Career Choice: Stability VS Happiness

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

<p>So a little briefing so you guys can reply to me better: Girl, 14, freshman in HS.
I just realized that by revealing my age I am taking the chance of people not taking me so seriously, but I hope you guys will anyway.</p>

<p>I'm really very interested in both law and medicine (surgery) and I would love to do law but I have become a bit hesitant after hearing horror stories about Yale graduates who have hard time finding jobs and the lack of jobs in the Human Rights Law sector. Now I don't want to choose my career just because it's lucrative but I also don't want to be on the streets - being able to support myself (and a family) is important to me. </p>

<p>I know for a fact that medicine - albeit having an expensive and ridiculously rigorous and long study time period - is a pretty stable - but not easy on stress in anyway - job: you don't often find cardiologists or neurosurgeons out of jobs. You do undergrad and med school from good schools and get a good internships and you're pretty much guaranteed a good job.</p>

<p>I know I would be well-suited for medicine (as much as can at this point, of course) because I get pretty good grades in math and science and I also really enjoy Bio - it's one of my favorite subjects. I don't know how much this translates to in bigger terms, though. I can see myself working as a surgeon or doctor too. </p>

<p>My dream at this point, however (which is, incidentally, getting soggier and progressively dropping back to Earth) is to do International Law. Unfortunately, I have heard negative things about it, the least of which have called it "a misnomer, useless, a fad and so one" - you get the point. </p>

<p>Also, close friends of my family and other sources have said that lawyers are, by the peak of their career, very unhappy with their lives and careers. Of course, I'm not saying this is true for everyone so feel free to voice your disagreement with this fact. Suffice to say, I want to actually like my career when I am practicing it. Is it just me or does this seem to be very rare? </p>

<p>So I want to get your opinion: although I know have some time (?) until I need to set my career choice in stone, it would be nice to have a goal to work towards. </p>

<p>Would you say that stability in a career is more important in a career than true happiness with your job?</p>

2

<p>OP, yes, you have plenty of time to explore the many options and pathways available to you before you need to decide on a career. Of course, if you want to keep an option open for medicine, you’ll need to start relatively early in your undergraduate studies. Keep in mind, however, that as long as you complete the pre-med requirements, you can major in a field that can prepare you to pursue either law or medicine. </p>

<p>As to your question about stability vs. happiness, there is no easy answer. The answer will largely depend on what’s most important to a particular person. In fact, it’s often a trade-off that very well might alternate during various phases of one’s career. I think the one thing that is guaranteed is that whatever field you choose, it will undergo many unforeseen changes over the course of a career. So, for me, the most important thing is to make sure your education (which is lifelong process anyway) prepares you to adapt to changes, to take advantage of new opportunities, and to give you as many options as possible. </p>

<p>Anyway, here are some links about careers in international law for you to explore:
<a href=“https://canadianlawyersabroad.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2011/02/11/so-you-want-to-be-an-international-lawyer-part-1/[/url]”>https://canadianlawyersabroad.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2011/02/11/so-you-want-to-be-an-international-lawyer-part-1/&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“https://canadianlawyersabroad.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2011/02/22/so-you-want-to-be-an-international-lawyer-part-2/[/url]”>https://canadianlawyersabroad.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2011/02/22/so-you-want-to-be-an-international-lawyer-part-2/&lt;/a&gt;
[So</a> you want to be an international lawyer? - Special Reports - Lawyers Weekly - Breaking legal news, views, analysis and legal jobs online](<a href=“Lawyers Weekly - legal news for Australian lawyers”>Lawyers Weekly - legal news for Australian lawyers)
[Powered</a> by: Doteasy - Bannerless Free Web Hosting and Email for Small Business and Individual](<a href=“cla-ace.ca domain name is for sale. Inquire now.”>cla-ace.ca domain name is for sale. Inquire now.)
[William</a> & Mary Law - International Law](<a href=“http://law.wm.edu/library/research/careerguides/international/index.php]William”>International Law Career Guide | William & Mary Law School)
[International</a> Law Careers | University of Pittsburgh School of Law](<a href=“http://www.law.pitt.edu/academics/cile/careers]International”>http://www.law.pitt.edu/academics/cile/careers)
[Researching</a> Careers in International Law: Education, Training, Internships, Study Abroad, Teaching, Practice by Lyonette Louis-Jacques](<a href=“http://www2.lib.uchicago.edu/~llou/careers.html]Researching”>Researching Careers in International Law: Education, Training, Internships, Study Abroad, Teaching, Practice by Lyonette Louis-Jacques)
[Careers</a> in International Law and Diplomacy, UCLA Burkle Center](<a href=“UCLA - International Institute ..::.. Error”>UCLA - International Institute ..::.. Error)
[Varied</a> experiences lead to international law careers | BrandeisNOW](<a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/now/2011/april/humanrightslaw.html]Varied”>Varied experiences lead to international law careers | BrandeisNOW)
[Human</a> Rights Lawyer: Job Information and Requirements for Becoming a Human Rights Attorney](<a href=“http://education-portal.com/articles/Human_Rights_Lawyer_Job_Information_and_Requirements_for_Becoming_a_Human_Rights_Attorney.html]Human”>Human Rights Lawyer: Job Description, Education & Salary)
<a href=“http://www.healtorture.org/files/files/islaquarterly.pdf[/url]”>http://www.healtorture.org/files/files/islaquarterly.pdf&lt;/a&gt;
[What</a> is the best undergraduate program for international law? | TheLawyersAdvice Blog](<a href=“http://blog.thelawyersadvice.com/2011/04/what-is-the-best-undergraduate-program-for-international-law/]What”>http://blog.thelawyersadvice.com/2011/04/what-is-the-best-undergraduate-program-for-international-law/)</p>

<p>While I am in no way trying to discourage you or to suggest you change your aspirations, I strongly would recommend that you not get locked into a certain path at this early stage and that you consider the full range of possibilities. So, reading your post, some alternate pathways that immediately popped into my head were those concerned with international health. These combine aspects of both your interest in an international career and your interest in health professions. Many health issues intersect with human rights issues. And, perhaps, these pathways also offer a reasonable potential to find both stability and happiness in your work. So, to stimulate your consideration of these things, here are some more links:
See my post in this thread:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/other-college-majors/780164-starting-major-too-late.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/other-college-majors/780164-starting-major-too-late.html&lt;/a&gt;
Also, these links:
[Tulane</a> University - Graduate Programs and Degrees - Academics -School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine](<a href=“http://www.sph.tulane.edu/publichealth/academics/grad_progs_degrees.cfm]Tulane”>http://www.sph.tulane.edu/publichealth/academics/grad_progs_degrees.cfm)
[International</a> Nutrition/Law & Diplomacy - Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy - Tufts University](<a href=“http://nutrition.tufts.edu/1177953850921/Nutrition-Page-nl2w_1177953851870.html]International”>http://nutrition.tufts.edu/1177953850921/Nutrition-Page-nl2w_1177953851870.html)
<a href=“https://wikis.uit.tufts.edu/confluence/display/FIC/M.A.+in+Humanitarian+Assistance[/url]”>https://wikis.uit.tufts.edu/confluence/display/FIC/M.A.+in+Humanitarian+Assistance&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>I was in the same position as you until like two months ago.</p>

<ol>
<li>look at all of your options. its too early to be set on one thing now.</li>
<li>VOLUNTEER at hospitals AND law offices so you can get the feel of both . (and if you decided medicine you can get into good BA/MD programs because of volunteering) i volunteer at 2 hospitals and a med care center and I was a part-time secretary for my dad when he was looking for a new one. </li>
<li>Research. do a lot of it.</li>
<li>relax. you have 3-4 years ahead of you. dont get so worked up now, but dont put it all off either.</li>
</ol>

<p>honestly, if the economy wasnt so crappy, i would have chosen corporate law in a heartbeat. i love it. but now you have to make smart decisions. and now as im planning for college (im a junior), im looking for good premed schools because i know that’s something i can do that will give me more stability in life. </p>

<p>goodluck (:</p>

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<p>OMG I’m in the same dilemma you are in!! I absolutely love law! But after research, I’ve discovered that finding a job in a firm after law school can be hard and tiresome. Which suckssss 'cause I want to be a civil rights lawyer!! On the other hand, I’m considering going into the med field b/c it’s more stable, but I’m soooo scared I might kill a patient!!:confused: </p>

<p>I agree with ppl above. Keep your options open & try to volunteer at both hospitals and do something law-related. Are you more hands on(med) or arts/writing-made? It helps to know which you like more. But I say do what makes you happy.</p>

5

<p>

</p>

<p>So do you feel that you will be happy doing medicine? Or do you still wish that you could do law? </p>

<p>Thanks for the tips, by the way, I really agree with those. I have a shadowing opportunity with a lady in the Department of Justice this month so I can have a look around courts and stuff. I also plan on doing an internship at a hospital: medicine really does interest me but truly, the only thing that puts me off is that people automatically assume I want to do medicine “simply for the money.” Sure, money matters but I don’t want to work simply for that - I also want it to be fulfilling, you know? </p>

<p>Also I feel that my parents really want me to do medicine - only my mom says it outright but I think they both want that path for me. I don’t want to choose my career simply because of that. </p>

<p>What colleges are you looking at? I’m pretty interested in Columbia - it has a pretty good premed program and a good prelaw one as well.</p>

6

<p>Determined123,</p>

<p>LOL, I’m sure you won’t kill anyone :slight_smile: - but it’s a bit of problem if someone does die on your hands because then you have to go through the whole malpractice thing :frowning: </p>

<p>What do you want to do in medicine? The thing I’m starting to like about medicine is that there are so many choices. On the other hand, (unlike law) once you pick a specialization it’s pretty much impossible to do anything else. Law does, in my opinion, give you more freedom. One of our family friends who did law is now a grad school professor. </p>

<p>What do you mean by hands-on? My two favorite subjects are biology and writing :S
I’m actually pretty good at writing and I really enjoy it too.</p>

<p>Haha, I’m just glad I have some time to decide.</p>

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<p>

There ya go.</p>

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<p>Happiness is always the way to go.</p>

<p>If you have a job that makes you happy, you’ll never have to work a day in your life. :P</p>

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<p>^^</p>

<p>You guys seem to be making a pretty good point, but unfortunately you can’t really be happy if you have no means to do much. I’m not saying money buys happiness, just that it has become everyone’s mindset.</p>

<p>:D</p>

<p>Nice advice, though. I’m not really original though, am I? I’ve decided I’m not deciding on my career (redundant :stuck_out_tongue: ?) until it’s time for grad school. No point worrying my head over something I’ve got no control over at this point.</p>

<p>…undergrad is supposed to help you decide, right? Anyway, my top favorite schools at this point (Duke and Columbia) have both good prelaw and premed programs. <em>sigh</em> And in high school I think I’ll just take whatever classes strike my fancy.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>in reply to your question: yes i do feel i’d be happy. honestly i wanted to do corporate law because i would have the option to be one of those lawyers that rarely speak in court. i hate public speaking. if im a doctor, i wont have to do much of that. </p>

<p>and for undergrad, Boston U for their accerlated BA/MD program. its good that you’re volunteering though ! try the school nurse too ! I volunteer and 2 hospitals, a med care center and i help out the school nurse.</p>

<p>also for highschool, take APs that will benefit you. :)</p>

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<p>Happiness is bad for evolution. If you want to be happy, go with culinary school. Food are always in high demand and they tastes really good!</p>

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<p>Exactly. If you truly love your career, you won’t give up on it despite the challenges it may present.</p>

<p>As a side note, pursuing medicine is arduous. (That was a litote.) You get out of school and finish your residency when you’re around 30, and then you can get a job. Half of the people who begin med school end up dropping it.</p>

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<p>adababy845: Ah, that’s kinda funny, actually. The reason I wanted to do law was because I really enjoy interacting with people and law has a lot of that - debate is one my favorites too and I like public speaking. Medicine seems a bit sheltered, but not too much. The science is the most fascinating part. Yeah, I will be volunteering at hospitals. I’m taking my ACLS soon so hopefully I’ll be a bit more involved. Best of luck to you!
Oh, I live near GWU. It has a 7 year accelerated BA/MD program too. </p>

<p>chicken1992: That it is. Very true.</p>

<p>karaokemachine: That’s spot on. However, I know logically that as a first year high school student I cannot possibly know my career just yet. As I learn, though, I’ll get a bit more insight on things.
It is, but I think law equals the studying. It’s not as stable, though.
At least I’ve got it narrowed down to two careers. I feel as though I come off as a bit of a poser, though: most people these days say they want to do either “law or medicine.” Those are just honestly the two things I’m interested in and feel I’d be good at.</p>

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<p>OP, Well I wanted to be an anesthesiologist, because I think anesthesiology is so interesting. But then an ER doctor became soooo appealing to me b/c I would know how to treat a variety of cases and helping people is something I definitely want to do in life! But my biggest fear is that I might accidentally kill someone, or hurt them when inserting a needle, or just small stuff like that. I want to help people, but not hurt anyone.</p>

<p>I love law because I think justice should be served! I don’t really like public speaking, but I love debating and arguing(and being right, too, lol). I’m really good and thorough at researching & I have pretty good writing skills. My only fears about this career are about how I’ll get a job after grad school. And I want to work for the gov’t too. Like CIA or Homeland Security. So many choices!</p>

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<p>I don’t want to help people when it comes to medical or political stuff. I want a stable job because I can make any situation a good one. :slight_smile: Social + Stable = Happiness</p>

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<p>I would choose a stable career path that would make me happy XD</p>

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<p>@Determined123 Anesthesiologists earn a lot of money, so you’re good with that one.</p>

<p>@DasSuiGeneris Reminds me of these adults I was talking to the other day who advised me to either go into business, medicine, or law (as opposed to biology or something) because they lead to the most stable jobs.</p>

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<p>You guys do realize that not every doctor is livin’ large, right? Plenty are making respectable livings, but few are making what the elite surgeons do–because that’s the definition of elite. </p>

<p>And it’s not as if stability and happiness are mutually exclusive. At no point will some omniscient being descend from the heavens and offer you the choice between Happiness in one hand and Stability in the other (and isn’t happiness a sort of stability, anyway?). You all have many years of high school, college, and post-college fumbling in which to learn about yourself: your strengths, your weaknesses, and most importantly, your priorities. </p>

<p>And besides, much of your future is decided by the chance of college admissions, of hearing about internships/jobs from friends and family, of location, of the economy, of post-grad options… So little of your life is determined at this point that even if you said, “I choose happiness!” and decided to be a lawyer, it would hold almost no water.</p>

<p>Which is all to say: chill out.</p>

19

<p>Don’t think about stability. If you really like art, be an artist. Living on food stamps isn’t that bad and you will be fundamentally happier than some kid who wanted to go become a doctor in order to make some huge sum of money. Life is short–do what you love.</p>

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<p>@SuperMarioBros: The best of both worlds…perfect!</p>