I agree that lawyers have generally had considerable ease in switching positions as their legal interests and family goals change over time. However, I think that this has created a few drawbacks in the way that law students select their careers. First, students often choose to work for large law firms believing that they will do so for a few years to pay back loans and then switch paths later. Often this means sacrificing their temporary happiness for the salaries. Other times it entails entering into a market that one does not actually leave because the individuals grow accustomed to the lavish lifestyle. Second, this prevents individuals from truly thinking about their career goals since they believe that they can always switch paths later if they are unsatisfied. Third, this assumption depends on a market where high-paid, well-educated laywers are in high demand. Recent months indicate that this may no longer be the case.

-- LaurenRosenberg - 24 Mar 2009