Here's my story. I finished my M.S. in Computer Science last year. I've started full time employment. It's going pretty good, but I've found myself not knowing what to do with myself when I don't have the deadlines and pressures that come with school. Also, I find myself missing the sense of working towards something. I've been thinking that I need to go back to school and have been leaning heavily towards law school. I've been interested in this for a long time. I find myself following much that the EFF does and would like to be able to do technology law along those lines.
1. Explain to me why I should or should not follow this line of reasoning any further.
2. What are some good ways to discover for myself if this is a good idea?
3. If I do decide this is right for me, where do I get started on the process?
4. If not law school, what should I do to keep myself from becoming another white collar burnout?
People succeed in answering Buddy Vernon's questions 25% of the time (1 success in 4 attempts).
Answers by: nerkles | Jake McArthur | jer | Dave
1. Explain to me why I should or should not follow this line of reasoning any further.
My vote: Don't do it. What you're looking for is the freedom of not being "locked in" to a white-collar career and still have the ease of having your work defined for you (which was previously homework). School/college provided this, so you want to go back. However, that is a temporary solution, and you need to look beyond school to meet your long-term needs.
2. What are some good ways to discover for myself if this is a good idea?
First, read the article "How to Discover Your Life Purpose in About 20 Minutes" at stevepavlina.com
Feel free to read much more of that site if you're interested, as it'll help in a number of ways. Once you've found your life purpose, you'll be better equipped to decide what choices will help you fulfill that purpose and/or mission.
3. If I do decide this is right for me, where do I get started on the process?
N/A
4. If not law school, what should I do to keep myself from becoming another white collar burnout?
For this one, you'll want to read up on paulgraham.com
Your CS background makes you a good candidate for starting your own company, so long as you're smart and are able to stay committed. You'll be empowered to make choices and have a certain degree of freedom, while still setting yourself up with real, achieveable goals and objectives.
Keep in mind, you may still choose to go to law school, etc. but you'll do so with a lot more self-confidence if you check out the sites & articles I mentioned.