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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Self-Improvement/Self-Help > How to Get What You Want in Life > Career/life direction
Expert: Jacky Tustain - 10/22/2009
Question
Hello. Thank you for volunteering! I am interested in you particularly because you are from the UK... maybe a sign!
I am 25 years old and nearing the end of a grueling course (JD). Basically, I did the pragmatic thing. I went to undergrad where I studied history and loved every day of my life. This is because (1) I was around a lot of brilliant people endlessly (2) I studied something I loved and (3) life was fun and (4) I felt proud of myself for being at a particularly reputable university.
Then I went to law school. Misery ensued. I went into this to give myself options. I particularly wanted and still want to return to London. I am in love with London because (1) I love the history in a way that is hard to express in words and (2) I loved living in the compact city. I went on a study abroad program (three actually, in highschool, college, and post-grad) to London and struggle to stand being away from it.
Strange right?
But therein lay a problem. Knowing I had this love, I studied and built myself into something I did not love. I do not like what I am doing and am frustrated with my course. I am lonely, not proud of myself, and discouraged. I wanted to do this to get back to London. Now I am finding I would have to do a job I would not like to do that (securities law or tax law are in demand). I feel defeated because I gave up history to do this to get back, and now I see how hard it really is. I feel like I am being pinched at all ends. I know it seems odd that I love a place so much, but I cannot imagine living elsewhere. But it seems unnatural to keep killing myself doing something I hate to get their.
So, I am wondering if you have any advice on how to turn my JD into work in the UK. I am very serious about moving. I have gotten into several MA programs over the years but have never been able to get funding to do them. I do not qualify for a Tier 1 as the UK does not recognize my JD as a valuable degree. So I am left with looking for a job that will issue a Tier 2 visa. Any advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated. Very few people empathize with this problem.
Thanks!
Jen
Answer
Hi Jen,
I may need to answer this in two phases. Firstly I need you to clarify what a JD and an MA is and if you can also explain a little more about the tier 1 and tier 2 visa and what the implications of this are to you I will hopefully be able to give you a better answer.
Before you launch into that though I will suggest you think a little about what is making you feel like this. Is it truly London you love or was it the college life you had over here?
What is it you hate about the work you are studying for? Would there be another angle to come from that would change the way you feel about it? Could you study for something else and be creative about funding - i.e. take a job and study outside of work time?
Although we are in a recession there are still lots of job opportunities out there and high demand for various skills. You may want to consider some psychometric/personality tests to identify the type of work that suits you.
If you can get back to me with some specifics I will see if I can help you further. I will add that I am not an expert in visas and careers, my focus is more on personal development so my answer may still be a little vague for your needs - however I always answer as best I can!
Jacky
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