Class of 2026: You Can Get a Job, Be a Solopreneur and You Don't Have to Go to Law School

A hot news item - bad news sells - is the dismal job forecast for your BA/BS Class of 2026. 

But as an experienced intuitive career coach and tarot-reader I assure you this: That's not destiny. In fact, for those of you willing to leap out of the box you've been wedged into since nursery school, you could not only be working but be on your way to building wealth.

As I said, you have to be willing to go the career journey less traveled. And you can start creating your resume for that right now. That's the beauty of these out-of-the-box ways to earn a good living. Today is the first day of your career.

One path is being a nanny to the financially comfortable. BusinessInsider, a platform focused on pragmatism, salutes that well-paying job, filled with upscale living and perks like yacht travel. Also, what I know from coaching is that it can be a stepping stone into other kinds of work. That's because your well-connected employers can spot your strengths, mentor you and open doors. 

To prepare, sign up in the placement office or at a job board for freelance childcare assignments. On weekends when your schedule is free from attending classes you can work in a childcare facility. Take courses on first-aid and CPR. If you discover you are a natural in this niche it's worth your investment to become certified as a nanny. 

Another lucrative path is being a residential cleaner for the upper-class. That can pay $100,000 annually. Obviously you need a resume full of two things: hands-on experience and specialized knowledge of what procedures, equipment and chemicals in products are required to manage the settings and expensive furniture, art work and more you will have to maintain. The role is almost like being a mueum curator. If your gigs tell you the cleaning work suits you then you probably will move on to getting insured and bonded. 

Since the demand for professional residential cleaners at the high end is growing, open for you is eventually starting a business in which you contract out assignments. You might create a brand strong enough for you to fanchise your model.

That brings me to the self-employment route. Right now in the dorm, like myriad Babson students, you can launch your enterprise. The popular mode is being a solopreneur. You have no full-time employees, no payroll and no partners. About 77 percent earn a profit their first year. Startup costs could be under $5,000.

For many reasons, I am not a fan of the old default of going to law school instead of going out there and working/founding a business. (I had attended Harvard Law School.)

Too well-known is the prediction of the chair of elite law firm Paul, Weiss - Brad Karp - that AI will significantly reduce the demand for junior lawyers. Even if you're lucky enough to get that first job after law school the odds are against keeping it.  Of course, America will always need lawyers. Only fewer of them. Much of the tasks and even the strategy can be automated.

To Karp's dire prediction has been added something even worse. That is, Private Equity firms could wind up taking over parts of law firms. Then, eventually, as ownership of law firms by non-lawyers becomes permitted, the whole firm.  

Law firm McDermott Will is considering allowing PE to invest in the non-lawyering part of the firm. That could take the form of PE being responsible for back-office operations. 

It's documented that when PE moves in there can be not only myriad jobs eliminated. Wages can also go down.

Paste on your bathroom mirror: AI + PE = employment insecurity in law. That isn't restricted to junior lawyers. 

For its entry level associate jobs this year Latham hired 400+. It is training them in AI. So, what will happen to the employment of those hires is uncertain. 

So, here you are. You can be bursting with hope for a lucrative career and wealth. If you want to sort things out and get your ducks in a row I provide complimentary consultations. After that, if you sense working together for several sessions will be useful, fees are customized for your unique budget. Please arrange an appointment with me Jane Genova at janegenova374@gmail.com or voice/text at 203-468-8579. No pressure.