it sometime. And i'm not that great at math, so even though I like biology and medicine, I'd have to get through the physics and calc before I can even apply to med school ! 311Griff, you're right about those law students not being able to land a job, so just wondering, has anyone heard about medical students not being able to find a job fresh out of school ?!! YAMS, please speak with your family and other friends who know your interests and stuff, this is a hard decision to make !</p>
<p>I'm sure if you work hard, get into a top tier school, and graduate in good standings, you'll be wanted by law firms. I am not clear about graduates of Med school not being able to find jobs, oh hm, I think the one thing I do hear is, if you don't do well in med school, you will have a hard time finding residency, And ultimately, that is important too. If you cannot get a residency, that means you can't get jobs.
Both pre law and pre med, and the processes after that are grueling, now let's not think too muchaor get overly worried because we hear two law school graduates that are unable to get jobs.
Like any career, no one going to be hired with a 100% certainty after graduation. Sure, they may find work eventually, but things can take time.
And besides, do look up for the list of most demanding jobs in the next years(it's everywhere when you google it), and most of the lists I see have lawyers listed on there.
I have talked to my boyfriend about it, we're very very close, and he's known me for 4 years already. He told me that it is something I have to think through myself but he did mention before that it never seemed like I am passionate being pre med, he said perhaps my grandfather "brain-washed" me, which could be true. I don't know. But if it is something I think I enjoy more than working in labs and figuring out the standard deviation for so and so experiments, I find that enjoy more of analytical writing, reading and all that sort. And I think that lately, with my interests and my background, I feel that I might be more well suited towards pre-law. I've read your other post and you did mention you are interested in international law? So am I, I feel that if I do go to Law School, that would be something I would gear towards.
I have three more weeks to figure this out before I register for my classes!! AHHHH!!
You still have time, the whole summer in fact. Even if you change your mind after a year(like I am beginning to) don't worry, things will work out, and you'll discover yourself and understand what you truly do enjoy.</p>
<p>You're right Yams, and saying "Hey, lawyers have it tough, so why not just become a doctor" is a little bit primitive when you're in a dilemma, and when you have to make a permanent (or almost) decision. I just don't want to make mistakes that will later have me saying in life "hmm, this isn't the career I should have pursued." Another thing that I read on the "why law school isn't worth it" thread was that one member in his/her post wrote "i had 3 law internships and there the lawyers told me 'hey kid, why don't you just go into medicine?'." I did find that comment kind of funny, but a little bit sad. I don't want to become one of those lawyers who says that later in life. Anyway, go where your heart is !</p>
<p>I find that statement kind of odd, since the legal and medical professions are so very different. It is hard to believe that they would appeal equally to an individual. So what's left? The money?</p>
<p>
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if you don't do well in med school, you will have a hard time finding residency
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Nonsense - there are more than enough residency spots for every single US medical school graduate, and the vast - we're talking huge - majority match into their top choice.</p>
<p>US News tabulates the percentage of lawyers who are employed nine months after graduation - although, granted, not necessarily in legal professions.</p>
<p>Of all the top 100 schools, the lowest percentage is 85.7%, 95 schools are above 90%, and 66 are above 95%.</p>
<p>When law schools report how many of their graduates are employed 6 months/9 months/1 year after graduation (pick a point of measurement), those statistics do not include information about the number/percentage of graduates who are underemployed or who are employed in a location, a field or a situation that is not what that graduate would have chosen if more options had been available to him or her.</p>
<p>Well, if you really don't do well in Med School, you can't pass the USLME(like the Bar), likewise, you won't be getting into any residencies.</p>
<p>
[quote]
you can't pass the USLME
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Oh, this is not something to worry about. 96% of US med school grads pass on their first try, and on any subsequent administration, 70% of kids pass then. So one round has 96% passing, two rounds have 98.8% passing, and three rounds have 99.2% passing, etc.</p>
<p>If some guy is charging you 500 bucks an hour to represent you, you'd want the best, not some podunk from a 3rd tier university.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>If some guy is charging you 500 bucks an hour to represent you, you'd want the best, not some podunk from a 3rd tier university.</p> </blockquote>
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<p>I think you are on the right track, SB, but you assume that a grad from a non-elite law school is necessarily less qualified. Of course, that's not any more true of law school grads than engineers, MBAs, etc. Sure, the pre-screening that super-selective schools perform in the admissions process ensures that just about everyone who gets in is pretty bright... but that doesn't speak to an equally bright student who elects to attend a less-selective school for financial, geographic, or other reasons.</p>
<p>I'd reword your statement a bit: "If I'm a big corporate law firm, and if I'm going to charge my clients $500 an hour for a newly minted lawyer who's still wet behind the ears, I'd better be able to reel off a string of impressive education credentials and hope the client doesn't ask about experience."</p>
<p>There's little doubt, though, that the job market gets tougher as you move down the law school food chain. At a school that has a lower placement rate for its grads, I'd say it's particularly important to excel academically, to seek out good internships and volunteer opportunities, and to cultivate relationships with profs (who may help spot talent for law firms).</p>
<p>
[quote]
you assume that a grad from a non-elite law school is necessarily less qualified.
[/quote]
Not only that, but you are assuming that a person with elite college "book smarts" is also a person with enough personality, savvy and common sense to be an excellent attorney. I don't think this is always the case. At least it doesn't necessarily equate in other professions.</p>
<p>I'd modify that statement further: If I'm a big corporate law firm, and if I'm going to charge my clients $500 an hour for a newly minted lawyer who's still wet behind the ears, I'd better be prepared to lose all of my clients the first time they get a bill."</p>
<p>You are probably right, Greybeard. But whether it's management consulting or legal work, the time-honored tradition of big firms billing out new associates at fairly high rates favors grads with awesome-sounding educational credentials.</p>