[SouthOfNoNorth]

what was it about the legal field and law school that turned you off? i have a buddy that made it through law school and the bar, got his first job at a place (after some trying times) and found out it was a terrible, hostile place to work. basically all of the lawyer stereotypes, agressive behaviour, terrible pay, backstabbing, humiliation, all of the bad. he hated it, and after a while was forced to resign if he wouldn't put in even more hours than he was already working. he went through about a year of unemployment (pittsburgh is bad for law since there are three schools here and the competition is tough) and finally got a job as in house counsel for a bank. it's the best job he's ever had, he's told me. none of the pressure of the other kind of environment.

the reason i ask is, like you said, there are a lot of opportunities for a person with your education that aren't strictly law. in house counsel is just one of them. have you thought about getting an mba? might make you more attractive for a business position, and a person with those kinds of qualifications would be formidable in the business world. i feel for you though, the first job is always the hardest. engineering is the same way, take it from me. good luck to you, and keep your chin up.