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02lawgrad
Underclassman
1 Posts |
 Posted - 10/13/2003 : 22:58:45
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I graduated from a top 20 law school in 2002, and am ready to give up on law. I considered the joint JD/MBA coming out of college (top 20 as well), but chose to only pursue the JD. Now, I wish I had picked up the MBA, and am considering going back to get one.
One of my concerns is how my time since college will be viewed by potential employers. I worked odd jobs for a year between undergrad and law school, and worked a variety of legal jobs since graduating from law school. My main concern is that I will be unable to obtain summer employment after my first year due to a lack of substantive business experience (as opposed to the countless b-school students who worked at accenture/lehman/goldman/bcg/etc).
Anyone on here a former law person who went the MBA route? Thoughts from those in the know about how law grads do when it comes to mba career options? Oh, in case this helps: 3.6 gpa from the University of Virginia and a 3.0 from Vanderbilt University Law School.
As for what schools I'm considering, I'm pretty much set on UGA for cost reasons...ideally, I would be interested in Duke, UVA, and UNC...but I'm not sure 1) if my credentials are good enough, and 2) if I could afford it. Your input regarding my career prospects as well as admissions potential with my academic background are much appreciated.
Thanks.
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wassup13
Underclassman
1 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2003 : 09:39:08
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My girlfriend did something similar to you. A lot of it is being good at interviewing and networking. Convince them you are qualified. Almost everyone else is doing something different too with their MBAs.
If ifs and buts were candy and nuts we would all have a merry Christmas. |
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cason_clements
Upperclassman
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2003 : 18:35:34
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Dear lawgrad02,
I am not looking at getting an MBA, I'm actually applying to law schools. I was just wondering what you don't like about being a lawyer and I was wondering if you liked Vanderbilt (which I'm thinking of applying to)?
Right now, I'm a high school English teacher and I want to go into juvenile law, education law, special education law, or working as a lawyer for a school district. Do you think there is much of a market for these areas of law?
Thanks--I know I'm in the wrong section. I'm just concerned about racking up $150,000 of debt.
Good luck with the MBA. Not that I know anything, but you sound impressive!
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mwalton
Underclassman
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2003 : 17:47:48
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quote:
Originally posted by 02lawgrad
I graduated from a top 20 law school in 2002, and am ready to give up on law. I considered the joint JD/MBA coming out of college (top 20 as well), but chose to only pursue the JD. Now, I wish I had picked up the MBA, and am considering going back to get one.
One of my concerns is how my time since college will be viewed by potential employers. I worked odd jobs for a year between undergrad and law school, and worked a variety of legal jobs since graduating from law school. My main concern is that I will be unable to obtain summer employment after my first year due to a lack of substantive business experience (as opposed to the countless b-school students who worked at accenture/lehman/goldman/bcg/etc).
Anyone on here a former law person who went the MBA route? Thoughts from those in the know about how law grads do when it comes to mba career options? Oh, in case this helps: 3.6 gpa from the University of Virginia and a 3.0 from Vanderbilt University Law School.
As for what schools I'm considering, I'm pretty much set on UGA for cost reasons...ideally, I would be interested in Duke, UVA, and UNC...but I'm not sure 1) if my credentials are good enough, and 2) if I could afford it. Your input regarding my career prospects as well as admissions potential with my academic background are much appreciated.
Thanks.
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mwalton
Underclassman
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2003 : 17:49:59
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Hello lawgrad!!! I am hoping to attend UGA for my MBA as well. May I ask how you did on your GMAT?
quote:
Originally posted by 02lawgrad
I graduated from a top 20 law school in 2002, and am ready to give up on law. I considered the joint JD/MBA coming out of college (top 20 as well), but chose to only pursue the JD. Now, I wish I had picked up the MBA, and am considering going back to get one.
One of my concerns is how my time since college will be viewed by potential employers. I worked odd jobs for a year between undergrad and law school, and worked a variety of legal jobs since graduating from law school. My main concern is that I will be unable to obtain summer employment after my first year due to a lack of substantive business experience (as opposed to the countless b-school students who worked at accenture/lehman/goldman/bcg/etc).
Anyone on here a former law person who went the MBA route? Thoughts from those in the know about how law grads do when it comes to mba career options? Oh, in case this helps: 3.6 gpa from the University of Virginia and a 3.0 from Vanderbilt University Law School.
As for what schools I'm considering, I'm pretty much set on UGA for cost reasons...ideally, I would be interested in Duke, UVA, and UNC...but I'm not sure 1) if my credentials are good enough, and 2) if I could afford it. Your input regarding my career prospects as well as admissions potential with my academic background are much appreciated.
Thanks.
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benoit_france
Underclassman
France
1 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 12:21:09
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hi,
I contact you since I have the same concern. I am a lawyer in France, working for an american law firm based in nyc. I'm considering applying to an mba.
However, I'm not sure that a lawyer background(even specialized in business law) is going to interest a potential employer. In particular, as you note, it may be difficult to obtain a summer employment due to a lack of substantive business experience.
Did you have any other information since you wrote your message on 10/13/2003?
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hbsalltheway
Underclassman
7 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2003 : 10:57:35
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I get the impression it's more likely for law school grads to regret their decision to attend law school than it is for MBAs to do the same. Maybe it's because they are younger when they decide to go to law school and still don't know what they want to do when they grow up. (Not that any of us really ever learn what we want to do wehn we grow up. No flamers please.)
Thoughts anyone? |
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lawboy
Underclassman
2 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2004 : 10:50:11
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| For anyone reading this string that is curious about law vs. business, let this lawyer weigh in strongly pro-business. I have worked for nearly 8 years in law, both in firms and in-house, and i can tell you that it sucks, for lack of a better word! Law school and the bar exam are a nightmare, and what's your reward? Facing a ridiculously competitive legal job market that is flooded with very bright candidates who went to good law schools. Once you get your legal job, you can look forward to horrible boss personalities, no mentoring, and little responsibility. I'm not just writing this from my own experience -- I know few of my law school classmates that are happy with their experience in the legal profession. For anyone deciding between law and business school, by all means do yourself a favor and go to business school. You can make far more money in business, if that's your goal. Oh and by the way, I went to a top 25 law school and I just got admitted to the number 1 business school, so I'm putting my money where my mouth is. Good luck to 02lawgrad and everyone else! |
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mbagrad
Underclassman
1 Posts |
Posted - 02/21/2004 : 21:49:59
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Mmmm...the grass is always greener on the other side. I graduated with an MBA a number of years ago and have worked in Financial Services for the last decade. Despite the pay -- which was very good in the late 1990's as well as early 00's -- I have recently decided to pursue a law degree. The program I am pursuing is the U of London external program --which for cost purposes and flexibility purposes fits well with my schedule. My belief is that this will serve as a valuable supplement to my MBA education (even if I do not end up practicing law). So far, I have found the program informative and useful. Bottom line -- all education is good and useful. It is not absolutely necessary to spend an untold fortune on an education -- there are MBA program as well as law programs out there that are very good and with motivation and perserverance are very doable. (Frankly, I would rather put $150 000 towards my mortgage than spend it on an intangible asset -- but that's just me).
Just my thoughts -- MBA grad.
quote:
Originally posted by 02lawgrad
I graduated from a top 20 law school in 2002, and am ready to give up on law. I considered the joint JD/MBA coming out of college (top 20 as well), but chose to only pursue the JD. Now, I wish I had picked up the MBA, and am considering going back to get one.
One of my concerns is how my time since college will be viewed by potential employers. I worked odd jobs for a year between undergrad and law school, and worked a variety of legal jobs since graduating from law school. My main concern is that I will be unable to obtain summer employment after my first year due to a lack of substantive business experience (as opposed to the countless b-school students who worked at accenture/lehman/goldman/bcg/etc).
Anyone on here a former law person who went the MBA route? Thoughts from those in the know about how law grads do when it comes to mba career options? Oh, in case this helps: 3.6 gpa from the University of Virginia and a 3.0 from Vanderbilt University Law School.
As for what schools I'm considering, I'm pretty much set on UGA for cost reasons...ideally, I would be interested in Duke, UVA, and UNC...but I'm not sure 1) if my credentials are good enough, and 2) if I could afford it. Your input regarding my career prospects as well as admissions potential with my academic background are much appreciated.
Thanks.
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apara
Underclassman
1 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2004 : 18:12:47
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hey
i am a law grad 2. and want to apply for an MBA. but the thing is that I want to stick to law. i just want the MBA to understand a bit about finance and that sort of thing to help me with commercial law. any body with any advice or experience?
personally, i feel it helps. especially if you want to go into business law.
what say u guys? |
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Chris3141
Underclassman
Afghanistan
2 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2005 : 12:49:25
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Lawboy's account below is not uncommon in the legal profession. But a competitive atmosphere and long hours are part of the game in every profession. With all due respect to Lawboy, it is just silly to pretend that either operates in "alien juxtaposition". Both law and business have their place, neither works without the other.
Law school teaches you the rules of the game in painstaking detail, albeit from an ivory tower. Such detail is not always appreciated in a business transaction though. Business is practical, it's about getting to a goal and digging through the mud to get there if need be. I'm not even pretending to suggest cutting ethical corners, but spending an hour at a negotiation aguing about comma placement doesn't usually advance business interests.
Note that there are other ways to learn business and law than school. With some courage and some elbow grease the right non-profit will give you experience in both. And while you might not get paid much, it's better than loans...
Point is: Learn the theory, learn the practice, you'll be best off. Good Luck.
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chanda
Underclassman
India
1 Posts |
Posted - 02/20/2005 : 06:40:20
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hi.
jst came across your msg. i am a lawyer practising in india and now want to do my mba. u appear to have similar concerns as me,and mst have moved ahead since 2003 october. wud u have insights to share?
chanda
quote:
Originally posted by 02lawgrad
I graduated from a top 20 law school in 2002, and am ready to give up on law. I considered the joint JD/MBA coming out of college (top 20 as well), but chose to only pursue the JD. Now, I wish I had picked up the MBA, and am considering going back to get one.
One of my concerns is how my time since college will be viewed by potential employers. I worked odd jobs for a year between undergrad and law school, and worked a variety of legal jobs since graduating from law school. My main concern is that I will be unable to obtain summer employment after my first year due to a lack of substantive business experience (as opposed to the countless b-school students who worked at accenture/lehman/goldman/bcg/etc).
Anyone on here a former law person who went the MBA route? Thoughts from those in the know about how law grads do when it comes to mba career options? Oh, in case this helps: 3.6 gpa from the University of Virginia and a 3.0 from Vanderbilt University Law School.
As for what schools I'm considering, I'm pretty much set on UGA for cost reasons...ideally, I would be interested in Duke, UVA, and UNC...but I'm not sure 1) if my credentials are good enough, and 2) if I could afford it. Your input regarding my career prospects as well as admissions potential with my academic background are much appreciated.
Thanks.
chanda |
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Violet
Underclassman
3 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2005 : 16:32:42
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Maybe I can shed some light. I'm an attorney who graduated from a top law school. I was very successful in marketing for a few years after undergrad, and now I'm getting my MBA from a top B-school.
Not to be too discouraging, but I'm still having a heck of a time getting the right employers' attention... even with both degrees.
Business employers generally do NOT see the value of a J.D., as astonishing as that may seem to business attorneys (like me).
You really have to educate them on what value you can bring to the table... and no matter how good a job you do at communicating, they only "get it" half of the time.
There is no significant generic "prestige" in a law degree that will make a business employer hire you (unless they are a moron).
Business people generally don't instinctively know what to do with J.D.'s, and that leads to more cumbersome interviews.
In the back of their minds, they think you "really" would rather be an attorney, or that you can't make up your mind about what you really want... no matter how you try to spin it.
If I had to pick between either an MBA and a JD, it's a no-brainer... get an MBA if you want to work in business, and a JD if you are sure... absolutely, positively sure... you want to be an attorney.
If you don't know which you'd prefer, get the MBA!
The point is, you're probably looking at costs of $60,000+ (and 1-2 years) to be an MBA, and $120,000+ (and 3 years of hell) to be an attorney. To justify this, you need to make about $70K - $120K right out of either school. You make that salary with either degree (and some experience), so you may as well pick the degree that's cheaper, easier, and faster to get. |
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Violet
Underclassman
3 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2005 : 16:47:48
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What I'm trying to say is... do NOT get both a JD and an MBA (like I am) unless you just need framed diplomas to boost your ego.
It's an expensive lesson I've learned the hard way, and both degrees won't result in rewards that merit their costs and personal investment. |
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K-Dawg
Underclassman
2 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2005 : 10:51:08
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Violet,
How receptive were MBA admissions boards to your application? I am considering applying to the top-5 MBA programs but I'd like to know if a stigma attaches to me because I'm an attorney applicant. I feel my application would be very competitive based on academics, experience, extracurriculars and various "wow" factors, but I'm wondering if there's a presumption of dissatisfaction that I would have to rebut to get admission at one of these schools. Any thoughts/insights are appreciated.
quote:
Originally posted by Violet
What I'm trying to say is... do NOT get both a JD and an MBA (like I am) unless you just need framed diplomas to boost your ego.
It's an expensive lesson I've learned the hard way, and both degrees won't result in rewards that merit their costs and personal investment.
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Violet
Underclassman
3 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2005 : 14:49:36
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K-Dawg,
I did find that my legal background helped my MBA application. No problem there. They liked the fact that I brought a relatively unique set of skills to the school community. I'd definitely put that in your resume and application with pride. |
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MBA after law school
