So I’m going to be a senior (yikes) at James Madison University this upcoming fall and I need some advice from you wonderful people. I’m a pol sci major at JMU and I want to go into politics/government/campaign work after school but I’m kinda stuck deciding what path exactly to go on. I have three choices; one is to go to law school and come out and try to pass the Bar and then either try to work in a firm or on the Hill, instead of going to law school go get a masters somewhere in government related field, or try and go straight to working on the Hill. Obviously ik i can do law school/postgrad while i work but I’m not sure once I start working I want to go back to school unless my job pays/makes me go. So I was just wondering if I could get some advice from anyone, I have a 3.3 GPA and a pretty good resume so I have some doors open to me. And I don’t really care if I get into the more prestigious law schools/graduate schools so anything is open. Thanks in advance!
This is a really hard question and what is right for one person might not be right for someone else.
Personally, I would very seriously consider working for a year or two and then decide. You will get a much more well rounded view of the world after working for a while.
If you aren’t sure what you want to do yet, the best thing you can do is go work for a few years. There’s really little point in paying for a degree that you aren’t sure you’re going to need.
If you start working and like your job so much that you don’t want to return to school, that’s a GOOD thing! You should only go back to graduate school if you feel like you need a graduate degree in order to get the job that you really want.
I’d recommend taking the LSAT before or shortly after you graduate. The scores are good for five years, so you don’t have to go right away. However, there is an advantage to taking it sooner as you will have more time to study for it and still be in the studious mindset. If you start working, your time will be more limited and you probably will be less inclined to sit down and study.
Our kid graduated, and with a small bit of savings, moved to WashDC and accepted an unpaid internship on The Hill.
Immediately got a restaurant job to keep a roof over her head and food on the table.
Switched unpaid internships once? twice? Sent out nearly 20 resumes? Did some interviews. About 6 months in, got hired, entry level staff position on The Hill.
Our kid is VERY happy. Loves work. Loves DC. Says she has learned tons, and likes it when “staff alumni” visit and give the younger staff ideas on possible career trajectories in The Beltway.
She was unsure what she wanted to do when she graduated college, but was certain she did not want to jump into grad school or law school immediately.
Moving to a new city, across the country, moving in with roommates she didn’t know, only having an unpaid internship and a little savings…it was exciting for her, and a good time in her life to take the risk.
She also considered staying in-state, as she had a few leads with a state representative and another candidate, but in the end, she decided she could “always come home”, but might not always be able to pick up and move.
Good luck to you! There are so many paths to a rewarding enjoyable life!