I'm a lawyer but I want to become a music teacher, is that bad?

Question

I went through years of illness, depression, and many tears to get my 5 year law degree. When I finally graduated I was exhausted and sick, anxious. I didn't get a chance to recover. Because of my fragile health, i went in a downward spiral. I can't complain about my current job, but my passion was actually to be a music teacher, and i didn't know there was a bachelor program until now. Should I give up ever persuing a job in law so I can be a music teacher? I think it would help me out of what I think is a depression. I'm not even a fan of desk jobs. I'm brilliant at music and I think I could work part time too to save my energy to keep recovering.

Anonymous · Answer

Um I respect your calling for advocacy in the law I also went through rigourous legal training and my interest in music just remained somewhat relevant i can honestly say the music industry is the most difficult to survive in nonetheless you must do in life what you are most talented in. There is always something relevant we can do in any field to survive you mostly need to relate well to others and to constantly remain posive and inspired. A true teacher never stops learning. Good luck on pursuing your dreams. :)

mushfica · Answer

If you feel it's your passion, go for it! If you enjoy the music and want it to be your main profession, go for it! Not so many people are courageous enough to follow their dreams and hopes . passion is the key of happiness. I hope it all will work out for you.

Lili · Answer

Why would that be bad?  I know an art historian who became a lawyer.  She turned her back on a PhD and a curatorial position at a major museum to go to law school. She felt academic scholarship imposed too many very stressful demands and pressures for not enough pay.

People change careers all the time. It's perfectly fine. You shouldn't spend your life in a career you hate and that has made you sick. Do what you love. You'll be better at it than you are at something you hate.

Be realistic, though: music education won't pay as well as law -- not nearly as well.  And many schools are doing away with arts, so teaching positions might not be all that easy to find.  You should probably talk this over with a working music teacher and get his or her views on career prospects.

I'm surprised you didn't know that bachelor's degrees in music educations exist. You probably didn't bother to look into it, being focused on getting a law degree.

? · Answer

If you feel it's your passion, go for it! If you enjoy the music and want it to be your main occupation, go for it! Not so many people are courageous enough to follow their dreams. I hope it all will work out for you.

snappy · Answer

you can do anything you put your mind to no knowledge taken is wasted ever its always usefull while you become a teacher you might make some connections with the music industry people and you are a lawyer and being a lawyer when ever nedded and teaching music is both waht you should do dont listen to your brain listen to your heart inner voice what it says

Anonymous · Answer

If you're really a lawyer, you would realize the best thing to do is at least give law a chance before deciding to make a complete career change.  You need to do some research before proceeding.

Anonymous · Answer

Do what you enjoy most. 
Be a stripper if you want to.
But don't do it for me or anyone else,
do it for yourself.

Samuel · Answer

By all means, become a music teacher. Follow your heart. Do what makes you happy.

Tavy · Answer

Go for it, life is too short.

ihavqs2 · Answer

It’s too bad you didn’t figure out what you wanted to do when you grew up BEFORE you threw a bucket load of money away to the law school.

I'm a lawyer but I want to become a music teacher, is that bad?

11 Answers