Featured Job Survey: Would You Still Make The Same Choice?
Today’s ATL / Lateral Link survey is about hindsight. With real estate and structured finance in a slowdown, bankruptcy heating up, and some firms opening new offices while others shuffle their workforce, some career choices are suddenly much more exciting, while others … not so much.
So, if you knew everything you know today back when you joined your current firm, would you still make the same choice?
Update: This survey is now closed. Click here for the results.
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Justin Bernold is a Director at Lateral Link, the sponsor of this survey.
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firsty
Serioulsy, the "first" thing is really old now guys.
the real question is, would you still go to law school
hindsight is 20-20...
i'd go back to ugrad, get a science degree, take nothing but IP classes and negotiate a big salary and limited hours
I screwed up strategically. I clerked for a year after law school, then went to a mid-law firm, thinking I could stay there indefinitely building a career in a niche practice while still having a life.
Unfortunately, I barely got any work in my niche, and had to leave after a year to go to BigLaw, with the promise of lots of experience in my area, which is still quite hot.
Unfortunately, they have given me virtually nothing to do even though the department is busy--so I molder here, during the point in my career where I need to be accumulating valuable experience, without the ability to lateral again currently without looking like a total flake, and with the fear that the lack of work will be used as a basis for laying me off. Be careful out there kids!
there should be an option for "never would've gone to law school"
I screwed up strategically. I clerked for a year after law school, then went to a mid-law firm, thinking I could stay there indefinitely building a career in a niche practice while still having a life.
Unfortunately, I barely got any work in my niche, and had to leave after a year to go to BigLaw, with the promise of lots of experience in my area, which is still quite hot.
Unfortunately, they have given me virtually nothing to do even though the department is busy--so I molder here, during the point in my career where I need to be accumulating valuable experience, without the ability to lateral again currently without looking like a total flake, and with the fear that the lack of work will be used as a basis for laying me off. Be careful out there kids!
I conclude from your description that you suck-
For most, they had already choosen their path by the time they are a 1L. Even if you switch firms, you are still pretty much stuck in Lit, corp, IP, Tax, or particular specialites.
For this to be meaningful, you'd have to ask that if I choose to go to law school (big if), would have I approached my prep differently. Could even say that about undergrad, where a hard science of business/background would have helped.
Never would have gone to law school. Single most ill-conceived idea I've ever had.
I left the BIGLAW firm where I was, but I wouldn't have made the same decision if I could go back to 2L year. I should've trusted my gut about what I'd find interesting and what I wouldn't. I didn't have that miraculous "Wow, I always thought I'd hate antitrust...but it's FASCINATING" experience.
I'd love to see the yes/no response percentages by firm, or if those results are too sparse, by whether the firm paid market bonuses.
>Never would have gone to law school. Single most ill-conceived idea I've ever had.
+1
I conclude from your description that you suck-
Posted by: you suck | March 12, 2008 11:50 AM
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I'm absolutely heartbroken.
Wish I'd done a joint JD/Masters of Science.
"I didn't have that miraculous 'Wow, I always thought I'd hate antitrust...but it's FASCINATING' experience."
funny...i had EXACTLY that experience.
5:25: Yeah, I wish I had. I took a huge paycut to do work I actually want to do.