It is strange how we fall into professions. When I moved back to my hometown, I was really unsure of what I planned to do until I could get back to school and finish my degree. I tried on several different jobs, and none of them fit; that is, until I stumbled into the legal profession.
The rocky road: Not every job fits at first. My first experience was miserable. I was docked 4 days pay after only being allowed 3 days off to get married, I had to write a two-page memo asking permission to go to the doctor, my trash was dumped on my desk because I failed to shred a phone message, I was mocked because the attorney asked me for a file that happened to be empty, and the last straw was being on my hands and knees scrubbing the client bathroom. This experience taught me a valuable lesson: work hard, but don’t allow yourself to be abused.
The proverbial exit: While working at this office, I heard of an opening at another office; I quickly jumped on the opportunity to escape this humiliating servitude. At the end of the nightmare job, I thought that this may not actually be the profession for me; however, the attorney I began working for after that experience allowed me to flourish, learn, and develop my abilities. I became an indispensable member of his team.
The scenic route: I learned the ins and outs of the legal profession and gained knowledge and insight not only to the practice of law, but dealings with companies, businesses, and individuals in my own life. Knowledge of how insurance actually works, the rights of the consumer, and how to read a contract are skills that have helped me manage my personal obligations more effectively.
The long road: The legal profession is not easy. There are a lot of late nights, tons of paperwork, needy, angry clients, and needy, angry lawyers. But, with commitment to success for myself, the attorney, his clients, and the firm, I was able to really benefit everyone. I took the initiative (vitally important for any member of the legal profession) to learn as much as I could. I took on work that I had never done and taught myself how to do it. I perfected my researching and drafting skills thriving on deadlines, and I learned to diplomatically handle even the most difficult clients (all of which serve me a great deal now).
The detour: Lawyers are different. In fact, when I decided to become a high school teacher, everyone was shocked that I was willing to work with adolescents. But as I calmly explained, “after eight years being surrounded by lawyers, teenagers will be a breeze.” And I was right. I do still work for my former employer now and again to help him out and earn some additional income. When I decided to go back to school, he was gracious and giving, and even tried to talk me to into continuing my education to work with him as an attorney. He offered me so much more than just a job; my path through the legal field, offered me a real future.
Construction crew: I could never figure out if a certain type of person was attracted to the legal profession, or if the legal profession changed them into a certain type of person, but whichever came first is irrelevant. Navigating a profession surrounded by lawyers takes some real skill. They are quirky and demanding. Something no one tells you: lawyers don’t come out of law school knowing how to practice law. Who do you think educates them? Support staff. If you are easily hurt or distracted, it may not be the best choice, but if you can handle moodiness, blame, and neediness without despair, working in the legal profession can be very rewarding. And those “difficult” days offered my self and my co-workers countless hours of after work conversation and laughter.
Working in the legal profession is not easy, and it is not always fun, but there is a lot of opportunity to grow and succeed if you find the right place to belong.