If there's no reward why do it!!!!

Hi folks This forum is so great. So many of you have put out so much energy trying to complete your own paper chase. I have been interested in Law for the past twenty years. Twenty years ago I had a divorce, my ex wife cleaned out the bank accounts and left me without resource. She also took our combined tax refund and deposited it with her lawyer. Because I had no money I had to learn how to do a pro-se divorce which I did with good success. Now twenty years later I have the time and think I could be a good lawyer. Problem is Since time is not on my side I cannot afford to waste 4-5 years on training if I can't get a good gig. Can you imagine how stupid it sounds to me when a law school councelor says to me" the oldest people in their classes are 83 and that a lot of people just want to learn about how the law works". Why the hell would anybody do that! Why put yourself through such an ordeal without a reward at the end of the Rainbow!. 2.5 hrs a day X6x 48 months is a lot of bull not to wind up with anything except to be well informed.I would appreciate any of your comments and any of your suggestions. I believe in this forum, and I believe in the power of combined effort. Advice is welcome and so are your Thoughts. Traderneil

 

The learning is the reward.

 

Not everything is a "marginal revenue/marginal cost" decision. Sometimes decisions are made based on marginal utility.

If some people could earn more per hour, they would work less hours and forgo the extra money for additional free time. Others become motivated and work the same or more hours (if available) and trade time for other things.

For the most part, becoming a teacher is a slow path to starvation, yet people become teachers. Some give up promising careers to teach. Usually, a doctorate works against you in a job search (for jobst that don't require one), yet people still get them.

So, you need to ask yourself, "Am I really too old?" Even if you are in your 50's, 4 years isn't alot of time. Practicing the law is something you can do for a long time as long as you stay current. In fact, I just heard of a study that showed people that work on various work projects and continue to learn develop lower incidences of Alzheimers.

I went back to school in my 40's, then decided to do an MBA. Finally, in my late 40's decided to do a doctorate. Why? It seemed like a good challenge, and I was already 2/3 of the way there. Now, unforseen at the time, it did have a benefit, but I won't go into that. Even without that benefit I am ding dang doodely happy I went through the effort (I finished just before turning 52), and I must admit I am doubly happy I finished!

Don't over analyze it. If you want to do it, do it. TV ain't so great these days. Reality shows aren't, and there is only so much time anyone can spend at the gym!

Take care,

 

Revenge.

 

Actually I have a friend who is now doing a law degree while he is not interested to pursue the legal profession..... I believe learning is a rewarding process....

 

If the pursuit is for a degree, than I agree it may not be worth it under certian circumstances, if, however, what the person is after is an EDUCATION, then that is an altogether different thing.

I was actually considering enrolling in med school after I finished my Ph.D., but I had no intention of ever practicing medicine… the thought of telling my wife that I wanted to spend another 4+ years in school, however, soon sobered me up… Otherwise, I would have probably had to argue my own divorce proceedings too.

Cheers,
Tony Maranto

 

Caution: side effects!

...more energy, looking and feeling younger, rosy cheeks (well maybe not every day), more time for other activities (it is a time-honored secret: If you want to get something done, give it to the busiest person you know. ) In my experience, the busier I am, the more time I seem to have.

ok! I concede there are rewards other than "the learning". It must be that ever-present law of inertia, acknowledged friend/foe since 7th grade!

A notre sante! (avec l'accent)

 

Hi Tony - While I believe that I understand what you're saying here I'd like to respectfully disagree. Earning a real degree may well be worth whatever it takes for many people. I can't remember how many people (on this forum) have said, "I'm the first person in my family to earn a college degree..." Clearly the education is important but a college degree from a legitimate school means something extra for many people. It says something about a persons ability to follow through, their ability to navigate a complex system, their ability to push the envelope of their own life. I'd also add, that it's this same force, minus the self-confidence, that creates the degree mill market.
Jack

 

Always the best reason......

 

In my case, only HS diploma, only college degree, and if you include second cousins, the only doctorate.

 

Hi Jack,

I think that we are on the same page, and I wouldn't disagree with your point above. I myself am a first generation American and the proud son of two Italian immigrants, neither of whom had completed high school. Nonetheless they taught themselves English and through hard work made a successful path for themselves and a comfortable life for our family… and emphasized the importance of education. In the words of my dear departed father… “Go study, you lampione (lamp-post)… you wanna dig ditches?”

I would agree that there are other reasons to get a degree. I only meant that there are certain cases (not every one) where it might not be worth the effort (as the question was posed at the start of the thread). In any case, I’ve got my own personal hang-ups over the valuation of the sheepskin and not the actual education that it is supposed to represent. I’m presently in therapy for this.

Cheers,
Tony