4 answers
Amorette
Student
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
1
Question
Asked
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What should I pick a lawyer or actress?
What should I pick a lawyer or actress? I really like both of these jobs and I know both of them take hard work, so much money, and take judgement from others.
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4 answers
Tyler Tuin
1
Answer
Updated
Tyler’s Answer
Both. In 1814 Sir Walter Scott published a novel titled Waverly. It is considered the first historical fiction novel in western literature. He wrote this after having been a lawyer for decades. You bring to your acting career your life experience. And a career in law would absolutely be well supported with a keen understanding of performance.
Your career is a canvas to paint on!
Get a law degree and take acting classes here and there.
Your career is a canvas to paint on!
Tyler recommends the following next steps:
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
Amorette
Hi Tyler, welcome to Career Village! Hope you enjoy it as much as I have. And you are spot-on, there is definitely a degree of theatrics involved in lawyering - I've seen some really good acts!
Kim Igleheart
Mary Catena
Lawyer
1
Answer
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Mary’s Answer
I LOVE that you are interested in two things that many would say are complete opposite ends of the spectrum (lawyer being at the analytical end and actress being at the creative end). This shows that you are not putting yourself in a box or limiting your options, which, in my opinion, is very important for young people as they choose their path.
You are absolutely correct that both of these careers involve hard work, financial commitment, and require a level of self-confidence in order to handle being scrutinized by others. In terms of hard work, I believe that you will find the more passionate you are about something the less it feels like "work." Also, working hard and putting forth your best effort will serve you well in any career path you choose, so don't let "hard work" deter you from following your dreams.
As for the financial aspect, there are many opportunities for financial assistance to help with the cost of college/university education (including law schools and schools of arts). There are several forms of financial assistance that do not have to be paid back, including PELL grants (a financial grant from the government) and scholarships which are awarded based on need, grades, demographics, or a special skillset (athlete, musician, etc.). If you are committed to your career path, there are many options available to help with the educational costs.
In terms of taking judgment from others, when you really think about it all careers require some level of judgment from others (CEO's of large corporation, fast food workers, doctors, janitors--they all have someone judging their work). So the real task is ensuring you are self-confident enough to overcome this judgment. If you struggle with this (which, trust me, we all do to some degree), you can start working on it now in order to be prepared for whichever career you choose. Talk to your parents or school counselor about this and they may be able to provide some guidance. Also there are many books/study materials available that provide insight and guidance to building girls' self-esteem (a couple examples: "Lies Girls Believe," and "Self-Esteem: The Teen Girl's Journey to Self-Worth").
One last thing that I feel is important to remember is that by choosing one of these careers doesn't mean you cannot do the other. If you decide to become a lawyer, you can also be an actress. In college, you can major in pre-law and minor in theater. While you're in law school, your outside interest can be a community theater group (and believe me, you definitely need one outside interest when in law school---it can't take up a ton of your time, but you need to have one thing that you truly enjoy and that provides some stress relief). Once you become a lawyer, you can continue to pursue an acting career as well (by the way, if your area of focus as a lawyer is entertainment law, you may wind up meeting people who have connections in the film industry). If you decide to be an actress now and pursue that path first, you can still decide later in life to go to law school and become a lawyer (for what it's worth, I didn't start law school until I was 48 years old and didn't become a licensed attorney until I was 51 years old).
Life is not all about straight lines and rigidity, but rather learning, growing, being courageous enough to take some right turns when you want to and flexible enough to take some left turns when you have to. I wish you the best of luck in ALL your future endeavors!
You are absolutely correct that both of these careers involve hard work, financial commitment, and require a level of self-confidence in order to handle being scrutinized by others. In terms of hard work, I believe that you will find the more passionate you are about something the less it feels like "work." Also, working hard and putting forth your best effort will serve you well in any career path you choose, so don't let "hard work" deter you from following your dreams.
As for the financial aspect, there are many opportunities for financial assistance to help with the cost of college/university education (including law schools and schools of arts). There are several forms of financial assistance that do not have to be paid back, including PELL grants (a financial grant from the government) and scholarships which are awarded based on need, grades, demographics, or a special skillset (athlete, musician, etc.). If you are committed to your career path, there are many options available to help with the educational costs.
In terms of taking judgment from others, when you really think about it all careers require some level of judgment from others (CEO's of large corporation, fast food workers, doctors, janitors--they all have someone judging their work). So the real task is ensuring you are self-confident enough to overcome this judgment. If you struggle with this (which, trust me, we all do to some degree), you can start working on it now in order to be prepared for whichever career you choose. Talk to your parents or school counselor about this and they may be able to provide some guidance. Also there are many books/study materials available that provide insight and guidance to building girls' self-esteem (a couple examples: "Lies Girls Believe," and "Self-Esteem: The Teen Girl's Journey to Self-Worth").
One last thing that I feel is important to remember is that by choosing one of these careers doesn't mean you cannot do the other. If you decide to become a lawyer, you can also be an actress. In college, you can major in pre-law and minor in theater. While you're in law school, your outside interest can be a community theater group (and believe me, you definitely need one outside interest when in law school---it can't take up a ton of your time, but you need to have one thing that you truly enjoy and that provides some stress relief). Once you become a lawyer, you can continue to pursue an acting career as well (by the way, if your area of focus as a lawyer is entertainment law, you may wind up meeting people who have connections in the film industry). If you decide to be an actress now and pursue that path first, you can still decide later in life to go to law school and become a lawyer (for what it's worth, I didn't start law school until I was 48 years old and didn't become a licensed attorney until I was 51 years old).
Life is not all about straight lines and rigidity, but rather learning, growing, being courageous enough to take some right turns when you want to and flexible enough to take some left turns when you have to. I wish you the best of luck in ALL your future endeavors!
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Amorette
Kristen Bancroft
Compliance / Law
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Kristen’s Answer
Hi! I am a lawyer who also considered pursuing an acting career. Keep up with the acting, whether you pursue it professionally or not - the experience and comfort with public speaking will give you a leg up in whatever career you choose. It will certainly help with a law career, especially if you pursue litigation (like a trial lawyer).
While both careers involve a lot of scrutiny and judgment from others, you might keep in mind that the criteria are different for each. For acting, you will likely be judged on your appearance much more than for other careers. In the law, your intelligence and work effort will be a big driver of outcomes and judgment.
Someone once advised me that if you think you could be happy in any career other than acting, do that other career. Just because making a career in acting can be so discouraging.
Fortunately, you have plenty of time to decide and learn more about what is required. So keep learning about both. Best wishes!
While both careers involve a lot of scrutiny and judgment from others, you might keep in mind that the criteria are different for each. For acting, you will likely be judged on your appearance much more than for other careers. In the law, your intelligence and work effort will be a big driver of outcomes and judgment.
Someone once advised me that if you think you could be happy in any career other than acting, do that other career. Just because making a career in acting can be so discouraging.
Fortunately, you have plenty of time to decide and learn more about what is required. So keep learning about both. Best wishes!
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
148
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Amoretta: Be both! Lawyers are actors in Court and actors are lawyers when dealing with new contracts. Howard Cosell - sports caster (before your time), Ari Melber , newscaster, and Geraldo Rivera newscaster were and are all lawyers. Plus both can be fun and rewarding.
Keep up on your quest! You are doing great. These are two noble and valuable goals!
Keep up on your quest! You are doing great. These are two noble and valuable goals!