"I Hate Being a Lawyer."
I recently received an email from our FindLaw digital marketing expert, who helps us figure out what kind of information our readers are looking for. He discovered something that a few of us had always suspected, but we never had any numbers to back up:
Every month, hundreds of people Google the phrase "hate being a lawyer."
Do You Hate Being a Lawyer?
The legal industry is a tough one, there's no doubt about that. Many of our colleagues work long hours and hold themselves to a near-impossible standard of performance. Burn-out is rampant.
But, many people who feel this way also feel like they're stuck. They think, "I paid so much money to go to law school." Or, "What else can I do, if not be a lawyer?"
For what it's worth, here's my answer: Whatever you want.
Believe It Or Not...
Legal training is useful in a wider variety of fields than they tell us in law school. There are entire blogs dedicated to ex-lawyers. Our skills as researchers, writers, public speakers, and critical thinkers are valuable in many places outside a law firm.
The hardest part is giving yourself permission to consider these options. And the thing is, it might not even be that practicing law isn't your strong suit. You might be a brilliant litigator or a masterful negotiator. But if you're miserable, what's the point?
It's Not Just You
It certainly doesn't help that the legal field has a history of viewing overwhelming stress as a rite of passage. Maybe you've noticed this where you work. Attorneys are encouraged to keep their nose to the grindstone 'til the job is done, no matter what.
You're not alone.
Of course, there are ways of managing stress and finding fulfillment in the practice of law. But that's also not the only option. If you genuinely hate being a lawyer, don't worry. You're not the only one, and it's never too late to see how else you can put those skills to work.
Related Resources:
- What Alternative Legal Career Is Right for You? (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
- Is Law School Worth the Time and Expense? It Depends. (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
- Why Lawyers Love to Hate Legal Dramas (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)