I don't know what to do with my life.

[kdhmps]

Hi Everyone,

I am 25 years old going on 26. I have 60k in student loan debt from undergraduate and graduate school. My undergraduate degree is in Political Science/Pre-Law and my graduate degree is in Public Services Mgt/Public Policy. My training/experience is in the nonprofit sector, which I enjoy, but it doesn't pay very well. I opted out of going to law school (after being accepted) my senior year of college and decided to go to grad school instead. I was worried about being able to support myself while in law school, but now I am in debt and still can't repay it as well as maybe I would have been able to if I went to law school.

I would like to go to law school (if I had a million dollars), but since it has been five years since I took the LSAT, I have to start the process all over. And then I am concerned about the debt on top of what I already owe. And then I worry I am at the age when I should be meeting somebody, marrying, and having a family---I want to do that, too--but it would be hard while in law school. And even after law school, it would be hard because I'd absolutely have to be working hard to succeed and to pay back the debt.

I feel so conflicted. I know this is for me to work out. Sometimes I think about going back to school to do something else that would set me on a new career path...

I don't want anyone to tell me what to do here, but I am curious, are there others who don't know what the heck to do with themselves? I feel like I am getting too old not to know.

[MaxPower]

Hi

I was in your exact predicament about a week ago. I am only three years younger and only have my BA, but I was really lost in life. Given that I was having such a hard time finding a job, I was thinking about what I should do with my life -- go back to school, take a retail job, join the clergy, join the armed forces, do anything that makes me feel like I have some worth.

I have been lucky enough to find a job that I really think I will enjoy and have the opportunity to learn and grow within the company. It's the best thing I could ask for right now -- a job where I learn something new everyday, I'm able to apply what I learned in school and interships, hopefully a job where I will enjoy going to everyday.

I think you really need to have a serious sit-down and decide what's best for you and your life right now. 25 is still really young, so there is no need to rush the marriage-family scene, as that will come in time. If you decide that you are really passionate about law then maybe law-school would be a good choice. If you find an area of public service or politics that would make you happy, then possibly that would be a better choice. It's all about how you feel personally.

As my uncle frequently tells me -- "You are young and you still have your whole life ahead of you. You will eventually work for the rest of that life, so it might as well be doing something that you enjoy."

[cache]

And then I worry I am at the age when I should be meeting somebody, marrying, and having a family---I want to do that, too--but it would be hard while in law school.


Pssst...there's no such thing as should. It is your life. Do things according to the schedule you decide, not society or everyone else.

If law school is what you WANT, then I say do it.

You've got plenty of options. Don't limit yourself by any external factor.

[erika3536]

All this stuff goes through my head too!
I am nowhere NEAR close to being married or having children (considering I'm single), so i just put that in the back of my head for now and worry about the career stuff.

I think Law School would be great, maybe part time, while you're working somewhere else. At least you'd be on a path, instead of wandering all over.

and I also think you should speak to a therapist - i'm thinking of it too...sometimes it helps to talk to someone "on the outside," with a different point of view.

[kdhmps]

Thank you all for your responses! I guess with the level of uncertainty, I am afraid of making any decisions, quite frankly! I know I need to be pragmatic about it... I am glad to know I am not alone in this! I welcome any additional posts. Sometimes it is just nice to know other people are going through the same. I will consider all of your words and advice... :)

[meatwad]

Pssst...there's no such thing as should. It is your life. Do things according to the schedule you decide, not society or everyone else.

If law school is what you WANT, then I say do it.

You've got plenty of options. Don't limit yourself by any external factor.

Do or do not! There is no try!

[winneythepooh7]

Perhaps look into trying to find a company where they help pay for your education. Perhaps this is a way to make law school a reality. I too have been lucky enough to find a company where I think there is long-term future growth with. I also work in a field where it's going to take me a very long time to pay of my $70K in student loans (Social Work). Because of that, I probably will never go farther than my Master's, so I understand that aspect of where you are coming from.......

[kdhmps]

I sometimes get upset there is no "break" for me being in public services/social services on my student loans. It is a big argument within the social work profession--they have breaks for teachers, and they earn even more than social workers!

[winneythepooh7]

I sometimes get upset there is no "break" for me being in public services/social services on my student loans. It is a big argument within the social work profession--they have breaks for teachers, and they earn even more than social workers!

That's true! I don't want to get into a debate, but many teachers I know can make between $60&$80K and while it's a bitch during the school year, they do get summers and most holidays off along with other perks that I don't personally get (ie. better healthcare coverage, pension plan).........I would work morning, noon and night (which I basically do right now) to make more money and have summers off. Both professions though are undervalued and undercompensated. I was originally going to go into teaching but my mom, now a retired teacher, talked me out of it. If I didn't owe so much in student loans, I would definitely look into it at this point in my life (because I am getting married, planning on having at least one kid, so I like the idea of more time off for that). NASW is making a little bit of progress with the student loan part in NYC. You can now apply for some of your loans to be paid off. There is a lot of specific criteria though for this "perk" for Social Workers, none of which I qualify for unfortunately. (ie. I think you have to have your license for a certain # of years and work with certain populations). I think this is also a really new thing, almost a trial period year by year, probably funded by grants or what not....

[kdhmps]

We have a lot in common! I initially opted to go to law school. Because of family problems and fear of the loans, I went to grad school instead. Now I am stuck in a field that will not offer me the ability to pay these loans off any time soon...I can't even live on my own... Had I have known, I would have just gone to law school right from the start. I could still be in a helping profession, except I wouldn't be suffering. Being a do-gooder doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing your own welfare, but in our cases, it does. I am nowhere near marriage and family, but it is something I wanted. It seems my loans would be a burden... When people hear you make less than 30k but have that much in student loans, they think you are wacky! lol

I always get upset when I hear how much teachers are underpaid and overworked. Most teachers I know are doing pretty darn well, especially with a master's!

[winneythepooh7]

I manage a program so I make a little bit more than the average Social Worker, but I've also been working in the field for a long time. I live in a very high cost of living area so I still don't really make enough to get by on my own. I couldn't afford my rent on my own, for example. I used to have my own place but it was an illegal basement apartment, not really gorgeous apartment living. I have learned to budget really well by being in this profession. I manage to have my needs and most of my wants met because of this. But those loans are probably going to be there for a long, long time. I also don't feel that my fiance should have to pay towards them either, since it's my debt, but that's just me. Maybe that will change down the road when we are married and if we have a kid, and I can't work for a bit. I don't know how people new to the field do it. Especially those making under $30K in the NYC area.........