I want to become an actress but i also want to be a criminal justice lawyer- how do i pick?
I'm asking because I have always wanted to be an actress since I was four (I'm 19 now) and I also want to become a lawyer in criminal justice because I have seen a lot of bad people get away with a lot of things only because of their reputation status. #law #lawyer #acting #law-practice
5 answers
Scott David’s Answer
Dedicating your life to something is not an easy choice to make. What I would recommend is asking yourself if you can live without acting. Professional actors give their whole lives to the craft. It can supersede family, money, and at times even your health. If you can say that you don't know how to live without acting, it might be a good path for you.
Every job requires commitment and excellence, if you can give it. What do you feel you are strongest in? Where do you think you can give back the most to your community or to the world? What would success look like to you, and what are you prepared to sacrifice to have it?
Also, you don't have to know now. You can always act in your local community theater while you study to be a lawyer. However, it important to remember excellence takes dedication. There are no rules.
Do your best & break a leg!
Austin Hansley
Austin’s Answer
If you have time to decide then take your time. If you are about to enter college or are in college then set up some interviews with people that work in your chosen fields.
There is no guarantee that you will be successful, or even break in to either of these professions. But if you work hard, and it is your passion then no one will be able to stop you. Do some soul searching and figure out what you are good at, what you like to do, and what your goals are in life. Compare these to what you say you may want to do one day. You may find that once you consider all of these factors that neither of these options are a good fit. Or you may find that both are a good fit. Do your due diligence and make an informed decision. Both roads are quite opposite of each other, so I believe that once you do a proper analysis of the things mentioned herein, you will be able to identify a clear choice.
Ron’s Answer
Criminal law is a very rewarding field--only if your heart is in it.
It is a field where you spend long hours, prepare hundreds of cases, take many of them to trial, and all of that for relatively low pay. So to some, it is not worth it and will quickly make your life miserable. To others, the passion for justice and the field balances against all those vices.
So my advice is: if criminal law is your passion--I would be pleased to have you join us.
Alexandra (Sasha) Verkh
Alexandra (Sasha)’s Answer
Being passionate about your career is important, but so is being practical. There are many more opportunities to practice law, and to pursue justice in the world, than there are to be a paid actor/actress. If I were in the role of a trusted adult in your life, I would probably advise you to choose law as a career, and to pursue roles here and there in community theater to scratch your acting itch. Law is probably more likely to pay the bills for you as well.
Deborah E. Johnson, Esq.
Deborah E.’s Answer
I work in the entertainment industry and I was a professional dancer, so I know the difficulties you will face in pursuing an acting career. However, I am a strong believer in following your dreams. Here is my best advice to you: pursue an acting career but go to school as well, and major in criminal justice. If your acting career does not take off by the time you graduate with you bachelor's degree, apply to law school. Maybe you will or will not make it "big." Or maybe you can put yourself through school acting and modeling. By the time you complete law school, you will know one way or the other, which direction to go. Then, you will be equipped and educated to make an informed decision from there . Hope this helps!