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Started By
Message
career during the day, law school at night
Posted on 9/27/13 at 4:09 pm
Posted on 9/27/13 at 4:09 pm
I am graduating in the spring with a CM degree, but I am interested in getting a law degree as well. With the Louisiana industrial construction industry booming right now I know that I can't afford to miss the boat by going straight into law school without a career (not like I could afford it anyway).
Does anyone have any experience with being in law school while working full time? I am very interested in being a lawyer as well as having a career in construction and just wanted to get the money talk's perspective.
Also, for anyone that did that, how long did it take them to finish their law degree?
Does anyone have any experience with being in law school while working full time? I am very interested in being a lawyer as well as having a career in construction and just wanted to get the money talk's perspective.
Also, for anyone that did that, how long did it take them to finish their law degree?
7
Posted on 9/27/13 at 4:44 pm to kingbob
I did it. Graduated SULC's evening division in 2011. Only SULC and Loyola have the night school option. Loyola costs about 4x as much, so there's that. The program takes 4 years rather than 3, and there are summer school classes that can shorten it to 3.5 years.
If you can do it without taking out loans and keep a good job, I say go. I had a shitty college student type job where I worked 45 hours/week - the only thing it paid for was my living expenses. I was more of a student who had a job rather than a valuable employee who also had a strenuous course load after work. Some of my classmates were cops, doctors, paralegals, teachers etc. so it's not impossible to do. The average age of my class upon entering was 40 (I was 22).
That said, my friends with CM degrees make a lot more money than me - and I have a good job. So you'll probably be fine either way.
If you can do it without taking out loans and keep a good job, I say go. I had a shitty college student type job where I worked 45 hours/week - the only thing it paid for was my living expenses. I was more of a student who had a job rather than a valuable employee who also had a strenuous course load after work. Some of my classmates were cops, doctors, paralegals, teachers etc. so it's not impossible to do. The average age of my class upon entering was 40 (I was 22).
That said, my friends with CM degrees make a lot more money than me - and I have a good job. So you'll probably be fine either way.
This post was edited on 9/27/13 at 4:48 pm
Posted on 9/27/13 at 4:48 pm to GaryMyMan
Southern still has a law school?
Posted on 9/27/13 at 4:51 pm to Mr.Perfect
We got books and everything.
Posted on 9/27/13 at 4:56 pm to GaryMyMan
This is exactly the kind of answer I was looking for. Thank you. If I end up employed in the BR area, I will most certainly look into it. As much as I'd love to say I graduated from LSU law school, I just don't think it's in the cards. I can't afford it, I don't want to have to rely partially on my parents for 3 more years, and my career prospects in construction are simply too good, especially, since I just kind of want the law knowledge and capability and don't know if I really want to practice or not.
What kind of law do you practice?
What kind of law do you practice?
This post was edited on 9/27/13 at 4:57 pm
Posted on 9/27/13 at 4:57 pm to kingbob
quote:
law school at night
Why?
Lawyers are broke these days
Posted on 9/27/13 at 5:06 pm to I Love Bama
quote:
Why?
Lawyers are broke these days
I'm not worried about the money. I've already got a degree that should get me a great paying career. The law is something that interests me and something that I want to learn more about. It's a skill I want to learn, like being a better guitar player, being able to play jazz on piano, and being able to cook the perfect steak.
Posted on 9/27/13 at 5:09 pm to kingbob
The most expensive aspect of law school is the three years of missed salary. I wish I had done real estate or insurance or sold cars while in school but I worked for a company that didn't really have a place for me to advance. That's a regret, but it did allow me to study and read while on the clock.
I do oil & gas title now as a landman - something that doesn't require a JD, but in this economy every job opening highly favors those who have one.
I do oil & gas title now as a landman - something that doesn't require a JD, but in this economy every job opening highly favors those who have one.
Posted on 9/27/13 at 6:38 pm to kingbob
Perfect answer. Best of luck to you.
Posted on 9/27/13 at 7:50 pm to kingbob
I'd put law school on the back burner bub. Lots of money to be made in Construction right now. By the way, my project wrapped up earlier than expected so I'm back in BR starting Monday. I'll be looking you up once I make it to campus in the near future
Posted on 9/27/13 at 10:34 pm to braindeadboxer
quote:
I'd put law school on the back burner bub. Lots of money to be made in Construction right now. By the way, my project wrapped up earlier than expected so I'm back in BR starting Monday. I'll be looking you up once I make it to campus in the near future
cool, BR'll be happy to have you back
Posted on 9/27/13 at 10:39 pm to kingbob
A law egret will aid anyone in construction management. Good luck.
Posted on 9/28/13 at 7:15 am to OTIS2
quote:
A law egret
Look similar to this?
Posted on 9/28/13 at 8:56 am to El Josey Wales
I went to Loyola Law School at night while working during the day. It's set up to be able to do that. Not easy getting home at 9 or 10 (depending whether classes start at 6 or 7). Heck we had mothers there with 3 kids doing it.
It's just go to class, take a final exam; write a paper in some classes. Read the cases before class in classes where the professor plays Kingsfield. It's very manageable.
It's just go to class, take a final exam; write a paper in some classes. Read the cases before class in classes where the professor plays Kingsfield. It's very manageable.
This post was edited on 9/28/13 at 8:57 am
Posted on 9/28/13 at 11:09 am to Overbrook
3 Questions: What was your day job and how long did it take you to finish? What are you doing with your law degree now?
Posted on 9/28/13 at 11:44 am to kingbob
Thought about doing part time myself; currently a full time student.
My biggest recommendation would be to choose the school wisely. Loyola and Tulane are just not worth paying sticker unless you know you can finish top 15%. And you can't know that because law grades have a lot of variance.
If I were in your shoes, it would be LSU or bust. Tier 1 and not too expensive. You can finish ~50% in your class and still do well with your current background (and not be in a ton of debt).
My biggest recommendation would be to choose the school wisely. Loyola and Tulane are just not worth paying sticker unless you know you can finish top 15%. And you can't know that because law grades have a lot of variance.
If I were in your shoes, it would be LSU or bust. Tier 1 and not too expensive. You can finish ~50% in your class and still do well with your current background (and not be in a ton of debt).
This post was edited on 9/28/13 at 11:45 am
Posted on 9/28/13 at 12:03 pm to TheOcean
quote:
If I were in your shoes, it would be LSU or bust. Tier 1 and not too expensive. You can finish ~50% in your class and still do well with your current background (and not be in a ton of debt).
Realistically that would cost the OP $200,000. Giving up 3 years of income at a modest rate of $50,000/year plus another $50k for tuition and living expenses. I don't know anyone from PMH who worked more than 20 hours a week - and that was doing clerking. I'm far from an SULC sunshine-pumper but for the OP's goals it doesn't seem like LSU would be the no-brainer decision it is for any traditional student in the state. The guy has a pretty clear idea of the path he wants to go down, and it sounds a hellova lot more reasonable than giving up 3 years of a lucrative career to remain a full time student.
This post was edited on 9/28/13 at 12:04 pm
Posted on 9/28/13 at 12:05 pm to GaryMyMan
LSU doesn't have a PT program? Ignore my advice, then. If I were the OP, I would try to find a FT job in another State.
Not a knock on SULC. It is what it is. You can get a good education at just about any law school, but if I were the OP I would try to get into a better PT school.
Not a knock on SULC. It is what it is. You can get a good education at just about any law school, but if I were the OP I would try to get into a better PT school.
This post was edited on 9/28/13 at 12:08 pm
Posted on 9/28/13 at 12:07 pm to TheOcean
quote:
LSU doesn't have a PT program?
Nope. They're super serious about their students not working 1L year too.
quote:
Not a knock on SULC. It is what it is.
Should be on their t-shirts.
This post was edited on 9/28/13 at 12:08 pm
Posted on 9/28/13 at 12:14 pm to GaryMyMan
I'm not at a highly ranked school either, so I'm not hating on SULC. I wouldn't go to law school if I had to pay sticker at SULC, though. Just my .02
eta: would make an exception if I had a ton of connections
This post was edited on 9/28/13 at 12:15 pm
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