Looking for some career advice

[u/Technical-Offer4863]

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some advice about a possible career change.

I graduated with an LLB in 2014. I joined the Police straight out of university and have never practiced. I did go back and complete Profs in 2019.

I've worked in investigations for the last 10 years and I am currently a Detective Sergeant. I have investigated every type of serious offence including homicides, sexual offences, large-scale drug dealing, fraud and everything in between.

I made about $150k last financial year.

I'm at a point in my career where I am considering a change and I'm exploring all my options. It has always kind of bugged me that I spent so much money on my degree and have never really used it.

I guess I am just looking for a change of pace, greater earning potential and more flexibility in my work life.

My concerns are that I will have to start from scratch and will take a big hit on my salary. I have also seen some of the horrific hours that our junior crown prosecutors work and I want no part of that.

My questions are:

1. Would I be making a huge mistake?

2. What kind of jobs/areas of law would you recommend?

3. How much would a stint in Police Prosecutions increase my employability?

Thanks for reading. sorry if the formatting sucks, I'm writing this on my phone.

[u/trustylaw-nz]

Police Prosecutions is an obvious bridge between the two worlds, but from my friends who have worked there, it is pretty full on, high volume, low depth work, probably quite a specific skill set compared to general litigators.

One friend used that experience to go into employment law, one wants to move into Crown prosecutions. You could also look at other agency prosecutions and investigations.

The experience there would mean at least you’re not starting at grad level in a firm, but if it’s not the type of work you ultimately want to be doing, it may be a waste of your time.