My main motivation is being able to help people, and I really enjoy what I know about being a lawyer and working in the legal system. I’m always intrigued with any and everything law related I come across. I have been told repeatedly over the years I would make a great lawyer by people (including lawyers) whom had no idea I ever thought about going into law. A few of the college classes I took many years ago were law classes (Business Law), and I aced them. Those along with history classes, I REALLY enjoyed…Math not so much, Accounting hated, Writing loved, Pol-Sci/Gov’t enjoyed.
I believe I have a type of mind that would go along good in law. Very good at problem-solving, excellent interpersonal skills, enjoy reading and writing, persuasive, detail-oriented, can fit in with down-and-out addicts and ‘street people’ one minute and button down C-Level execs the next, think critically, analytical, etc.
Highest on the list is the opportunity to help people. Which is why for a backup plan I would like to go into another field where I can help, if law school doesn’t pan out.
At the same time money is also important. I cannot say I am 100% sold on an area of law where I’m living on a McDonald’s managers salary (one of the reasons I ruled out Social Worker as a career or backup plan)! I’ve known lawyers in the past; one did social justice/pro-bono type work and the other was a criminal lawyer and neither made squat. The pro-bono guy was at the end of his rope because he was tired of the financial struggles and the criminal lawyer just basically accepted he would never make a lot but loved the thrill of criminal law and had no intention of doing anything else.