Hi,
I have a B.A. in Political Science from a top 40 US undergrad (graduated six years ago cum laude), and just received a JD from a T100 law school. I plan to take the bar and I have a clerkship for the year but I do not want to practice law afterwards. I always knew law school was a mistake but I decided after my first year that it wasn't worth dropping out. My interests are in political science/economy with a concentration in labor/employment, although I have other interests. More specifically, I am interested in European politics. I want to teach and do research.
I won't seek a Masters in the US due to the cost and also because I want to eventually settle in a European country. I have UK citizenship which I know makes things complicated on mainland Europe after Brexit.
The question isn't "if" I want to leave law but "when." I know if I go this route, I'll take a salary cut by seeking a Masters in Europe but it is something I am fine with due to my ultimate ambitions to teach and conduct research. I also know law will not get me to where I want to be because a JD is not a research degree. For what it's worth, I wasn't going to make big bucks in the US as a lawyer, I would be a lawyer only in the public sector due to student loan forgiveness.
I could start this process next year (Fall 2021) after a year of salary or wait longer (3-10 years). The latter could be less financially risky but I'm afraid that waiting so long into my legal career, would create a sense of comfort, and ultimately I would not pursue my dreams.
Does anyone have insight regarding Masters/Phd in Europe (e.g. UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, etc)?
Is the job market just as rough as in the US?
Would a PhD make the most sense after this type of Masters?
Would it make sense to work only a year out of law school or longer before going back to school?
Will my JD be any worth to top European Political Science programmes?
Thank you.
