Unfortunately, I was not extended a job offer, but I was given the option to stay for another three months as a temp worker or leave. I decided to leave. In hindsight, it was a dumb to leave the temp position without having a job offer, but I was pissed that I did not get a job and I did not want to work there anymore. There was so much cronyism, nepotism, and peter principle crap. I wasn't emotionally mature to stay and see the bigger picture.

Less than two months later, I was offered a full-time job as a contract negotiator (I negotiate software agreements). I was offered 60K as a base salary. I negotiated and increased it to 70K. Not bad. If I got full-time with the government contractor, my initial salary would have been 45K to 50K (but it was nonprofit so I qualify for loan forgiveness).

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3773023&forum_id=2#34514410)

I also taught myself common security assessment tools- nmap, nessus, metasploit. After a while, I was able to do some of the security assessment and writeup work for my infosec clients.

I got a break when a small law firm in my area posted a position for a 'technology lawyer'. They liked the idea of a lawyer who could also pen-test. I worked for them for a while as a lawyer- helping their clients draft policies and contracts around technology use.

I got more and more into the testing work and found that small law, even in technology paid less than a junior pentester. I applied to consulting firms and made the switch. Haven't looked back since.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3773023&forum_id=2#34514399)

Doc review for 5 years in a decade. I hustled and got a little solo experience in the first half of that decade which turned into an in house gig. Then the Great Recession and a refusal to go back to doc review - I managed retail instead. Back to doc review eventually because I needed the money. Ended up on a 2+ year gig in house which looked for all intents and purposes like a real job. During this time I sent hundreds of resumes to USA jobs (and others), was randomly selected to interview for a social services examiner position and aced the interview. Now a federal employee. The long term doc review got me the interview. The retail experience nailed the interview and got me the job. Think outside the box - you’ve got the education and experience but you’ll need something more to get out of the $30/hr doc review trap.

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(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3773023&forum_id=2#34514400)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3773023&forum_id=2#34514423)

I did doc review for 3 years then I applied for an accelerated nursing program, it took 16months (4 semesters) including summer semester. I finished this May, took the licensing exam and accepted an offer in August at a hospital making $28/hr day shift, $35/hr night shift before overtime.Overtime is time and a half. Full benefits. I work 3 nights a week, 12hr shifts. With time I will add one or two more shifts in order to score overtime but for now I am just getting used to it and not trying to do too much.

I work with people who look at me like I have a third eye when they learn I went to law school. I don't talk about it much. Sometimes it feels like I am a quitter. Sometimes if feels like I could have tried harder to put my JD and license to good use.But for the most part for now I am content, and if it is meant to be I am sure my career path will veer towards law again in whatever capacity.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3773023&forum_id=2#34514441)