You may be considering a change of career if you’re reading this. You’re not the first, and you wont be the last. You are not alone if your legal job has left you feeling stressed and with no time to yourself.
Many people look for alternative careers as the stress and pressure of working in the legal field becomes overwhelming or when the lack of family life begins to affect them. In a report by the Singapore Law Society on a study of foreign lawyers, 54% were likely to quit the profession before 2027. It is the hope of a better work environment and an improved mental health that drives them into the legal industry.
Planning your divorce from the law
It is not easy to leave a career in which you have spent years studying and working hard in order to achieve success. Even the most confident people can be frightened by the thought that leaving what they know will lead to failure or disappointment.
Accept that your budget may change – Many people struggle to find jobs with the same financial benefits of working in the legal field. Accept that your salary may be affected, but consider whether the reasons you want to change jobs are worth it. It may be helpful to learn new ways to stretch your money further, but you might also find something that you enjoy and can still afford. It’s not a bad thing to cook at home and go out less. This will help you achieve the work-life balance that we all desire.
Take the time to review. Many people travel because they have no time to properly do it in a busy job, with clients constantly pestering them and deadlines hanging over their heads. Many people get a better idea of what they would like to do next after seeing the world. It may seem difficult to find something new that you are passionate about, but the only way to discover is by trying. Spend some time deciding what you would like to do and get ready to start from the beginning. You can finally take that vacation you’ve been delaying and forget about meetings, regulations and bosses.
List your keywords. Think about the traits you like in your current position and whether you would want them to be present in your next job. These are good tips for job hunting and deciding what field you would like to enter. You should continue reading if you find it difficult to find something that you enjoy about your job.
How will your life be after you have completed the law?
Lawyers are anything they want to be – proof
Here are some people who were in your shoes and needed to make a change. If you allow it, the most random passion that you have can become your next full-time career. For example, if juggling is what you enjoy, you could go to the stage. Or if reading is something you love, you might start talking to strangers on social media about it.
Teaching is a popular career choice, whether it’s to teach others who are on the same journey as you and show them the ropes of becoming a lawyer or to switch it up and work in a Primary School. It can be a rewarding career, and in some cases even more enjoyable as working with kids is never boring. It is a great way to use your academic skills to help others and be creative. Teaching is a great way to escape the toxic corporate life, despite its stress.
The Legal Nomad Blog interviewed Alvin Starkman, who transformed his life following 18 years of working in the legal field. His days are spent teaching others about mezcal culture, agave and fermented prehispanic beverages like pulque, as well as their producers. Starkman’s new life is much more fulfilling and rewarding after working as a family lawyer litigator. Starkman has found the happiness he was looking for by finding a home in the mountains and discovering his passion. Starkman’s decision to leave the legal field has had a positive effect on his life. It is an example of how leaving your career can lead to a lifestyle you will not regret.
After pursuing a legal career, returning to your passion is not a step backwards. It’s about realizing what you like. The Legal Nomad blog has also taken a look at Andrew ComriePicard’s career change. After a few years working in the legal field, he gave up the shirt and tie to pursue his passion for motorsport full-time. Andrew Comrie-Picard has won numerous races, has his own show on Discovery Channel called, “Car Saviours”, and worked as a Stunt Coordinator on Top Gear USA. He has also been a stunt driver in films and television shows. Andrew did not want to represent thrill-seekers and performers, but he preferred to enjoy the ride.
You could be one of the many people who have changed careers. Have you ever considered becoming a baker or a chef? Many lawyers would prefer to pick up a hammer than a gavel. Gesine Bullock Prado, a former lawyer and food blogger, was able to achieve great success by starting a blog. Gesine Bullock-Prado has been featured on cooking shows, and she hosts baking classes for people who want to learn this skill. Gesine’s blog shows that she is very happy in her new career.
You can be one of the fortunate ones who turns a hobby into a career. Rob Freidman began to tweet about Baseball, and it became more than just a hobby. Freidman is now a pitching expert for multiple TV networks, including MLB channels. Freidman began his baseball career as a lawyer, and he began coaching his son’s teams. It is never too late to do something you love.
Everyone has a different definition of success. It is important to consider what you define as successful before starting a new chapter. What is success to you? What about the pieces of art you can create? How many people can you help?
You can have the same success as those who were mentioned above if you take your first step.
Let us know what your dream life after law looks like, no matter how out of the box it may be, at [email protected]