Should I make this career transition?

[melvfe]

Hi everyone!

I’m a final-year university student majoring in law. I picked law when I came into university because I thought that it’d fit my love for writing. Over time, although I realized that law was good for me because of several other reasons along the way, no company in this field wants to hire me based on blind application. Even referrals aren’t working. I’ve two disabilities (I have a walking and hearing impairment), but no company has told me that they’ve any difficulties with my disabilities. Some say that I’m not the right fit for the firm, amongst a list of other reasons. Even my professors in this school tell me to take up the lowest-grade career in law. I’m trying my best academically (my grades are average, not too bad thankfully) and going for more internships than other students to build on my practical knowledge, but I feel that no one appreciates my diligence and perseverance and resilience despite having two disabilities.

So here’s the question - Should I give up pursuing my career in law, or should I do something else?

I prayed to Saint Therese of Lisieux, Saint Joseph, Our Lady, St Catherine of Genoa, and to Our Lord two weeks ago and after my prayers one night, I got a revelation to pursue a career in Y (I wish not to disclose). I’ve been building up my portfolio in Y even before going into university, but never seriously considered taking a major in Y. So, I decided to apply for a job or an internship last week on my own without any referral (I was referred by someone to the companies when I applied for my legal internships), and within less than a week, I secured an internship offer!

I’m feeling so scared, because I don’t know whether I’m doing the right thing or not. Half of me refuses to give up on pursuing a career in law because I hope that if I try one more time, I’ll get it (although the other half of me knows that I’ve already applied to at least 3 companies in the past few weeks and none has gotten back to me). The other half of me wants to take the risk and go into Y. But what if I fail in Y as well for whatever reason? Where’s God leading me towards?

I’m torn. Anyone here who can advise me on whether God’s leading me the right way, or just my desire to escape from challenges that’s leading me instead?

 

[1ke]

Don’t stick with law just to make a point or prove you can. Stick with law because you LOVE it. Or don’t, if you don’t LOVE it.

If you love to do Y, then try it out. Do what you love, if the opportunity has presented itself that easily it sounds like it will be a successful internship. Plus, it’s just an internship, that isn’t forever either. And it will give you a good idea if you should pursue Y further.

The worst that happens is you don’t succeed in Y, and you go back to your studies. You are YOUNG. Time is on your side. The time to be bold and try things is now, before you have a mortgage, a spouse, kids, and other responsibilities. Oh how many of us older folks wish we had taken the risk when we were young and unencumbered, but didn’t.

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

What country are you in? There are a lot of lawyers here who might be able to help, but most of us are from the US and I get the feeling you’re not.

 

[melvfe]

Thank you so much for your wise advice!

Yes I’m young, but I think I’ve made too many mistakes along the way and some are irreversible - like bad grades. I don’t want to make another bad decision again at least for the next few years. But yes, I’ll be bold and take the risk once I figure out that (i) it’s God’s will for me and (ii) it’s a calculated risk.

I am going to be interviewed this weekend for my internship, please pray for me!

 

[melvfe]

I’m not in the US, you’re right. My country doesn’t have a statute like the US ADA.

 

[Lucy_1]

What’s tuition like where you are? If you’re going to incur a lot of debt switching to another major, that’s something to consider. If that’s not an issue, I would say to pursue the second choice, since it’s something you seem to have some prior experience in and know you’ll like.

 

[melvfe]

Umm I’m in my final year, so there’s only 1 more semester left to go. Don’t think the university will allow me to switch major I guess at this advanced point in time?

 

[AlNg]

I think you should decide which branch of law you are going to specialize in. i know some lawyers who have difficulty finding jobs in their area of specialization because there are too many lawyers already.

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

I’m not in the US, you’re right. My country doesn’t have a statute like the US ADA.

I didn’t mean to give you legal advice. I meant people who might be able to give you career advice. Unfortunately, I’m only really familiar with the legal job market in the US.