Attention potential law school students

[tunlrat]

I came across this interesting thread at the "other" forum. It concerns me because I'm considering getting my JD to further "enhance" my resume. Any other law school students/grads have an opinion on this?

#43 04-12-2004, 17:10
outofpatience
Cadet
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Maryland
Posts: 60

An original tale

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I too was a go-to-law school for S/A job idiot, & three years later, I'm still trying. But I just HAVE to share my panel interview experience @ DSS.

I went before two older agents in DC & was asked about my education. The 1st asked, "So, I see you got a J.D. from Syracuse, what does that stand for?". Informing the nice man what it was, the 2nd nice man asked how a law degree could benefit me in that position.

Fair enough.

The 1st nice man then crystillized into an idiot when he asked, "So, is that a graduate degree of some sort?" No sooner could I say the word doctorate (remembering to close my mouth when finished), the 2nd man too hardened into a ball of stupidity when he said "Oh, it's like a masters degree!"

Politely correcting him, the 1st then responded w/, "And how many years did that take to earn?" And it went on from there. Needless to say, talking about Moot Court would have been a moot point.

Basically, my law degree, bar membership, etc was worthless for that job app, and probably isn't worth much more elsewhere.

The rest of you probably just didn't realize HOW worthless.
__________________
4/01 - Applied to DEA; 1/02 - Panel; 2/02 - Med; 8/02 - PTT; 10/02 Poly; 9/03 - psych; 7/03-Present = BI HELL

[sideshow]

I had considered law school for several reasons ... and enhancing my LE apps when I get out of the military was one of those reasons. That said, IMO this is the most important thing to take away from that thread:

I don't understand why anyone would seek a specific discipline in the hopes of landing a position in FLE. I have a Chemical Engineering degree, but I did not choose it because it was a critical skill. I chose Engineering, because I love the work. I have always had LE in the back of my mind, but I would have chosen an easier 4 yr degree if that was my intention. Don't go into Law School unless your goal is to have a career in it. That's my 2 cents.

[Group9]

I applied and was hired as a Special Agent in two different agencies. In both of them, my primary qualification was my J.D. A law degree can give you an edge up after you have been hired as well. I am the fastest search warrant drafter in my office!

[cecilVA]

Don't get a JD (or any other degree) just to fill up your resume. IMO, a law degree could never hurt you but it wouldn't necessarily be the silver bullet to get a job. Also depends on where you might be applying. JDs are a dime a dozen in the FBI applicant pool but a JD applying for a medium sized city PD might be more rare.

[GrayPatriot]

The FBI only recently reinstated having a JD as being a critical skill. On another forum board they discussed law degrees and the FBI. Apparently the majority of those who possessed a JD overwhelmingly said it was almost worthless in the process. This may have changed as it is now again a critical skill. I decided against law school and went to graduate school for IT; I guess I picked a real winner there! I believe if you spoke fluent Farsi or Arabic you would be a more ideal candiate in any department. Did I just ramble or what? :D

[Jynkxxie]

I plan on getting my law degree...I am sure that it won't be worthless...I can't be a judge until I get one.

[GrayPatriot]

Yes your Honor! Hmmm wait a second though... John Salley was a Judge on this Miss American Pageant and he was an NBA star. Law school my ***, I am off to play some basketball... :p

You did mean Judical process type Judge not an expert in the subject matter type of Judge!?

I plan on getting my law degree...I am sure that it won't be worthless...I can't be a judge until I get one.

[Jynkxxie]

Yes your Honor! Hmmm wait a second though... John Salley was a Judge on this Miss American Pageant and he was an NBA star. Law school my ***, I am off to play some basketball...

You did mean Judical process type Judge not an expert in the subject matter type of Judge!?

What? :confused: :p


You have to be lawyer for three years before you can even think about becoming a judge. At least that is what I was told.

Oh nevermind...You were making a funny...I get it now.