Accept/decline LLB?

M

Ms_S

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2012
Messages
413
Reaction score
0
Location
Limpopo
I applied half heartedly for the 3 year post grad LLB program at UCT. Because I didn't think that they would even consider my application, I didn't tell my husband, or anyone else.

But now they emailed me to say that I have been accepted.

I phoned my husband, and he had no clue what I was talking about. It took me ages to explain because I was also very excited.

But now I'm sitting here, and I think I will have to decline the offer.

I'm a physiotherapist at a government hospital, I am very comfortable with my job. But I also have no job satisfaction. I'm literally bored out of my mind.

On the other hand, the negatives of giving up my job is endless. Besides giving up my salary and not being able to afford tuition, I will have to move away from my husband, with a 10 month old baby.

Studying part time is also not an option for me. I learn best in a classroom setting.

My husband said if it was a MBCHB, he would tell me to go for it. But because it is a LLB, he is very meh about it.

What to do? How much do lawyers really earn? My husband said we can sit down and discuss it tonight, but I'm sure he already has his mind made up!
 
Leave it. You asked all the wrong questions and you are definitely not cut out to be a lawyer.

It's not Ally Mcbeal or L.A. Law or whatever Series on tv, it's a cut throat business with long hours, tears and pain and a lot of hard work. Your family will always be last.

I work for them, so I know them. They say it themselves. If they had to choose, they would have chosen another career. So rather stick to what you know.

Lastly. If money is your motivation to start any career. Then rather be a mother.
 
Lawyers can earn good money, or very average money.. pretty much like any professional.

Also, the changing of careers is a big move.... are you sure you would be happy being a lawyer, all the documentation etc etc etc.
 
You started off the thread with a half-hearted application for a LLB - thats already a bad start I would think. Having worked for a law firm i can attest to the long hours, mountains of documentation, lack of a social life, and everything else that goes with it. Had you been passionate, I mean absolutely determined and passionate, about changing what you do to pursue something new - i guess it would be a more clear cut choice.

Just my opinion though ;)
 
ToxicBunny said:
Lawyers can earn good money, or very average money.. pretty much like any professional.

Also, the changing of careers is a big move.... are you sure you would be happy being a lawyer, all the documentation etc etc etc.
Click to expand...

This.

And, are you willing to, excuse my bluntness, to go balls to the wall for the next three years? I'm assuming you already have your BCom Law or LLB, seeing as this is post grad, so you know what level of intensity is required.
 
Ms_S said:
What to do? How much do lawyers really earn? My husband said we can sit down and discuss it tonight, but I'm sure he already has his mind made up!
Click to expand...

How long is a piece of string? I earn really well for my age, but it comes at a cost. I would not be able to do it with a newborn baby. If you are doing it for the money, you -will- burnout. That's the reason why friend who works with me has burnt out 3 times this year so far - the passion is lacking.

It also depends on what law you find interesting. There is not much money to be made in family law etc - that's why the big firms specialise in commercial M&A / commercial litigation.

I am siding with your husband, an MBCHB would further you in the career you already have experience in.
 
|tera| said:
Leave it. You asked all the wrong questions and you are definitely not cut out to be a lawyer.

It's not Ally Mcbeal or L.A. Law or whatever Series on tv, it's a cut throat business with long hours, tears and pain and a lot of hard work. Your family will always be last.

I work for them, so I know them. They say it themselves. If they had to choose, they would have chosen another career. So rather stick to what you know.

Lastly. If money is your motivation to start any career. Then rather be a mother.
Click to expand...

I understand it won't be like it is on TV. I have yet to see a series that portrays a profession in its true light.

The question about money is so that I can compare it to what I'm earning now. I've looked at vacancies to try to get an idea, but the numbers I've seen is really low.

I will always be a mother, whether I have a job or not.
 
Ms_S said:
I understand it won't be like it is on TV. I have yet to see a series that portrays a profession in its true light.

The question about money is so that I can compare it to what I'm earning now. I've looked at vacancies to try to get an idea, but the numbers I've seen is really low.

I will always be a mother, whether I have a job or not.
Click to expand...

Cool beans. Then it's up to you and your husband Mam :)
 
froot said:
This.

And, are you willing to, excuse my bluntness, to go balls to the wall for the next three years? I'm assuming you already have your BCom Law or LLB, seeing as this is post grad, so you know what level of intensity is required.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I have a BSc qualification, and with an undergrad, I qualify to enter the 3 year LLB program.

Thanks for all the opinions, I think I will feel less bad when my husband give his verdict. He ultimately has the final say, and I wouldn't want to get into an argument about it with him.
 
Ms_S said:
Sorry, I should have been more clear. I have a BSc qualification, and with an undergrad, I qualify to enter the 3 year LLB program.

Thanks for all the opinions, I think I will feel less bad when my husband give his verdict. He ultimately has the final say, and I wouldn't want to get into an argument about it with him.
Click to expand...

Ah.
My sister has her LLB and a postgrad. It's studying like there's no tomorrow.
 
Ms_S said:
Sorry, I should have been more clear. I have a BSc qualification, and with an undergrad, I qualify to enter the 3 year LLB program.

Thanks for all the opinions, I think I will feel less bad when my husband give his verdict. He ultimately has the final say, and I wouldn't want to get into an argument about it with him.
Click to expand...

Why does he have the final say, surely its a joint mutual decision?

Though a job is a job, almost anything would be better than working at a government hospital, I'm sure you hate your life at the moment.

There are so many issues here against you, one is moving away from your husband, two is tuition fees and 3 is your baby - these all count against you unless you are able to find viable solutions, I don't see how you will be able to juggle it all together.

Damn shame, congrats on being accepted.
 
My friend did his Bcom/LLB for 5 years and completed 1 masters and is busy doing a second.
He earned roughly R6000 for his articles and now earns roughly R16000 - he does however have the potential to earn a lot in the future.
 
I have been a practicing Attorney for 18 years. If I had a time machine I would go back and smack myself for thinking about studying LAW.
 
10 month old baba at home, enough said.All the best in your decision.
 
With a B.Sc under the belt an LLb can get you into the patent attorneys line wich can be very profitable. However it is not for everyone. Why not do an M.Sc. rather?
 
Just a question from the side..... why law?

If you're already in the medical field and your existing qualification is in that field then why not 'branch out' in the same field and or another specialization in a similar or related field. Surely you will be able to add more 'value' to your existing qualification and experience and by doing so to maybe enter the private sector or at the very least make yourself 'more employable' in another medical or similar field.

Excuse my ignorance if I missed something.
 
Ms_S said:
I understand it won't be like it is on TV. I have yet to see a series that portrays a profession in its true light.

The question about money is so that I can compare it to what I'm earning now. I've looked at vacancies to try to get an idea, but the numbers I've seen is really low.

I will always be a mother, whether I have a job or not.
Click to expand...

Brother has an LLB + BCom law + Associate thingy.. guess what, he is sitting at home doing part time stuff. The problem with Law, Eng in particular is that unless you secure your entry position, in this case to get articles, you basically sit at home doing nothing. Now he is considering Masters but then already people have said this leads industry to consider you an academic.

Another factor to consider is that starting salary is really low until articles are complete(1-3 yrs). I've been in Jhb now for almost 2 years and most of the people studying through unisa that i've met seem to be doing llb :-o so.. to me it seems like medicine length with low start, climbing very nicely after 5-7yrs. but yah getting that articles post is a mission due to number of applicants
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X