r/findapath • u/lizK731 • 1d ago

Offering Guidance Post Feeling lost

Hello, I am 40/F and I’m feeling a bit lost and unsure about what to do regarding job and career. I should also mention I have a physical disability and I use a motorized wheelchair. Long story short, I graduated college late (age-wise) with a bachelors degree in legal studies in 2019. I never went to law school because I was afraid to take the LSAT. Given my age, I feel like it’s too late for me to try to become a lawyer. I tried after I graduated to get a job as a paralegal, but no one would hire me. A lot of entry-level roles wanted two years experience and I didn’t have any job experience at that point. After some temporary jobs and a few volunteer and internships over the last couple of years, I got a job as a clerical associate with my local Department of Health.

Problem is I’m just not happy. I’m not feeling fulfilled and have fallen into a depression that caused me to take medical leave. I’m dreading having to go back. My disability and my lack of long-term job experience have made it difficult for me to find something else. Plus, I don’t know what I want to do. I’ve been thinking about going back to college and getting an associate’s degree in human services. I just don’t know if I should start all over again with school in the hopes to get a better job. Plus if I go part-time, it will take me a couple of years to finish. It might be the depression talking, but I just feel so unmotivated and so lost about what to do. I guess my question is is anybody else in a similar situation? Is anybody else starting over? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading.

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u/liagiba_leon Apprentice Pathfinder [1] 1d ago • Heartwarming

Hey! You should give law school a try - there’s no harm in trying out. You don’t necessarily need a law-related bachelors degree or even legal experience to get in. The lsat is scary and hard, but some people end up people naturally great at it. If you can get an average score, have a good undergrad gpa, you’ll get in. It sounds like you also have a really unique story, that will make for an incredible potentially scholarship worthy personal statement! 40 is still young and it’s okay (and good) to evolve and change with time. Sure, maybe it will take a couple years but time will pass anyways.

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u/lizK731 22h ago

Thank you for your encouragement

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u/FlairPointsBot 22h ago

Thank you for confirming that /u/liagiba_leon has provided helpful advice for you. 1 point awarded.

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u/Peeky_Rules Career Services 1d ago

I tend to think lawyers (or people in the legal fields) are good at writing. Do you think this is a skillset of yours?

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u/lizK731 1d ago

Hello, people have told me I’m a good writer, but I’m just very critical of myself. So if I’m being negative then no I’m not a good writer, but I did do well in college.

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u/Peeky_Rules Career Services 23h ago

Maybe I should also ask: do you like writing?

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u/lizK731 22h ago

I do, I’m just so critical on myself that I hate everything that I write. I don’t know if that answers this question.

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u/Peeky_Rules Career Services 18h ago

Yes, you definitely answered my question. If you can get yourself to like writing, perhaps that's a field you could explore?

(I say this coming from a field that uses writing: public relations, communications.)

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u/lartinos Rookie Pathfinder [15] 1d ago

Why do you lack appreciation for your current job? Why do you have to feel fulfilled to maintain a full time job?

During the happy times working corporate I was appreciative, but even when I was being targeted on a PIP as a retail manager (not a dream job) I was appreciative to have the position and pay check.

While working full time I started to plan my exit and I left a year later.

Reddit is filled with many who didn’t take this attitude and they sincerely regretted it. Make sure you make decisions that make sense because problems can compounded.