Job Discussion Forums

[Jitpring]

Hello, I just discovered this site and have already read many of your excellent posts. This is a quality group of people. Here's my situation: I just graduated from law school in May. I'm now awaiting the results from the CA July bar exam. My problem is that I'm virtually certain that I don't want to practice law, even if I do pass the exam. My heroes are Goethe, Nietzsche, Dostoevsky, Beethoven, and Mozart - not money-grubbing lawyers. I'm 32 years old, not married, no children. I graduated from law school at this relatively old age because I spent years out of school reading and listening to the works of these heroes, along with thinking and writing about my own concerns. I'd love to learn Russian and/or German, and teaching English abroad seems like a great way to do this. Also, I seek to escape this culture (U.S.A.) in which entertainment capacity and vulgarity have become the supreme measures of value. I fell in love with St. Petersburg, Russia when I went there in 1989. I also have some connections in Kiev that would make that a possibility. I have no connections in Germany or Austria, but would love to go there too. What would you do? Do you think I should give up my legal career and teach abroad? Also, do you think that my law degree will be at all advantageous in getting hired? If I were eventually to decide to practice law after teaching, I imagine that my knowledge of Russian or German would be quite valuable. Any constructive input will be appreciated.

[Glenski]

Here in Japan, I have proofread resumes from more than one lawyer who has actually been working and wanted a change. They aren't really suited for much except teaching at conversation schools here.

I would suggest picking up a TEFL certificate/training to prepare yourself for the new career if you are the least bit serious about it. As for learning a language by living in a country and teaching, it depends on a couple of things.

1. How much free time will you actually have from teaching? In some situations, very little.

2. How much discipline do you have in learning a language? Remember that you will be living in a new land and be tempted to sightsee and get to know the locals in your free time. Learning a language takes time.

[dmb]

there is a school here in Istanbul looking for EFL teachers with a legal background.

[Sadken]

Hi, I am in an almost identical situation. I studied part time for my degree whilst working in a law firm for the past 6 years. After four and a half years of study and having basically worked as a lawyer for the past three years, I realised that all the job could offer me was stability. I want excitement, adventure and really wild things and decided that, if none of my ambitions are going to be fulfilled staying at work, I should probably head off. I got a job with Nova in Japan and am off in a couple of months. I am not sure what I will find or what sort of experience I will have but that is what intrigues me. The problem is I know exactly what my life will be like here. Russia is an amazing country and everyone I have seen on here who is teaching over there seems to be having a good time of it. Go for it, mate. Jack in your job and life and do something exciting and new.