I appreciate the honesty of these responses and find it interesting that so many echo the same concerns. My first job out of college was as a social worker in a domestic violence shelter serving mostly Asian Pacific Islander immigrant women. The work had an immediate impact, but it was one thimble of water against a fire, and I saw too many people get burned out and discouraged. Later, I switched gears completely and worked for Disney, where everyone's only real concern was money. This was the job's greatest weakness and strength. Most recently, I lived in the Philippines, doing purely academic research on a pretty indulgent government grant that allowed me to compile histories of political artists after the end of martial law. When I'm completely honest, I wonder if I came to law school because it was the best thing I could come up with to do next.

I wanted to go to law school because I hoped it would open up paths that combine an academic life with a public interest life. I hoped for a degree of flexibility between the two and a way to pay off the debt. I'd like to find a practical way to work for the issues I worked for in college, work that speaks to the history of communities of color. www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/forgotten_heroes/5994/

For now, I mostly want to meet people who find meaning in their work but aren't consumed by it, who enjoy their lives and still provide comfort for their families. Ultimately, I want to figure out a way to do that myself.

-- LaurenManalang - 27 Jan 2009