Smart Graduate School choices?????

[MonMornQB]

With the current collaspe of the legal field and overall inadequate job market for new attorneys, I'm considering taking a different path than law school if I continue my education.

What do those here at SF believe is the best field of study to undertake nowadays when going to graduate school?

What would offer the best chance for an above average salary and long-term advancement; even if one had to begin at the bottom of the career ladder?

I'm 28 years old with a Bachelors in Legal studies.

 

[CushyCouture]

With the current collaspe of the legal field and overall inadequate job market for new attorneys, I'm considering taking a different path than law school if I continue my education.

What do those here at SF believe is the best field of study to undertake nowadays when going to graduate school?

What would offer the best chance for an above average salary and long-term advancement; even if one had to begin at the bottom of the career ladder?

I'm 28 years old with a Bachelors in Legal studies.

 

[bamahabir]

If law is your thing could always go the phd/jd route and go into academia. Or you could do jd/mba and go into business.

 

[Mark it 8]



If law is your thing could always go the phd/jd route and go into academia. Or you could do jd/mba and go into business.

I would seriously advise against the JD/MBA. I have quite a few acquaintances who have the degree and it seems to really confuse potential employers. The MBA portion is truncated, so businesses don't seem to have as much respect for the MBA, and law firms understandably suspect candidates are not committed to law. I'm sure there are success stories out there, but I haven't heard them. With the added pressures of the current market, the additional debt, and the additional year, I really dont see it as a value add. Just one perspective, though, so ymmv.

 

[bamahabir]

I've actually heard similar things from the guys over at the forums from top law school. com regarding not being committed to law with the joint degree.

But it really just depends on the reasons the guy has for wanting a joint degree in the first place, and that particular firm he would be applying to. Could always go into patent law with that though if its your fancy.

Take this with a grain of salt though, its mostly word of mouth from what I've read at those forums.

 

[nerdykarim]

A few more data points: I have a JD/MBA from a decent state school. I graduated within the last 3 years. I didn't get any biglaw offers (my law grades weren't great) and tried to go into consulting, where I made it pretty far along in the process at some good firms but didn't get any offers. I'm currently pursuing a PhD in information systems and am going down the academic path. I had a liberal arts undergrad and thought that my MBA was worth every penny.

There were two other JD/MBAs in my class. One of them is working as an associate in the M&A practice at biglaw and the other is doing transactional work for a regional firm. Both are doing pretty well for themselves.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions that you think I can help with.