I'm going through a career choice problem and I know it is utterly ridiculous that I seem to not be able to make this decision myself.

Caveat: I am not normally this indecisive/insecure. Because this is online I feel I have a little more anonymity.

CONS of Law:
I am worried about the debt, I am worried about a possible lack of motivation, the annoying law student types, not being in the top 25% of my class and not being able to secure a job... not to mention long hours... and lots of proofing/drafting.
PROS of Law:
I can do it. There's advancement/possible money and prestige. I can help people through public interest. Could be exciting and a chance to start a new life.

I also fear regret of not living up to my potential. BUT!!
$150,000+ debt = $30,000-$60,000 a year starting? Worth it?. paying it off for 25 years?



I also applied to try to be a Speech Pathologist
Reapplied to take prereqs for a year then will apply to a 2 year masters program
Cons of an SLP:
No "advancement", no big social justice picture, all women?
Pros of an SLP:
If you don't like working or get bored in your environment you can always change(ex, school, hospital, nursing home, outpatient), Helps people with their problems and will see actual growth, eventually, makes $47,000-$113,000 depending on how much you contract median was around $66,000-$84,000.

My debt $36K-$60K at most.


I know I have to ask myself what I want to do, but can anyone help me please? I've racked my brain about these choices for the past 2 months. I come from working in a non-profit so I really do like that big picture systemic change POSSIBLE aspect of law... but Speech therapy is a sure thing, and you can leave your work at work...

Anyone go through these career paths before, please help.

I've spent my life making career choices and moves. If you're a smart cookie, that's what you do. :)

Lawyers are a dime a dozen right now. New grads are flipping burgers at fast-food joints.

I'd go for the speech pathologist. As you mentioned, there are a lot of other ways to use it than just the "normal" one. There are even legal applications and uses for speech pathology.

There's a book, Occupational Outlook Handbook, put out by the federal government every two years. Here's the online version. The library and bookstores have the print copy. Look up speech pathologist.

A-Z Index : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Sorry, if you don't like a field, no matter how much money you make you won't be happy, So if being a welder ( no college and some will make very high money) is for you, then do it.

Lawyer, you will not be making big money and doing social justice. Your social justice may be getting a person you know is a child molester off because the police failed in chain of custody. Or you may be representing a husband who beat his wife and have to show the wife bad to get the abuser off.
Or perhaps you will be doing contract law for a large company, taking the home away from a 80 year old couple, because the corporatoin needs it for a expansion.

It is a job, you represent your client no matter what, you have to do your best to get them off, their guilt or innocence is not your issue.

Pathologist, perhaps being sued by a parent if they don't see the results they felt should be. Losing a contract since you are not requiring or up billing for additional services.

There is no perfect job, the issue is what do you want out of it