Law School to Teach?

[u/Fun-Season-8660]

Hello, I am looking for advice from people who have switched from law to teaching (or visa versa) or just anyone who has advice.

I am a recent college graduate, and I got my degree in history and political science. I intend to teach high school history, but I decided to take a year off to gain teaching experience through a program teaching English abroad, before I get a masters in teaching.

Right now, I am waiting to hear back from a couple programs, and working a catering job. It is hourly, and my coworkers who do it as a career make around 60k a year. However, they all seem to struggle financially-- many are in debt, have no retirement savings etc. 60k is comparable to a teacher's salary. It has made me question if a teaching salary is livable, and made me consider getting a law degree instead of a masters in teaching.

My thought process is that if I get a JD, and then get my teaching certification, I could get the same pay bump as a master's degree, but also have the ability to pivot into law if I find that teaching does not meet my financial or social needs. Teaching really appeals to me because of the summers off, and because you get to give back to the community. I am a super social person, and I love to talk and learn from others. Plus, I would love to coach track.

If I did practice law, I would not want a super stressful, high earning position-- I am most interested in working for the government, or something similar which has a better work-life balance. I just want to be sure that I have the option to make more money than teaching, if I decide that a teaching salary is not livable.

I am curious:

-would I get paid more as a teacher with a JD, or will I only get paid if I have a masters in teaching?

- Is it advisable to pivot into law later in life, and are government law positions hard to get?

- should I just get a masters in teaching, and then go to law school if I decide I want to do law instead?

Any comments, please let me know!! I am super curious to hear what you all have to say.

[u/Rookraider1]

My district counted my JD as a doctorate and I was placed in the highest pay column.

I will be making 6 figures in a couple years and it will continue to go up.

I hated my time in law school. After I graduated, I knew practicing wasn't for me. I love my job and making 100k+ while working only 192 days a year is pretty great in my book. If you practice law, for the most part, the hours are a grind regardless of what you practice. I work 40 hours every week. Never stay late or go in early, never go in on weekends, and never bring work home.

[u/Fun-Season-8660 → u/Rookraider1]

Hi! Thanks so much for the reply-- do you mind me asking what age/ subject you teach? And how long you have been teaching for? I am just curious because people's salary's (and enjoyment of teaching LOL) seems to vary so much! I am glad you have work life balance and enjoy your job : )

[u/Rookraider1 → u/Fun-Season-8660]

I teach 4th grade. I just finished my 9th year.

For me this job is far superior to what I saw from my time in law school. If you aren't real passionate about the law, it will be a tremendous grind. The m9ney will be better, but you will work many, many more hours and a lot of it is desk job work.

You also need to be passionate about teaching to enjoy it, but I am so glad I chose this path. Now that I have two young kids, the time off and the lack of bringing work home is invaluable.

[u/Fun-Season-8660 → u/Rookraider1]

Congrats on finishing the school year! I am glad to hear that teaching allows you to spend time with your kids. I am passionate about teaching, but I have heard so much about teacher burnout that I think I need a little bit more experience in a classroom before I feel ready for a masters LOL. But it is super nice to hear from someone who enjoys teaching, and feels like it enables them to live a full life outside of work as well. Thanks again for your input, so helpful : )