<p>Hey everyone. I am a second year at the University of Virginia studying government and public policy. More recently I have become more aware of what I may want to do post grad. I have always wanted to be an attorney because I love the law. Unfortunately, from what I've heard and read the law market isn't something that you want to get into right now. I have also always had an interest in teaching, specifically history or government. I currently attend a pretty expensive school OOS, so my parents may not be happy if I decide to become a teacher. Is it worth it? I was reading and I think the starting salary in my county is really low, around $46,000. I'll probably have a good amount of debt from undergrad/grad. Would it be better to go to law school? Or could I teach for a few years and then decide whether or not I want to be an attorney?</p>
<p>Hi! I’m a third year majoring in Public Health with a minor in Education and I want to teach too. I think that grad school in teaching could vary, and it does depend on your state. I live in CA, so I am applying for a Masters in Teaching/Credential joint program. I heard being a lawyer is quite stressful, as you won’t be handed as many cases if you’re not good at what you do. However, I can say the same for the teacher market. It’s tough in the economy, but if you have a positive mindset and pursue what you really want to do, then I believe that you’ll be okay! </p>
<p>I think that it’s great you want to teach history or government and you major in public policy :)</p>
<p>Teaching pros:
- Summers off and shorter days
- Stable employment (after tenure and gaining some seniority - layoff risk high early on)
- Instrinsic rewards of teaching others
Teaching cons: - May not be a lot of openings in history - more in STEM
- Hard to move to a new district so lack of mobility
- Can be tedious doing same thing year-after-year
- Working in a union environment</p>
<p>Law pros:
- Can be lucrative if in a top-firm or if you build a good practice
- Work can be interesting depending on field
Law cons: - Hard to build a practice
- Expense of getting a degree
- Few openings in top-firms - have to be tops at a top school
- Long hours - burn-out of “lucky” to get in a top-firm
- Lot of un/under employed lawyers</p>
<p>Can you teach at a private school?</p>
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<p>It’s worth mentioning that certain programs and states allow for a portion or all of student debt relief once the student has fulfilled that programs obligations, like agreeing to teach at a state public school for 5 years. Look into if your state offers and programs that provide this type of benefit as it may negate the fact of a low starting salary.</p>
<p>One caution on these debt relief programs is whether they will be axed as states cut their budgets. States are all broke and looking for ways to save and with more teachers around they may not need to provide these incentives anymore.</p>
<p>There are also federal programs for debt relief for teachers/public servants. I know you can switch to income-based repayment where something like 10% of your income goes towards your loans. After 10 years whatever’s not paid off from your federal loans is forgiven. You have to be sure to never miss a payment or stop teaching during that time period, though.</p>
<p>46000 is not a low starting salary…</p>
<p>that said, you can probably find a job in northern virginia. Check out the counties up there, what they pay, openings, etc. Obviously, you will need a teaching degree, so if you don’t leave UVA with one, you will have to get one elsewhere.</p>
<p>Salary also depends on location. I got to an affluent public school district where teachers with 16 years of experience can make 100k + per year (and just think that their pensions after they retire are going to be like 70k per year or something), depending on qualifications.
Unfortunately, the area I live in has a very high standard of living, but all that means is that you’ll have a 30 minute commute.</p>
<p>There is also a significant pay boost if you move into administration (principal)</p>
<p>30 minute commutes are not long… at least not around DC, lol</p>