LAW OR ECONOMICS? PLEASE ADVISE!
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I am currently having a dilemma between 2 university courses and I would appreciate if anyone of you, especially university graduates/current students, could render me the appropriate advice. Thanks!
I am currently holding a law offer. In Singa-pragmatic-pore, a law degree is perceived as "lucrative" because it is professional in nature, ensuring job stability and good career prospects. I never fail to elicit approving nods or even raise a few impressed eyebrows whenever I tell people [who ask] that I will be reading law in the near future.
However, while serving NS, I struggled quite abit internally. Deep down, I have always been interested in the study of economics. Academic-wise, I have always performed well in mathematics and economics. However, everyone has been telling me that a social science degree is too "general" and doesnt provide solid career prospects unlike law. So far, very few, if any at all, have provided me with an alternate view.
I really don't know whether to pursue my passion or be more pragmatic. I guess the reason why I'm skeptical about going to law school is not so much the lack of interest as the intense competition amongst law students. Ultimately, law school admits students who are academically strong [I'm not one of them though, just got lucky I guess] and the cohort size is small. After talking to students and law graduates, I have come to the conclusion that law school is tough and the competition is cutthroat.
On the other hand, mathematics is to me what cooking is to chefs or what aeroplanes is to aerospace engineers. It comes just so naturally without the need to put myself through pain and misery. When I was studying mathematics or economics at school, I find myself enjoying the process without finding it laborious at all. In fact, without the need for external "push", I actually took the initiative to consult my tutors and source for information myself. Independent studying became so easy, and may I add, natural, when I was so interested in what I was studying. And ultimately, I did consistently well in both subjects and even topped my class in these subjects during the prelims.
But doing well, or having interest, in any particular subject doesnt translate into a good career. I noticed that in the financial sector, there is a disproportionate amount of people with finance, law and accounting backgrounds. It's pretty undeniable that an arts degree plays second fiddle to professional degree when it comes to job search.
Law does seemed interestng but the thing is I would never know if it would turn out to be something I hate tremendously. It sucks to see myself dragging my feet through 4 years of school reading something I dread. 4 years is alot of time and I need to make sure that what I'm studying is at least of marginal interest to me so I can be motivated to study. Once studying becomes a chore, I would tend to do badly in physics, as was the case during my physics A levels [Physics was my hated subject in JC].
I'm really in a quandary and would appreciate if anyone could provide me with some wisdom, perspective or insight that have somehow eluded me one way or another.
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The choice is obvious.
Go for economics/mathematics majors.
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i have to agree with jojobeach.
anyway, unless the job(s) you want in the future requires you to have a degree in law, what you get does not matter all that much. esp if it's just a bachelors degree...
besides, it'll be better if you do well in say...econs than to do badly in law.
at the end of the day, it's just a piece of paper.
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Originally posted by Don1988:
I am currently having a dilemma between 2 university courses and I would appreciate if anyone of you, especially university graduates/current students, could render me the appropriate advice. Thanks!
I am currently holding a law offer. In Singa-pragmatic-pore, a law degree is perceived as "lucrative" because it is professional in nature, ensuring job stability and good career prospects. I never fail to elicit approving nods or even raise a few impressed eyebrows whenever I tell people [who ask] that I will be reading law in the near future.
However, while serving NS, I struggled quite abit internally. Deep down, I have always been interested in the study of economics. Academic-wise, I have always performed well in mathematics and economics. However, everyone has been telling me that a social science degree is too "general" and doesnt provide solid career prospects unlike law. So far, very few, if any at all, have provided me with an alternate view.
I really don't know whether to pursue my passion or be more pragmatic. I guess the reason why I'm skeptical about going to law school is not so much the lack of interest as the intense competition amongst law students. Ultimately, law school admits students who are academically strong [I'm not one of them though, just got lucky I guess] and the cohort size is small. After talking to students and law graduates, I have come to the conclusion that law school is tough and the competition is cutthroat.
On the other hand, mathematics is to me what cooking is to chefs or what aeroplanes is to aerospace engineers. It comes just so naturally without the need to put myself through pain and misery. When I was studying mathematics or economics at school, I find myself enjoying the process without finding it laborious at all. In fact, without the need for external "push", I actually took the initiative to consult my tutors and source for information myself. Independent studying became so easy, and may I add, natural, when I was so interested in what I was studying. And ultimately, I did consistently well in both subjects and even topped my class in these subjects during the prelims.
But doing well, or having interest, in any particular subject doesnt translate into a good career. I noticed that in the financial sector, there is a disproportionate amount of people with finance, law and accounting backgrounds. It's pretty undeniable that an arts degree plays second fiddle to professional degree when it comes to job search.
Law does seemed interestng but the thing is I would never know if it would turn out to be something I hate tremendously. It sucks to see myself dragging my feet through 4 years of school reading something I dread. 4 years is alot of time and I need to make sure that what I'm studying is at least of marginal interest to me so I can be motivated to study. Once studying becomes a chore, I would tend to do badly in physics, as was the case during my physics A levels [Physics was my hated subject in JC].
I'm really in a quandary and would appreciate if anyone could provide me with some wisdom, perspective or insight that have somehow eluded me one way or another.
Study LAW and be a lawyer first, cos you can still go back and study economics anytime when you do not want to be a lawyer.
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u cant concentrate on a job u didnt want to do because u have no interest for it..........but to enjoy working u need to choose a job that u like and can be fun to ur life......so i advise u to pick economic because it interest u
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go with your heart, not head.
i have quite a handful of frens in my undergrad days who did law and felt extremely miserable. they live to see graduation day and none of them practice.
if you are adaptable, no harm do law becos monies is surely better in think. otherwise, follow your heart.
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Originally posted by parn:
Study LAW and be a lawyer first, cos you can still go back and study economics anytime when you do not want to be a lawyer.
this is a typical singapore mentality that afflicts the nation. a national disease.why waste 4 years of your youth just to be safe?
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You probably don't NEED to study econs since most of the stuff they teach you aren't really helpful cos theres too many external factors. BUT hey, if its your interest, go for it!
I wanted to go for Law as well, but I decided Pol Sci instead. Out of interest! =D
Join the club who shall be labelled as "dumbasses."
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study law. You can always study econs later.
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Lawyers generally make more money than economists.
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if you are performing well in mathematics and economics, go for math/econs major and go qualify to be an actuary; they're tons better off than lawyers any day
take it from a fellow economics student to another aspirant (:
contrary to what people say about an economics degree being too general, you have more options to choose from when you enter the job market as opposed to being specialised in a trade you eventually find that you do not like and whether or not you will make it in any career will depend on how much effort you put into your work
if it interests you, it is also no uncommon for economics grads to later take up a law degree and they usually perform well because of the rigorous training in analysis gained from an economics major. there is an emerging branch of economics that apply economic theory to law as well
the skies' your limits when you take an econs major (:
edit: dropped my msn in your mailbox; feel free to ask me anything on msn ^^
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there's a reason y law onli take in the best candidates, that's because law concepts are very difficult to digest and highly philosophical, juz a simple contract law regarding promise for promise (consideration) can take weeks to understand, so pls don't touch it if u don't hav the passion, u can't last with just pragmatism.
i hav frens who had exactly the same mindset as u, came into law fac, quit school after 2 wks and went overseas to study econs or biz, dat's becos law is a totally new realm of academic study, and u won't want to waste 4 yrs of yr life studying something u ar not interested in. Moreover u ar a guy, and already given 2 yrs to the army, u can't afford to waste anymore time.
law is a very specific subject, if u think u can learn management skill, communication skills, finance, economics etc etc yada yada 'soft skills', then be prepared to be disappointed, cos most of the ppl who come in ar already excellent and confident speakers + writers(but not all make sense, lol), that's y there's no need to develop these skills
it's juz law law law and nothing else, and u'll hardly get to apply the legal concepts unless u are a laywer. dat's y the legal profession has such a high attrition rate, cos ppl become disillusioned.dun make the same mistake, choose wisely, wif yr brain, not wif the wallet. (who says economists, CEOs, executives don't earn as much?)
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Originally posted by Don1988:
I am currently having a dilemma between 2 university courses and I would appreciate if anyone of you, especially university graduates/current students, could render me the appropriate advice. Thanks!
I am currently holding a law offer. In Singa-pragmatic-pore, a law degree is perceived as "lucrative" because it is professional in nature, ensuring job stability and good career prospects. I never fail to elicit approving nods or even raise a few impressed eyebrows whenever I tell people [who ask] that I will be reading law in the near future.
However, while serving NS, I struggled quite abit internally. Deep down, I have always been interested in the study of economics. Academic-wise, I have always performed well in mathematics and economics. However, everyone has been telling me that a social science degree is too "general" and doesnt provide solid career prospects unlike law. So far, very few, if any at all, have provided me with an alternate view.
I really don't know whether to pursue my passion or be more pragmatic. I guess the reason why I'm skeptical about going to law school is not so much the lack of interest as the intense competition amongst law students. Ultimately, law school admits students who are academically strong [I'm not one of them though, just got lucky I guess] and the cohort size is small. After talking to students and law graduates, I have come to the conclusion that law school is tough and the competition is cutthroat.
On the other hand, mathematics is to me what cooking is to chefs or what aeroplanes is to aerospace engineers. It comes just so naturally without the need to put myself through pain and misery. When I was studying mathematics or economics at school, I find myself enjoying the process without finding it laborious at all. In fact, without the need for external "push", I actually took the initiative to consult my tutors and source for information myself. Independent studying became so easy, and may I add, natural, when I was so interested in what I was studying. And ultimately, I did consistently well in both subjects and even topped my class in these subjects during the prelims.
But doing well, or having interest, in any particular subject doesnt translate into a good career. I noticed that in the financial sector, there is a disproportionate amount of people with finance, law and accounting backgrounds. It's pretty undeniable that an arts degree plays second fiddle to professional degree when it comes to job search.
Law does seemed interestng but the thing is I would never know if it would turn out to be something I hate tremendously. It sucks to see myself dragging my feet through 4 years of school reading something I dread. 4 years is alot of time and I need to make sure that what I'm studying is at least of marginal interest to me so I can be motivated to study. Once studying becomes a chore, I would tend to do badly in physics, as was the case during my physics A levels [Physics was my hated subject in JC].
I'm really in a quandary and would appreciate if anyone could provide me with some wisdom, perspective or insight that have somehow eluded me one way or another.
Law school is tough alrite.. lol.. trust no one. Well..unless u are up there with the pros that hang together, its pretty much a solo effort.
Since u are good at mathematics , good at what u do. Why not ? at least u love what u do. Unless u really REALLY need a law degree for like a big plan or something. If u got no plan, just do what u like to do. Do it well. N when u come out, with ur good results n ur passion for ur subjects, i am sure there will be big companies that will hire you. Hire u for ur attitude too. ;p .
There are good high earning economists out there la. U can even double major.
Good luck.
U do what u like first , then if u really wanna take up law later u still can and should be 'easier' in terms of concepts n stuff.If u are really as passionate, i think u wil have very good grades. Law school looknig at law subjects, they will also look at ur non-law subjects n see how u fare as well. So yeah.. Never too old to study man.. but then again, ;p Its up to you,.
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are you going to pay us a part of your first month's salary after you graduated from university?
Otherwise don't bother asking. You have to be decisive. Make your own decision, we are not the one who will be looking out for you. You have to defend yourself in the future
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Hi all!
Thanks for all your replies, very much appreciated!!
The thing about studying economics is this. My future prospects is contingent upon securing good honours in economics, and it is a no guarantee. And if I end up like the 80-85% of NUS econs major who ends up with a normal degree/2nd lower/3rd class, my future is quite screwed, in every sense of the word. NUS is really very stingy when it comes to dishing out good honours.
All things equal, a 2nd lower law degree is still better than a 2nd lower econs degree. Of course, I have confidence that I will excel in economics, barring any unforeseen circumstances. This is because of my strength in mathematics, and economics at university level is pretty much hardcore mathematics and nothing esle. But life is unpredictable and the past 20 years or so of my life has taught me this. I can't go into an economics major thinking for certain that I will get a 2nd uppers for sure. It's foolhardy and starry-eyed thinking.
I totally agree that this country is covered in a malaise of pragmatism. I have seen too many of my friends giving up their interest [in the sciences and arts] to pursue practical degrees such as accountancy. Not that I have the right to criticize though, since I'm almost like one of them. I just don't know whether happiness is really a good barometer of success. Does happiness come about due to enjoying what one is doing, or due to having the financial ability i.e to be able to afford all the life's indulgences? I'm so scared that by the time I graduate as an economics major I will regret that I chose happiness over something that could put rice onto my table.
I'm so vexed. Someone please knock some sense into me.
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Originally posted by redDUST:
this is a typical singapore mentality that afflicts the nation. a national disease.why waste 4 years of your youth just to be safe?
Just because you are NOT GOOD ENOUGH to study law, doesn't means it's right for you to suggest a lesser path to TS to drag him down together into the mud with you.Jealous that TS can fly higher than you with a career in law or you're just not genuine enough to advice TS sincerely?
Even though studying law is something not within your own capability, but that doesn't means TS ability should be lesser than you.
You should know, there are many people out there who are much more capable than you and they deserved to have a better future than you. So until you can accept that truth, you can always continue to give your biased advices based on your own limits. But do have a heart and at least sincerely wish and advice for the betterment of someone else if you really want to advise them.
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Originally posted by Don1988:
Hi all!
Thanks for all your replies, very much appreciated!!
The thing about studying economics is this. My future prospects is contingent upon securing good honours in economics, and it is a no guarantee. And if I end up like the 80-85% of NUS econs major who ends up with a normal degree/2nd lower/3rd class, my future is quite screwed, in every sense of the word. NUS is really very stingy when it comes to dishing out good honours.
All things equal, a 2nd lower law degree is still better than a 2nd lower econs degree. Of course, I have confidence that I will excel in economics, barring any unforeseen circumstances. This is because of my strength in mathematics, and economics at university level is pretty much hardcore mathematics and nothing esle. But life is unpredictable and the past 20 years or so of my life has taught me this. I can't go into an economics major thinking for certain that I will get a 2nd uppers for sure. It's foolhardy and starry-eyed thinking.
I totally agree that this country is covered in a malaise of pragmatism. I have seen too many of my friends giving up their interest [in the sciences and arts] to pursue practical degrees such as accountancy. Not that I have the right to criticize though, since I'm almost like one of them. I just don't know whether happiness is really a good barometer of success. Does happiness come about due to enjoying what one is doing, or due to having the financial ability i.e to be able to afford all the life's indulgences? I'm so scared that by the time I graduate as an economics major I will regret that I chose happiness over something that could put rice onto my table.
I'm so vexed. Someone please knock some sense into me.
It's up to you really, but I don't see there's anything wrong with going for a career with a better future...such as lawyer when compared to economist.Before you chose your course, ask yourself why you are studying and why you NEED to study? Is it because to please your parents? Is it because you want to have a better future?
Lastly, you are still too young to choose and indulged in happiness. Eat more bitter now so that your future can be a brighter one than many others in your society.
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Thank you parn for your sincere advice. I'm really grateful for it. I will think hard about what you have said.
Btw I dont think he really wants to "drag me down" ba. He's just giving me another perspective which I value as well. So peace out! :)
Will appreciate more input from all you guys out there!
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Originally posted by parn:
Just because you are NOT GOOD ENOUGH to study law, doesn't means it's right for you to suggest a lesser path to TS to drag him down together into the mud with you.Jealous that TS can fly higher than you with a career in law or you're just not genuine enough to advice TS sincerely?
Even though studying law is something not within your own capability, but that doesn't means TS ability should be lesser than you.
You should know, there are many people out there who are much more capable than you and they deserved to have a better future than you. So until you can accept that truth, you can always continue to give your biased advices based on your own limits. But do have a heart and at least sincerely wish and advice for the betterment of someone else if you really want to advise them.
i am under no illusion that there are many ppl who're better than me. i don't need a fag to tell me that in 3 para.
i am purely making a comment that is all too common amongst the KS (both su and si) singaporeans who thinks like you. that is the recipe for failure. you are prescribing something that will hurt the TS more rather than help him.
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Originally posted by Don1988:
Thank you parn for your sincere advice. I'm really grateful for it. I will think hard about what you have said.
Btw I dont think he really wants to "drag me down" ba. He's just giving me another perspective which I value as well. So peace out! :)
Will appreciate more input from all you guys out there!
just think along this line, ppl who does great things all borne out of passion. not for the monies.
achieving greatness is not assured purely on passion. but that is the main ingredients.
if tiger woods or michael jordan play their respective sports thinking that they could be multi-millionaires, they will probably fail.
it is that simple.
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Originally posted by parn:
It's up to you really, but I don't see there's anything wrong with going for a career with a better future...such as lawyer when compared to economist.Before you chose your course, ask yourself why you are studying and why you NEED to study? Is it because to please your parents? Is it because you want to have a better future?
Lastly, you are still too young to choose and indulged in happiness. Eat more bitter now so that your future can be a brighter one than many others in your society.
`better future', `such as law when compared to economist'.
what is the parameter of comparison that makes you say so? how is a lawyer better than an economist, or vice verse?
one that makes more money? i rest my case
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Originally posted by redDUST:
i am under no illusion that there are many ppl who're better than me. i don't need a fag to tell me that in 3 para.
i am purely making a comment that is all too common amongst the KS (both su and si) singaporeans who thinks like you. that is the recipe for failure. you are prescribing something that will hurt the TS more rather than help him.
It's ok, I'm more concern about you giving TS your biased advice than your any other posts/comments to me.I'm glad that TS has more options to consider before making his decision for his future.
Ohh...and passion is something that can be cultivated. Only people who have experienced/exposed in any field of work can confidently say they have developed a passion for that particular field of work.
So your imaginative passion are just plain dreams borned out of minor kids. No wonder you say your passion isn't going to assure the achieving of greatness in any particular field of work.
I can't blame you for things that you don't know right?
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Originally posted by parn:
It's ok, I'm more concern about you giving TS your biased advice than your any other posts/comments to me.I'm glad that TS has more options to consider before making his decision for his future.
Ohh...and passion is something that can be cultivated. Only people who have experienced/exposed in any field of work can confidently say they have developed a passion for that particular field of work.
So your imaginative passion are just plain dreams borned out of minor kids. No wonder you say your passion isn't going to assure the achieving of greatness in any particular field of work.
I can't blame you for things that you don't know right?
so are you speaking from experience or from a hollow mouthpiece? -
I do not like law .
From my limited exposure to this subject . It has too many words and it works a lot on the law of precedence . So you got to read into lots of historical cases as references .
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Hi Reddust and Parn
Both of you are my most valued contributors with interesting advice and perspectives. Let us just keep to our respective opinions and respect our differences alright? Peace out!!
Meanwhile, I look forward to more opinions from more people out there!