Hey yall,
I just finished my first year as a regulatory associate in the midwest. There is an opening for a position with the state governmental agency that regulates our industry and before which I have participated in many proceedings. It pays about 115k and they have a hybrid schedule.
My only hang ups are these: (1) 140k in federal loan debt (2) looking like I couldn’t handle the hours (it’s true, I can’t, my health/happiness has declined) (3) shutting myself off to better exits later
I am married, no kids yet, but my wife has encouraged me to look at non biglaw jobs. We rent a cheap apartment and drive modest cars, one of which is paid off. She has significant student loans too, however, and I have been using my salary to help pay hers off.
Are there other factors I should be considering? If I don’t think I want to come back to biglaw, am I losing anything (other than money) by leaving now?