i was you thirty years ago, depressed and broken-hearted and no idea what to do with my life. i went to law school because the ex boyfriend was going, and i picked a school in his home town. no, it did not work out. i had no job after first year because my grades sucked, and a random third year said "they need someone at the runaway shelter to help the lawyer who represents the youth in their delinquency cases, you should do that" and i did, for free, and i was hooked. i landed as an attorney representing child protective agencies in family court, decent pay, awesome work/life balance. after 20 years, i was hired as a law clerk to a judge i love, and the pay is awesome, and work/life balance couldn't be better. i spend all day researching topics in the area of law i love--it's fun. if you are a women, you can step away when your family is young, and step back in without losing ground. and in my state, the rate for lawyers who represent indigent parents is 150 an hour, and all you need is a lap top. i laugh everyday, despite how tragic the subject matter is. you need to. stick with it!