Star Student-Athlete's Dilemma: Should He Play Pro Tennis or Go to Harvard Law School?
Faced with a career dilemma, Blake Strode obviously has little to complain about:
A star student as well as a star athlete, he was recently admitted to Harvard Law School just as his professional tennis career is potentially about to take off. So now he must decide whether to continue with his work on the court or spend three years studying for a potential job in a courtroom, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Ranked 510th in the world, the 23-year-old already knows that playing tennis for a living is hard work. But those who have graduated from law school might wonder, does Strode understand what he will be up against not only at HLS but afterward? Jobs are hard-won right now in a difficult legal economy, although of course Strode might have a significant advantage if he pursues a career in which his knowledge and experience as a professional athlete is a plus.
Strode is planning to participate in the U.S. Open qualifying rounds this month and enter a few more tournaments afterward before making a final decision in February about whether to attend law school. But it sounds as though he’s leaning toward being a legal eagle:
“From an early age, I’ve understood fairness and justice and how important that is to a society,” he tells the newspaper. “So many important decisions come from a court of law. I know it’s part of my future.”
Readers, what do you think? Should Strode continue with his pro tennis career or go to HLS?
