Any women with law or medical degrees?

[Mskanga]

Originally posted by DocRafiki

You also have to consider that anyone going to a state school is having their education partially paid for by the rest of us. I for one don't appreciate having my tax money spent on an expensive match-making service (that goes for undergrad, too).

DR, that is the stupidest statement I have read in a while. The only difference between a state or private College , is where the money comes from , but people get into those colleges based on their past education , so they have all earned to get into College.
I don't know if you went to private or public college , if you went to public college , you also used other people's tax money for your education on something that you don't seem to be happy doing. But in any case if you want to whine about your tax money being spent , maybe you should whine about your tax money being spent on people on who milk welfare because they are too lazy to get a job.
Wether people choose to use their degree and when , is a personal choice , just like it is for you to remain single or not have children.
JMHO.

 

[AirForceRocks]

IMO, it is no one else's business why anyone goes to college or grad school, be it a public institution or a private one. I understand the frustration resulting from the situation that caity described, but I would think that such situations are the exception, rather than the rule.

As to someone getting an advanced degree and then quitting work to be a SAHM, I don't see how that is ANYONE'S business, other than the family involved.

 

[palmtreegirl]

As to someone getting an advanced degree and then quitting work to be a SAHM, I don't see how that is ANYONE'S business, other than the family involved.

Amen!

 

[mcnuss]

As to someone getting an advanced degree and then quitting work to be a SAHM, I don't see how that is ANYONE'S business, other than the family involved.

Another AMEN from me!

I really don't see the difference between being a SAHM with or without a professional, advanced, college or no degree. This is a personal decision that has nothing to do with educational level. To imply otherwise is to diminish the great importance of the work that a SAHM does everyday. I could not have done it, but I admire those who do. It's WAYYYY harder than going to a "job" everyday. Further, most SAHMs do not stay home forever. Women re-enter the work force all the time.

As to the public/private school debate, what a stupid red herring. It is irrelevant. Should we then make sure that every kid who majors in history (or fill in the blank other subject) at a state school a)enters the work force and b)does something history related that c)benefits all of us in some way by the implicit or explicit return of the money that was spent on his/her education? What foolishness. When you go to a publicly funded school, no such deal is struck.

skuttle - I wanted to add that a friend of mine had 3 babies while in law school! She had her first when she was a 1L (over winter break and was back in class right after! Her DH was a SAHD.) and then got pregnant with twins when she was a 3L. She missed a lot of her last semester on bed rest, but they taped every class for her, and although she delivered in April, she was able to take her exams and graduate with her class. She did, however, wait until Feb. to sit for the bar! Another friend of mine was 38 weeks during the bar exam, started having Braxton Hicks in the middle of the essays, managed to finish, and only failed by 2 points!! Can you imagine!?

You - and they - are proof that when there's a will, there's a way. Not everyone is cut out for law school, or babies, or being a SAHM, or working outside the home - these are all personal choices and characteristics. You go girl!!!!

 

[Deb in IA]

Originally posted by MinnieYC
I've never met anyone who is in or went to medical school without intending to use the medical degree in some way (whether it be practicing medicine, consulting, lab research, etc.)

Actually, Minnie, I know of several persons who are doing just that. Have degree, have license, have board certification. But not using any of their training.

Not my cup of tea, but I guess it works for them.

 

[Sandy V.]

Deb, I'm curious. Why on earth would they put themselves through that rigourous training, and not intend to use it?

 

[Deb in IA]

Beats me, Sandy.

One of my former collegues had always worked part time. She became increasing unhappy with our division director, and ended up taking what started out to be a year's leave of absence. After that time, she decided that she didn't want to work anymore. Her husband is an anesthesiologist in private practice, so they make beaucoup $$$$$, and she has 3 children. But her youngest is now in elementary school, and we have a different division director, but she is still not working.

One of the luxuries of medicine is that there are many physicians (and yes, mostly female mom MD's) that work part time - anywhere from only one day a week to an afternoon off. I don't know why my collegue doesn't do that. I know that I could not just stay home.

 

[Sandy V.]

Yeah, I know a lot of female attorneys who do the part-time thing, anywhere from 10 to 30 hours. In most instances, they're married to someone in a professional position, i.e. another lawyer, doctor, dentist, etc., where their income supplements the main breadwinner's.

But even 20+ years after law school, most everyone I knew from law school is still working in one variation or another.

I worked 20 hours a week for 2 years and loved it, but when I got tapped to be part of a major project that I thought would be fascinating, I went back full time 5 years ago. Life is hectic, but I like the intellectual stimulation and daily contact with people I like and respect.

Hey, as long as people leading happy lives and are not on the public dole, who am I to judge?