Fun Stuff > CHATTER
ITT: I suck at job hunting, do you?
Barmymoo:
This isn't wholy on topic as I haven't applied for any jobs but it seemed the most sensible place to ask for advice.
Ovviously term is about to start again and as a result I've got a ton of emails about law firm networking events. I hate these events, they're invariably boring, alcohol-ridden and full of small talk, which I'm really bad at. It's made worse by the fact that I was certain before I even began the degree that I don't want to be a lawyer. The events aren't compulsory but everyone keeps telling me that "you should go, you might change your mind and then you'll regret not having schmoozed a law firm already".
And that's the question: Are they right or am I? I have no doubt in my mind that I don't want to be a lawyer. I don't want to be a solicitor, I don't want to be a barrister, I don't want to work for a law firm full stop. The things I've considered as careers I'd enjoy are teaching, being a PA to someone in theatre or similar, working in an antiques shop and being a housewife. None of these things require me to network with law firms.
I've reached a point where I've begun to consider changing to another subject for my final year, just to make it completely clear that I do. not. want. to be a lawyer. Is that a bit too drastic? There are other reasons for changing, which I've covered before but mostly involve not really enjoying the compulsory modules (compulsory because they are necessary to qualify as a lawyer. Sigh.) and enjoying parts which are in another course as well.
TL;DR do I stick with the awful, awkward networking elements of being a law student on the miniscule chance that it might be useful in the future, or do I put my foot down and refuse to go to endless dinners, drinks parties, conferences, workshops and goodness knows what else because I hate them and have better things to do?
Jimmy the Squid:
If you absolutely don't want to be a lawyer then don't waste your time. From what I gather you already do a shitload of theatre stuff which is way more relevant to what it sounds like what you want to do.
gospel:
--- Quote from: Barmymoo on 28 Sep 2010, 03:45 ---This isn't wholy on topic as I haven't applied for any jobs but it seemed the most sensible place to ask for advice.
Ovviously term is about to start again and as a result I've got a ton of emails about law firm networking events. I hate these events, they're invariably boring, alcohol-ridden and full of small talk, which I'm really bad at. It's made worse by the fact that I was certain before I even began the degree that I don't want to be a lawyer. The events aren't compulsory but everyone keeps telling me that "you should go, you might change your mind and then you'll regret not having schmoozed a law firm already".
And that's the question: Are they right or am I? I have no doubt in my mind that I don't want to be a lawyer. I don't want to be a solicitor, I don't want to be a barrister, I don't want to work for a law firm full stop. The things I've considered as careers I'd enjoy are teaching, being a PA to someone in theatre or similar, working in an antiques shop and being a housewife. None of these things require me to network with law firms.
I've reached a point where I've begun to consider changing to another subject for my final year, just to make it completely clear that I do. not. want. to be a lawyer. Is that a bit too drastic? There are other reasons for changing, which I've covered before but mostly involve not really enjoying the compulsory modules (compulsory because they are necessary to qualify as a lawyer. Sigh.) and enjoying parts which are in another course as well.
TL;DR do I stick with the awful, awkward networking elements of being a law student on the miniscule chance that it might be useful in the future, or do I put my foot down and refuse to go to endless dinners, drinks parties, conferences, workshops and goodness knows what else because I hate them and have better things to do?
--- End quote ---
Just to be clearr; you are a law student with one year left and you are certainly planning to change your major?
I'm a bit perplexed by this since law school is generally a graduate endevour, and I am not sure what you would change your major to. I could use a bit of clarification since my reading comprehension is dwindling in these wee hours.
If my assessment is correct, I would say yes you can cut-down on the hobnobbing and networking. I would advise, though, to finishing your JD is a good idea if you only have a year left. At the end of the day, it can't hurt you really (assuming you're that close).
Barmymoo:
I'm just entering my second year, and it's not quite the same as in the US - I don't have a major as such, I'm just doing a law degree. There are no non-law exams or papers, and I don't get a whole lot of choice about the papers I do (this year I am doing five, and three are compulsory).
In the UK law isn't a graduate thing, you take an undergraduate degree and then professional exams afterwards. In my opinion the undergraduate degree shouldn't be as vocational as it is, but obviously I'm in the minority.
The thing about Cambridge is that you do your degree in two parts, so I've done Part IA and am about to start Part IB. Then I could do a completely different subject for Part II and still have a valid degree after just three years of studying. But I'm not sure whether or not to go for it. I'm glad you guys agree that the networking isn't as necessary as everyone who does want to be a lawyer thinks it is. I just feel guilty when people look at me and basically go "you don't know what you're talking about, why wouldn't you want to be a lawyer?", because then I kind of doubt myself.
allison:
I just got registered to participate in paid studies. Kinda thing where you get paid $5 for half an hour of your time. That kinda thing. Yes, I need money that badly.
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