Unskilled Jobs Outside of North America?

[DuffMan]

My cousin worked in an orphanage in India for awhile, you could try that.

[Tron_fdc]

http://govoluntouring.com/

is another one.

[Muta]

Time, freedom and low stress is the new money, IMO.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

You're a lawyer?

Plays one on CP.

[core_upt]

I'd use your education to leverage your move abroad. Do you ahve to be local to review files and such? If your current firm is international. maybe you can work on the same projects out of another office?
I moved to Sweden for a year to go to school when I was 29/30. It was great, but a large part of the experience was having money to travel and do things when we wanted to. Being somewhere foreign is great, but even better when you have the cash to immerse yourself as a local would. Some of my class mates were pretty tight on funds and while I'm sure they dont' regret going, I don't think they had the same experience I did!

[worth]

Congratulations! I hope to be in your position at the end of the year, i'm 29. Let us know how it turns out.

In reality, I wouldn't mind working at a surf shop on the other side of the world for a while. That sounds like a nice change of pace.

[sun]

Congrats dude. A+ choice and I hope you find happiness.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Yeah I was going to mention this too. I think I know five people that have done this. Still think about doing it myself.

From what my friend says, he strongly recommends it. Married a Japanese girl too and brought her back to Canada.

However, don't go over there thinking it will be just like Canada - is isn't. If you want to travel to a Canada clone, go to Australia.

[Azure]

Sounds like you need a long vacation. Long as in 3 weeks.

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by valo403

I'll second this, it may just be a matter of changing your position within the industry, not the industry itself. If you're at a big firm maybe move to a small one or look in house. Sometimes that doesn't change things, but you never know. Perhaps look for a way to utilize your skills to bring something new to a completely different area, maybe one that's not dominated by legal/engineering think but could benefit from some of that.

I've definitely been in your shoes (well without taking the step of leaving my job) and can relate to the desire to just go far far away and do something like rent surf boards on the beach. It sounds amazing, but the reality might not live up to it. On the other hand, I worked with a guy who left law to become a spin class instructor and meditation teacher. Ran into him the other day and he's about the happiest guy I've ever met (not even high, I don't think) and doing well enough financially to be comfortable.

Yeah, OP, you may end up doing what I did after a year and just going back to being a lawyer again (but with a new perspective). Try something totally different - like prosecution - and you may find yourself doing something you enjoy without sacrificing your education and experience (and income). There are some areas of law that are less suicide-inducing than the stuff you've been up to. Commercial / IP? Gag...

Feel free to PM me if you want my perspective, since it sounds like you're at a similar point to where I was a while back. There's quite a bit to consider.

[ignite09]

Genuinely curious as too what is motivating this decision. A complete lifestyle change sounds like one hell of a decision to have too make.

[ignite09]

Sounds like the other posters who've made a decision like this are lawyer types. Is there a general lack of professional satisfaction in that field?

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by blankall

I would look into consulting jobs. I'd also look into going back to school for another degree. If your serious about moving abroad, a local degree from the UK would go a long way. I'm talking about getting a 1-2 year master's program. Not another 3+ year degree.

Just my opinion, but someone who has an engineering degree, a law degree, and is burned out by 31 probably doesn't have "not enough time spent in University" on their list of biggest problems.

[theg69]

I applaud you for taking this gigantic leap and wish you all the best.

The wife is a lawyer and I can definitely see how it wears on her some days. The pay is not as good as the public perceives (esp junior associates at a mid size firm), the hours are ridiculously long (she works about 50+ hours a week and that's nothing compared to lawyers at bigger firms), and public perception is not exactly glowing towards lawyers.

I suspect she will end up finding a government job at some point but I can totally see how that lifestyle can burn someone out.

Once again, good luck and keep us informed how it goes!

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by ignite09

Genuinely curious as too what is motivating this decision. A complete lifestyle change sounds like one hell of a decision to have too make.

Basically, I got sick of wishing my life away. Every weekday was spent counting down the hours until the weekend, and most weekends were spent in the office counting down the hours until the next free weekend which rarely ever came. That's no way to live, and after considering it for about a year I finally decided to make a change.

Originally Posted by flylock shox

Yeah, OP, you may end up doing what I did after a year and just going back to being a lawyer again (but with a new perspective). Try something totally different - like prosecution - and you may find yourself doing something you enjoy without sacrificing your education and experience (and income). There are some areas of law that are less suicide-inducing than the stuff you've been up to. Commercial / IP? Gag...

You're probably right and I know that blankall and valo's advice is good about finding a job where I can use my legal education whether or not I'm working as a lawyer. That's probably what I'll end up doing eventually, but I figure I have the opportunity to experience something different now, so I'll enjoy my time off and reevaluate somewhere down the line.

[ignite09]

Wow, you got balls my friend. Honestly hope this works out for you.

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by gargamel

You're probably right and I know that blankall and valo's advice is good about finding a job where I can use my legal education whether or not I'm working as a lawyer. That's probably what I'll end up doing eventually, but I figure I have the opportunity to experience something different now, so I'll enjoy my time off and reevaluate somewhere down the line.

Take the chance while you can. Just remember, you can escape your life for awhile, but you'll have to change your life to be happy in the long run.

I don't regret any of the time I took off from lawyering, but you've got to have a home to come back to eventually, and you've got to make your life at home as good as it can be. Otherwise you'll just be looking for another escape in a couple of years.

That said, there's a big wide wonderful world out there that you should get to know better while you can. I hope you enjoy it!

[SeoulFire]

I don't have anything negative to say about this at all. I left a securities firm when I was 28 to go experience something different—for one year. 10 years later (with multiple certs and a nearly complete MA) I returned to Canada with a wife, but really did not like it at all. Made the call to go back to Seoul and here I am...now working at a securities firm.

Go figure.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Just my opinion, but someone who has an engineering degree, a law degree, and is burned out by 31 probably doesn't have "not enough time spent in University" on their list of biggest problems.

I'm 32 and have a science and law degree as well. If the chance to take a degree I was passionate about came along, I wouldn't hesistate. I didn't like my science or law degrees, and I'd still go back to school if the perfect program came along. Another farctor is the older you get, the harder it becomes to go to school. You have a lot more options when you don't have commitments like chidren.

[GGG]

My brother worked on a dive boat in Austrailia. He started working in the kitchen and eventually became a dive guide. Lived on the boat with no expenses and got paid a marginal wage, tips, and free diving.

That was his favorite of his jobs over there which were cell phone telemarketer, bar tender, waiter, and dishwasher.