Happy 5 Years!

Five years ago today, I took a massive risk and made a huge change in my life. I left the law firm where I was practicing law and decided to change career paths. I was scared (out of my mind) but knew I didn't like the direction my life/career was headed. Admittedly, I also felt like I'd failed in some regards...which was really disappointing. I knew I hadn't, but it felt like I'd failed at something I thought I'd love doing.

Anyway, while leaving the firm was a massive risk since I had no job and therefore no income, I decided not to apply at any other law firms for awhile. I knew I could probably find SOMETHING in a law firm at some point...even just doing legal research and making enough to get by until something better came along. But I told myself to take a risk instead...which is something I don't do easily. I wanted to give myself a little time to see what else was out there that I might enjoy doing.

My mom called every day with law contacts from church, work, etc. And I thanked her, but refused to call any of them. She probably thought I was having a nervous breakdown..haha... Actually, I'm confident that's what she thought.

Anyway, I started thinking about things I loved about the law and about things I didn't. I loved writing. And I loved working with people. And I loved research, analysis of facts, the art of persuasion in writing/arguments, and legislative issues. I started thinking about positions I'd held within organizations in college that I loved...and almost all of them came back to some sort of public relations, writing, recruiting.

Well, that was all great, but I had no idea what to do with any of that. In retrospect, it makes TOTAL sense that I am now working in Communications/PR, and have been in this field since I left the practice of law. But back then, I was a girl with a law license, a lot of school debt, and no business contacts. All my professional contacts were lawyers at that point. So, I set out to make some contacts.

When recruiters heard the word "lawyer," they quickly transferred me to to the legal department, even though I said I didn't want to do that. It became really frustrating. There was often a TOTAL disconnect between myself and many of the corporate recruiters/companies.

I ended up at a job fair at my alma mater...just to talk to some people and see what was out there. As I was preparing to leave, after two hours of shaking hands, learning about companies, etc, a recruiter started visiting with me. I really liked what he had to say, but they had no opportunities I would have been interested in...until he called me a week later. To make a long story short, I took my first non-legal job as a communications strategist for a national insurance company two months after I left the practice of law. (I know; I'm weird that I don't name my employers on my blog). After three extremely rewarding years of working there, I moved to a similar role at a financial institution (where I am now), but I will always think of that recruiter and that job as some of the best things that ever happened to me. :) (As an aside, I still keep my law license current... I mean.. I earned it, right? And you never know...)

So this was a rant, but I just can't believe it's been 5 years! I actually had another blog back then (I started blogging WAY back in the day), but I ended up starting this one after I left the firm for a variety of reasons. I just went back and revisited the first post I ever wrote on this blog and thought I'd post it below. :) (So I guess this is sort of a happy birthday to my blog, too..haha). :)

Being a "real" person....:) 4/09/2007

When I graduated law school, someone once humorously said:

"How does it feel to be a REAL person now?!"

Maybe I should have felt like a "real" person.. coming of age..graduating..blah blah...etc.. but in reality, I was totally dreading it. I had NO idea what I was doing.. as all of you know. I felt like, while I had a GREAT job and a GREAT opportunity there, my passion for it had totally died..at least in terms of that job. I kept praying it would come back...but it never really did. So, here I am.. about a year later.. and I resigned from my employer last week. Those of you who know me, know the whole story from beginning to end....from May to now and know I'm not exactly a quitter...even when I'm miserable...All in all, I was there 4 years and now, after the shock of a lifetime in resigning from my job for many reasons, I am truly starting to feel like that "real" person that someone alluded to last year. :) I'm pretty freaked out, but hey... everything happens for a reason, right?! :) So, chin up on my end....and prepare to read about my job search on your end!

I got tired of my blog being easily found on google.. and also of having to be rather g-rated since lots of people had the address (at my former employer especially). So, while you shouldnt prepare yourself for any triple x ratings, I can finally speak more freely! :)