Stick it out at this job, or call it quits and find another job back home?

I am a 1st year attorney currently working at a small firm in LA. I moved here last summer to get away from family distractions so I can focus on studying for the bar.

I am debating on how long I should stay.

I have discovered that I don't like living here. This isn't where I ultimately want to settle down. I think often of moving back home.

My current job doesn't pay very well and there's no benefits, but I am getting experience. But my commute really sucks. In the morning, it takes me 1.5 hours, and the evening can take 1-3 hours to get home. Rent is much more expensive where the office is. Also, my boss is moody, and sometimes I question the way he practices law.

I feel isolated here. I work at a small firm, and I'm not near where I went to school, I don't meet many people. If I were to change jobs, I would want to work for a larger firm, where I have to chance to socialize with coworkers my age

I am thinking of leaving in May, as I already have plans for a vacation then.

I'm not sure that it's possible to find another job before leaving this one. If I were to change jobs, I would want to find one back home in San Jose. Also, I would have worked for this firm for less than a year, and I've only been admitted for a couple of months. I've never searched for a job at a distance before, and I'm not sure that a firm would be willing to hire me with less than a year experience and my limited ability to fly back for an interview.

If I were you , I would stick it out for just a tad over a year. In the meantime, I would live lean and mean and try save every dime. The experience is what you are trying to get. Keep a log of all your work, cases, etc., so that you can demonstrate your experience. Remember you want just facts, and examples, not names.

Meantime start doing the research on another job. Look for jobs near where you want to settle downm or face the bar. Sending resumes today is not difficult. Worry about getting to the interview if you get one!

If you quit early, before the year is up, well, it may not look good. You want to look good.

You won't be staying where you are for a decade. You only need to laset out some 14 months. Then you can say: "Well, I did my best." You will also be able to tell potential employers that you met all your obligations.

OH: Do not mention the part about your opinions as to how your boss practices law to anyone. Some people are bound to take that wrong. That, counselor, is considered to be attorney-client priviledge! It is also more professional. And yah, the guy is moody. Well, you can do better than that. Look at his good points, imitate those. Look at his bad traits. He is teaching you how not to behave!

Someday, in a few years, when you are rich, famous, powerful, etc, I expect you to recall my advice, and mention it, either as a Judge, or in yur Campaign for Governor someplace!

Hang in there! I have 52 years of experience, so I think that maybe, my advice might be worth considering!

Hang in there. It looks darkest before the dawn. Since travel time is one of your bugaboos, let me shove in some more advice:

1) Could you make this tiem productive in your studies?

2) Can't you look around for a slightly better, slightly shorter trip time appartment, between home and work? You don't have to live next door, just somewhere where the trip time is shorter.

Good luck. Hang in there. In the meantime, well, you can blow off some steam here, where it is safe.

Don't leave until you have another position......then get out. Looks like you want to be close to home. Nothing wrong with that...don't wait til its to late....sounds to me you know what you need to do........good luck

No benefits? Start looking for another job.

i don't have as much education i'm in nursing i think this is on same level as far as ehtics i hear your heart and life is not what your living go home finish if its truley what you want but your home not big city just ppl you grew up with