Should I drop out of Law post-grad (Bar Course) in the UK and come back to Malaysia with no prospects/ plan ?
I'm a Malaysian student (21) and have just started the Bar training course in London to become a certified lawyer in the UK and back in Malaysia.
However, I am thinking of dropping out now.
The reason is that I am completely lost in life, depressed, and I hate law. I was forced to study law in undergrad and hated it. However, I thought I could push through one more year and just finish Bar school and be a qualified lawyer. But now that I'm here, I have been feeling so depressed, lost and lonely. I've been crying everyday, not eating and can't even get myself to do the things I like.
However, dropping out and moving back to Malaysia is also difficult.
Essentially, I already have sunk costs in school fees and such and I am already renting a flat with a friend doing the course as well. More importantly, I have no plan for when I go back. In terms of jobs, I can't apply for any technical roles that require a background in STEM or finance, and I graduated with a 2:2 (missed 2:1 by less than a mark). The only thing helping me is that I came from a top 10 UK law school and have an objectively strong CV.
I'm not feeling confident as I have repeatedly applied for jobs back in Msia with my current CV and, at the time, with a 2:1, and have not had any luck. Moreover, I'm interested in consulting, and the market for entry-level consulting back home is incredibly small. I have known certain recruiters in existing firms back home who admitted this as well. Additionally, I have not been able to rely on any connections, as many firms are trying to move away from that now to appear more "egalitarian". Lastly, I am also not interested in any admin, marketing or sales roles and also would not pursue a master's in other fields.
Overall, the decision just seems to be the lesser of two evils now.
If I continue the Bar, it gives me more of a safety net, as I can still leverage law as a niche and work at a law firm and pivot later. However, I've been so depressed that I can't even study and feel so lost and sad. Moreover, I don't have a strong support system in London that could make this difficult journey a little more bearable.
However, if I go home, it seems like there isn't a very strong likelihood of me landing a decent job.
And I can't help feeling like a failure or being mentally weak by quitting. Moreover, I am still a high achiever and honestly do have a lot to offer skill-wise, and also won't do any random job for the sake of it. Going home would be more of a break for me, to have a support system and to reset and figure out the next move.
I would appreciate any advice or insight on what you would do. Additionally, your experience or opinions on the Job Market in KL. Thank you!
(Note: a 2:1 is usually the minimum grade requirement that companies accept. Additionally, I have to decide within the next month, logistically speaking)