School Daze

[wingnut4772]

Well after 15 years I finally enrolled today at Barry University to finally get my undergraduate degree with the intention of going to Law School (F.I.U). I start in March and it is EXPENSIVE so I am taking collections.:D I can't wait to say goodbye to Law Enforcement...even if it takes another 5 years :p .

[Refefer]

Why are you deciding to return to college? Just want something new? Or are you looking at the gains of it in terms of finances and what you'll be able to do with a degree?

[wingnut4772]

Why are you deciding to return to college? Just want something new? Or are you looking at the gains of it in terms of finances and what you'll be able to do with a degree?

Well...I don't like law enforcement but I do like Law. I think it would be a pretty rewarding and lucrative transition. I have been wanting to do something else for a while but the money I make has kept me here. It's a great amount I make with only a high school diploma ( some college) so I am fixing that and broadening my horizons.

[TroyD]

Good for you!

Sounds like an outstanding plan!

BDT

[wingnut4772]

Good for you!

Sounds like an outstanding plan!

BDT
Yay!:) Thank you

[Refefer]

Agreed. Good luck and I hope it all goes great!

[Polkersince85]

Education is something that can never be taken away from you. Go for it.

[dorokusai]

You might find it easier to pay for all that school if you'd stop and enjoy the gear you own instead of trying to chase the tail of a dragon. Good luck :D

[TroyD]

Does the PD offer tuition reimbursement?

A lot of times, you can go to school with little/no out of pocket other than books.

BDT

[wingnut4772]

You might find it easier to pay for all that school if you'd stop and enjoy the gear you own instead of trying to chase the tail of a dragon. Good luck :D
Oh yes. $390 a credit !:eek: My job pays 1/2 but I am done upgrading for a while. I will have to figure out how to pay for law school in two years or so but I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

[wingnut4772]

Does the PD offer tuition reimbursement?

A lot of times, you can go to school with little/no out of pocket other than books.

BDT


They pay for half and there are some Florida grants available so I may end up paying about $100.00 per credit without books.

[Strong Bad]

Do it girl! Don't let $$$ hold you back. Look at it as an investment in your future.

Back in 2002, I took out a loan for $8500.00 to go to a tech school for all of the Microsoft MCSE stuff. Thats a mere nothing compared to how it's paid off.

Get your college groove on Wingy!

[Mike682]

Like Strong said, the cost of your education will pay for itself and then some

Good luck!

[beardog03]

Go for it..

I may need you to be my lawyer one day..!!!! :cool:




I`m going to try and go to school this year also.....
I`m as far as I`m gonna go in the corprate ladder without a pedagree..

I`m the Senior Buyer, but I still get a Jr. paycheck....:rolleyes:

keep the cuffs though.....:D

[wingnut4772]

Go for it..

I may need you to be my lawyer one day..!!!! :cool:




I`m going to try and go to school this year also.....
I`m as far as I`m gonna go in the corprate ladder without a pedagree..

I`m the Senior Buyer, but I still get a Jr. paycheck....:rolleyes:

keep the cuffs though.....:D
I will..I will just line them with pink fuzzy stuff.:p

[beardog03]

I...I....

um..



:p :D


;) ;) ;) ;) ;)

[Early B.]

Very glad to see you going for it.

Best of luck.

[TennesseeOutlaw]

Wingnut... Good luck with your schooling, and thanks for your public service to this date.. I just hope that I have said nothing incriminating to date:eek:

Best wishes,

Josh

[wingnut4772]

Wingnut... Good luck with your schooling, and thanks for your public service to this date.. I just hope that I have said nothing incriminating to date:eek:

Best wishes,

Josh
Thanks guys and don't worry...what happens in Club Polk stays in Club Polk.:)

[Ricardo]

That's probably one of the best decisions anyone can make; it is never too late to get education and a degree.

And...you'll see that those five years will fly!!!

Good luck, and congrats. :)

[MrNightly]

So what happened to Interior Design? When did you make the switch to Law? I find that very interesting, since we have similar backgrounds... I've always wondered about Law, but never pursued it.

How did you decide which school to attend? Spare some details? :D

[tonyb]

OOOHH NOOOOO!!!
Girls with guns is one thing
Girls with guns AND a law degree.... mans worst nightmare!!

Congrats on the upgrade path,I am personally expecting a "get out of jail free"
card.Best of luck to you!!!:)

[bobman1235]

Aww, c'mon, I was counting on you helpin' me out in case I ever get arrested in Miami..... :D

Good luck!

[Shizelbs]

Congratulations. Good for you for going for more education.

[wingnut4772]

So what happened to Interior Design? When did you make the switch to Law? I find that very interesting, since we have similar backgrounds... I've always wondered about Law, but never pursued it.

How did you decide which school to attend? Spare some details? :D

I figure if I do well I can afford to do interior design on my on enough to satisfy my creative side. I am just trying to stay practical as well. I have tremendous job security now and I want to keep some of that.

I decided on Barry because they give me credit toward my LE cert., academy classes and work experience. That's about 50- credits (ish). Add that to my previous college and I will already have almost 80 credits with only 40 needed to go for my Bachelors.

[Fireman32]

Best of luck. I wish you all of the best. What part of law are you going to study for?

[wingnut4772]

Aww, c'mon, I was counting on you helpin' me out in case I ever get arrested in Miami..... :D

Good luck!
Don't worry. I can still hook you up.;)

[wingnut4772]

Best of luck. I wish you all of the best. What part of law are you going to study for?
Criminal seems to be the obvious choice but I like Civil also. I guess I will choose down the road. This may seem a bit strange but I think I would like to be a criminal defense attorney.

[Early B.]

I decided on Barry because they give me credit toward my LE cert., academy classes and work experience. That's about 50- credits (ish). Add that to my previous college and I will already have almost 80 credits with only 40 needed to go for my Bachelors.

Whoa. Sounds like a great plan. You'll have your bachelor's degree in no time.

Criminal defense attorney? Nah. Too dirty -- you'll be making deals that may 'eff with your conscience.

[wingnut4772]

Whoa. Sounds like a great plan. You'll have your bachelor's degree in no time.

Criminal defense attorney? Nah. Too dirty -- you'll be making deals that may 'eff with your conscience.
True. That may be too much for me when it comes down to the really guilty guys. I have an interest in protecting people against rights violations though for some reason. I guess from seeing it on the job ( not me) and harboring disdain for officers who make bad or illegal arrests. It gives the honest cops a bad rep.

[cfrizz]

WTG Darla! I know you will do just fine.

[Early B.]

True. That may be too much for me when it comes down to the really guilty guys. I have an interest in protecting people against rights violations though for some reason. I guess from seeing it on the job ( not me) and harboring disdain for officers who make bad or illegal arrests. It gives the honest cops a bad rep.

Oh yeah, now we're talking!!!

Take them dirty cops down!! They're the reason many people don't trust the police.

[wingnut4772]

Oh yeah, now we're talking!!!

Take them dirty cops down!! They're the reason many people don't trust the police.

Don't I know that! Hell! I don't trust them either!LOL:D

[janmike]

Go for it Darla. I returned to University full-time in my mid 30's and did 2 degrees back to back, still working 3 part-time jobs. I was busy and it was a struggle, but I do not regret one minute. Besides, it paid for itself in a short period of time. The end result is I now enjoy what I do and am better off financially. Good Luck!

[schwarcw]

Good luck Darla! I'm glad to see you go for it. Do real estate or contract law. It's a decent field and you won't have to deal with the criminal element, just the corporate sleeze.

[hearingimpared]

Go get 'em kid! Good luck. My wife just finished 5 years of nursing school to get her R.N and was paid to go to school by all kinds of grants and scholarships, they are out there to be had by those who seek them. . . .it seems to be the most rewarding thing she has done in her life.

I've been toying with thoughts of going back to school . . . I've been out since 1975 and even though I made lots of cabbage, I always hated the work. I would like to get my BA in maybe the culinary arts just to accomplish the degree.

Knock em dead!

[schwarcw]

I would like to get my BA in maybe the culinary arts just to accomplish the degree.

You cook bro?

Carl

[hearingimpared]

You cook bro?

Carl

Big time!!! My Italian Mother started me cooking when I was five years old.

[hearingimpared]

Carl, when I had my audio business back in the late 80 -early 90, my brother and I had decided to open a restaurant so I got a job as a cook along with the audio business and my regular job at SMS. I became the souse chef there for two years and loved it. I had quit my regular job and worked at the restaurant until my brother and I decided against opening one of our own.

That's enough here, don't want to hijack the thread.

[disneyjoe7]

Darla, Follow your heart and go for it. Do what you enjoy for a living, the money will follow.

[wingnut4772]

I just took my Spanish CLEP test and passed! YAY :D 6 college credits for me for $75.00.

[disneyjoe7]

Passed Spanish...

Hmmm I thinking living in Miami had something to do with that. :)

Congrats.

[zombie boy 2000]

Congrats Darla!

Just keep in mind that becoming an attorney isn't necessarily a ticket to diamonds and riches. My wife passed the Bar, practiced law for two years within a small firm and could barely make two ends meet. Now she works for the Federal Gov...

Sounds like you're in it for the right reasons though.. i.e. your passion for the field and not the money (though I'm sure you'll become filthy, stinking rich anyway.. so please disregard my rambling:D )

[wingnut4772]

Passed Spanish...

Hmmm I thinking living in Miami had something to do with that. :)

Congrats.
Definitely! Deja me ver tu licencia por favor!:D

[wingnut4772]

Congrats Darla!

Just keep in mind that becoming an attorney isn't necessarily a ticket to diamonds and riches. My wife passed the Bar, practiced law for two years within a small firm and could barely make two ends meet. Now she works for the Federal Gov...

Sounds like you're in it for the right reasons though.. i.e. your passion for the field and not the money (though I'm sure you'll become filthy, stinking rich anyway.. so please disregard my rambling:D )


I would be lying if I said I did not want to make tons of dough. I have heard that from a lot of people actually....that many law graduates are not really making bank. What gives there?

[Ricardo]

I just took my Spanish CLEP test and passed! YAY :D 6 college credits for me for $75.00.


Felicitaciones!!!!!!

[zombie boy 2000]

I think it really comes down to whether or not you can get connected to a large firm... in which case, be prepared to work some of the most hellacious hours on the planet.
Once you become established, break away and do your own thing and still make bank.

However, starting off at a small-firm can be difficult financially. Only so much of the pie to go around, and if you're low person on the totem pole, be prepared to fight, scratch, and claw for your share.

[wingnut4772]

Is your wife happy with the money she makes now with the Gov?

[zombie boy 2000]

Unbelievably happy... as am I:D
The prestige was halved, but the money doubled. Go figure.

If you can get in with the Federal Gov with a law degree under your belt, you should skyrocket. You might have to swallow your pride for a year or two while people you graduated with ask you to perfrom menial tasks... but it's all temporary. I couldn't be more proud of my gal:)

[BaggedLancer]

Oh yes. $390 a credit !:eek: My job pays 1/2 but I am done upgrading for a while. I will have to figure out how to pay for law school in two years or so but I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

I am at a little over $1100 a credit, yes thats correct, a SINGLE credit. I have zero financial aid. It doesn't hurt right now but it surely will when I graduate and the loans need to be paid :mad: :eek:

Right now I'm playing the work and save(sometimes :) ) game. I have a little under a year to go for my Bachelors in Business Administration.....can't wait to get out and get a permanent job.

Anyway, good luck with the classes, criminal law classes are always interesting from what I hear.

[cfrizz]

Hi Darla, ZB is correct. If you work for a big firm, you will most probably make good money but not the kind of money that partners get. But you will almost have no life!

If you decide to work for the goverment, you will take a huge paycut, but you will most likely have a life. Mind you what you will be making with the goverment will not be chump change, you will be doing a lot better than most who don't have a law degree!

[wingnut4772]

Unbelievably happy... as am I:D
The prestige was halved, but the money doubled. Go figure.

If you can get in with the Federal Gov with a law degree under your belt, you should skyrocket. You might have to swallow your pride for a year or two while people you graduated with ask you to perfrom menial tasks... but it's all temporary. I couldn't be more proud of my gal:)
Thanks. I was thinking of staying on the Dep't and just going to the Legal Bureau also as an officer. That would be a schweet gig and maybe the best of both worlds with my retirement. I guess as I learn more I will figure it out. The problem is that right now I make in the area of 70 to 80K and I want to do better.

[wingnut4772]

I am at a little over $1100 a credit, yes thats correct, a SINGLE credit. I have zero financial aid. It doesn't hurt right now but it surely will when I graduate and the loans need to be paid :mad: :eek:

Right now I'm playing the work and save(sometimes :) ) game. I have a little under a year to go for my Bachelors in Business Administration.....can't wait to get out and get a permanent job.

Anyway, good luck with the classes, criminal law classes are always interesting from what I hear.

Geez! Where are you going to school?!:eek: :eek:

[zombie boy 2000]

... and don't forget -- with the USGov, the raises keep coming and coming and coming so chump change turns into posh living over time...

Just an option. You have years to decide. Congrats again!!

[BaggedLancer]

Geez! Where are you going to school?!:eek: :eek:

http://www.northeastern.edu/neuhome/images/nulogo3.gif
www.neu.edu

[wingnut4772]

I think that's where my roommate went. Pretty pricey but I bet it will be worth it.

[jdhdiggs]

And the gov offers their employees kick ass retirement programs...

One other thought, do some research as to where you want to work and ask them specifically what degrees and coursework focus' that they are looking for so you can be more marketable to the companies you want to work for. 70-80K is nothing to sneeze at. I hope you can make at least that much starting out, might be tight.

[BaggedLancer]

I think that's where my roommate went. Pretty pricey but I bet it will be worth it.


Yep there co-op program is #1 in the country. You get the experience for your resume + the money + the networking to land you a big job right out of school.

[Early B.]

I would be lying if I said I did not want to make tons of dough. I have heard that from a lot of people actually....that many law graduates are not really making bank. What gives there?

Supply and demand. There are too many lawyers in America, so many of them don't make very much money unless they have connections or graduate at the top of their class. Your situation is probably a bit different because you already have extensive experience in law enforcement.

BTW Wing -- what does the Legal Bureau do? Thanks.

[wingnut4772]

And the gov offers their employees kick ass retirement programs...

One other thought, do some research as to where you want to work and ask them specifically what degrees and coursework focus' that they are looking for so you can be more marketable to the companies you want to work for. 70-80K is nothing to sneeze at. I hope you can make at least that much starting out, might be tight.


No. I am not sneezing but that is with OT and having to shoot people for a living which I would rather not do anymore.

[PhantomOG]

when I graduated in 2001 my tuition for the year was ~$25,000 :eek:

I'll be paying student loans for a long long time :o

[wingnut4772]

Supply and demand. There are too many lawyers in America, so many of them don't make very much money unless they have connections or graduate at the top of their class. Your situation is probably a bit different because you already have extensive experience in law enforcement.

BTW Wing -- what does the Legal Bureau do? Thanks.
They are the dept's official legal department. They provide legal advice for oficers and represent the dept in all legal matters. I am just wondering though if they pay more with the law degree or if they just still abide by the scale....

[zombie boy 2000]

Mine was $34K Phantom...
I'll be paying for longer:D

[BaggedLancer]

Mine's at $38k + misc. expenses and climbing yearly.

Anyone interested in picking up the tab for me? :D

[zombie boy 2000]

game, set, match BaggedLancer:D

[BaggedLancer]

Lol unfortunately it's not one of those games im proud to win :)

[PhantomOG]

Well, thankfully for me, I went to a need based school. I started out with a Navy ROTC scholarship, but dropped it because I would have been in just as much debt without it as opposed to using it and owing Uncle Sam 8 years of my life.

[jdhdiggs]

Mine was $27K/year, but that was 7 yrs ago. I hear its at that price per semester now. I was looking at getting my MBA for management stupidity reasons, but the MBA program at UPenn right now is pushing $60K/year, uh, no thanks, not for about a 10% raise upon graduation...

$100/ credit sounds GREAT!

[Early B.]

They are the dept's official legal department. They provide legal advice for oficers and represent the dept in all legal matters. I am just wondering though if they pay more with the law degree or if they just still abide by the scale....

OK, so your job would be to uphold the sanctity of the fraternal brotherhood of police? I thought you wanted to nail crooked cops.

I could be wrong, but it sounds like a legal arm within a police department would be filled with lawyers who don't have a problem "bending" the law in order to to keep cops out of court and out of jail.

[cfrizz]

:eek: :eek: OUCH!:eek: :eek:


OK, so your job would be to uphold the sanctity of the fraternal brotherhood of police? I thought you wanted to nail crooked cops.

I could be wrong, but it sounds like a legal arm within a police department would be filled with lawyers who don't have a problem "bending" the law in order to to keep cops out of court and out of jail.

[bobman1235]

http://www.northeastern.edu/neuhome/images/nulogo3.gif
www.neu.edu

Got my B.S. from there a few years ago, and have the loans to prove it. But i also have a decent job at the place I cooped with, so it was definitely worth it.

[jdhdiggs]

My guess is that the dept's legal department would only pay slightly better than scale. Additionally, your history with them might make it difficult for you and the clients (if your a friend of a guy and you find out his dirty secrets or a guy you hate is someone you have to defend).

On the other hand, it would be about a gauranteed job and gives you experience to leave in the future.

[disneyjoe7]

OK, so your job would be to uphold the sanctity of the fraternal brotherhood of police? I thought you wanted to nail crooked cops.

I could be wrong, but it sounds like a legal arm within a police department would be filled with lawyers who don't have a problem "bending" the law in order to to keep cops out of court and out of jail.



You don't think more people are after the police, then police being on the wrong side of the law? I don't believe people who are policeman are bad people to begin with, but it maybe the system which changed them. Their jobs and pressures on their family live is tremendous all in all.

[DarqueKnight]

I would be lying if I said I did not want to make tons of dough. I have heard that from a lot of people actually....that many law graduates are not really making bank. What gives there?

Congrats on your decision to invest in more education. It is always one of the best things a person can do for themselves.

Many law graduates are not making bank because they don't know how to position themselves properly in the market place. Legal clients go to an attorney because they are looking for a specific result. If an attorney has demonstrated that he/she can deliver a specific result, clients will beat a path to that attorney's door.

Spend some time reading the biographies of the most successful attorneys. The common factor in all of them is that they had one big case where they delivered a great result for their client(s), usually against highly unfavorable odds. After that one big case, whether it was divorce, personal injury, criminal, etc., they were "on the map" so to speak. Therefore, if you are interested in climbing to the top ranks in the legal biz, you've got to go into it looking for that first big case, that first opportunity to let future clients know what you can do for them. Also, find something you are passionate about, whether it is going after crooked cops, socking large corporations with huge personal injury verdicts, or protecting wealthy clients against outrageous divorce settlements to their golddigging soon-to-be-ex spouses.

On the other hand, if you just want to be financially comfortable and toil away in relative obscurity, then working for a state or federal agency or the legal department of a large corporation are good alternatives to consider.

Regardless of what you decide to focus on, good luck with everything.

[steveinaz]

Best of Luck Darla!

[Strong Bad]

My friends wife is a lawyer for a BIG DC lawfirm. She put herself through lawschool while working at this firm (got her college degree in Criminal Justice). After lawschool, she passed the Bar Exam, still works for this firm now as a full fledged corporate law attorney making big $$$!

She finished lawschool in 2005 and passed the bar in November 2005. Right after passing the bar and taking a new position a month later, I know she hit $120k/yr. From what I know with talking to my friend, it is much higher than that after only 1 year.

Darla, go for it! Remember, if you feel the urge to be someones sugar mama, I would like to apply! :D


John

[beardog03]

Darla, go for it! Remember, if you feel the urge to be someones sugar mama, I would like to apply! :D


John

Line starts behind me...!!!

Good for you !

I hope all goes well for you with school..

I find myself on the edge of needing to go to school to get a better job, and make more money for my insane hobby..!!

I will be looking into it soon myself

[wingnut4772]

Thanks for all the encouragement guys. I like the sound of 120K :D

I guess I will learn as I go.

[DarqueKnight]

Right after passing the bar and taking a new position a month later, I know she hit $120k/yr.

You have to be careful when considering salary offers. $120 k/yr is really only $60 k/yr if you are working 80 hours per week. At some top law firms, a 14 hour day is expected for partners and senior associate attorneys, but they typically have weekends off. For junior associates just joining a big firm, 16+ hours per day and lots of weekend work is often the norm because they are doing a lot of the grunt research work for the senior people.

Another thing to consider is that most law firms do not offer a benefits package (health insurance, retirement pension, etc.) to junior or even senior associates. In many law firms, only partners receive a benefits package.

Therefore, when you consider $120,000 divided by the long hours minus your out of pocket costs for health insurance, life insurance, and retirement savings, you might only end up with a $40,000 or $50,000 per year job.

[hearingimpared]

You have to be careful when considering salary offers. $120 k/yr is really only $60 k/yr if you are working 80 hours per week. At some top law firms, a 14 hour day is expected for partners and senior associate attorneys, but they typically have weekends off. For junior associates just joining a big firm, 16+ hours per day and lots of weekend work is often the norm because they are doing a lot of the grunt research work for the senior people.

Another thing to consider is that most law firms do not offer a benefits package (health insurance, retirement pension, etc.) to junior or even senior associates. In many law firms, only partners receive a benefits package.

Therefore, when you consider $120,000 divided by the long hours minus your out of pocket costs for health insurance, life insurance, and retirement savings, you might only end up with a $40,000 or $50,000 per year job.


My sentiments exactly . . .I worked not as an attorney but as a contractor in the IT industry for some time and the $175+K that was being made at that time was full of hidden expenses as well as 80 hour work weeks. My advise, choose your job based on what you love to do rather than the money eventually your money will catch up to your love because you will have been doing such great work the powers that be will freely reward you for it.