Most class of 2019 law grads are satisfied with their jobs, but debt still affects life choices, new study says
According to a new report by the National Association for Law Placement and the NALP Foundation, information was gathered on employment and satisfaction three years after graduation from 1,927 law grads who graduated from 42 U.S. law schools in 2019. Image from Shutterstock.
Forty-seven percent of class of 2019 law graduates are “extremely satisfied” with their current job, up from 42% of class of 2018 graduates who were surveyed a year ago, according to a new report by the National Association for Law Placement and the NALP Foundation.
Another 38% of class of 2019 law grads were “somewhat satisfied,” according to the Study of Law School Alumni Employment & Satisfaction. The study gathered information on employment and satisfaction three years after graduation from 1,927 law grads who graduated from 42 U.S. law schools in 2019, according to a July 19 press release.
Only 13% of class of 2019 law grads were actively seeking a new job, which is a historically low rate. Seventy-one percent of law grads have had two or more sequential positions since graduation, however. Among those who had more than one position, 62% identified the reason as “better compensation/bonuses,” while 42% said the reason was “attitude ‘fit’ concerns.”
Despite high satisfaction levels, the percentage of class of 2019 graduates who reported negative effects from the COVID-19 pandemic was at an all-time high. Overall, 39% said the pandemic continues to have a negative impact on their mental health and well-being, up from 31% in the prior class. When breaking down the result by sex, an even higher percentage of women—44%—reported continued negative impact.
Nearly one-third said the pandemic had a negative effect on loan repayment. Average educational debt was $105,546, while median educational debt was $90,000.
Graduates reported that debt levels influenced their job and life choices, including decisions to delay home buying, when to have children and in what sector to work.
The report is available for purchase at this link.
