Zag

Okay, secret's out. I was in New York City yesterday, talking to some guys about a job. For the last month or so I've had the rising feeling that it is time to zag from my current path, and am exploring possibilities from whatever direction they come. This one's kind of out of left field -- a non-law job, that would require me to relocate, although not to New York City.

Today I was going down the hall to come clean with the Big Guy, when Partner W stopped me and asked me to come into her office. "How are you? I mean, I'm very sad myself, but I'm really worried about you." she asked, pointedly. She was talking about the fact that Co-Worker gave her notice on Friday, and Co-Worker is a very good pal of mine. I said, "yes, well, hmm, I was just about to have this conversation with the Big Guy...." and told her I was feeling a pull and am actively exploring my own options, and felt that the partners should know this as they make arrangements to accomodate for Co-Worker's departure. She called in the Big Guy and a surprisingly easy conversation ensued, about my progress here and my interests and some of the things that don't appeal to me that much on the path ahead, to the extent I can see it.

As always, they were kind and encouraging and responsive. There is a place for me here, if I want it. I feel relieved to have been candid with them about the doubts I have, both about whether I want to keep practicing law at all, and whether I want to do so here. And now I can be candid with you. I am in career exploration mode. What do you think I should consider? All ideas, advice, and suggestions will be given full deliberation.

Comments

[Balasubramani]

WOW, it's sort of out of left field that you are exploring alternate (non-law) career options. I think your readership may be more taken back than the Big People at your office.

I don't really have an answer to your question as far as specifics. [I myself am in continual career search mode.] The important question I am addressing right now is whether I want money, a career path, a passion, or an alternate career with time in the sun. To me these translate into: not sure, B school (maybe in London or somewhere like that), restaurant/cookbook/cooking, or doing small scale contract work on my laptop from the deck/beach/otherwise in the sun.

Right now I'm on autopilot . . . . Good luck!

[UCL]

Ditto to Balasubramani! Your post had me floored. I will be a poor source of ideas for you, because I am in love with the law and can't imagine myself doing anything else. But maybe that does help you somewhat: whatever you choose to do, you should feel passionate about it. If law doesn't make you feel that way, maybe a non-law career is best for you.

I have a few friends around the country who dropped out of lawyering, successfully. One went on to get a master's degree in public administration at an Ivy League school, and ended up first at the White House and then the office of a certain well-known Senator as an economic advisor. Another just began a brand new career in consulting, in the oil and gas industry (assisting in environmental regulatory issues).

There is a book out there, somewhere, on non-law jobs for JDs. I'm sure you can find it on Amazon. Maybe it'd be worth your while to check out.

[win]

Sail the lifted tack, avoid the corners. Go fast; it is the LORD's passover.

[Richard Ames]

Well, without knowing those aspects of the law you dislike, it's difficult to offer alternative suggestions. I should say that very few attorneys I know, including myself, have never questioned whether the law is something they want to do "forever." In my early days of practice I felt very strongly many times that I wanted out. During those years I felt extremely anxious because I felt I wasn't up to speed on what I should know about the law. Every other lawyer seemed to me to know more than I did about what to do, when to do it, and how. I wasn't used to feeling so inadequate and it drove me nutty. In fact, it was bad enough to drive me into a fairly severe drinking problem. That was almost 10 years ago now. I feel comfortable now not knowing things, and I've gained a lot of necessary experience. I work for myself, which can have enormous benefits (ok, and some extraordinary responsibilities, too). Anyway, I applaud your honesty with yourself, but just be certain that you don't have an image of that alternative career that just isn't true. Maybe zag in a tiny way, at first, and not in some whopping big ziggy zaggy whiddershins.

[ML]

Your blogging shows a fine sensitivity to audience. This is a gift that can go a long way in writing and speaking. For the person with built-in antennae for audience, writing makes a connection at a distance, while speaking (or giving workshops, etc.) makes immediate connection. Seems like a job that involves presentation/public speaking would just be a ratcheting-up of blogging.

[Autumn]

I agree with your mom. Write, speak, touch lives like only you can. I'd add one piece of advice: Go West. Head to the land of big sky, big mountains, and big ideas. Not to mention, a big breakfast waiting for you every morning and big gin and tonic every afternoon.

[Jim]

Great news!

I think having a good job is one factor--not the only or the most important one, but still a big factor--in being happy. And I'd define a good job as one that you'd like to continue even if you were offered a nice retirement deal. If you think you haven't found that yet, then you're incredibly smart to start looking for alternatives now. (And if you're thinking of leaving the law, I'd suggest looking at Bachman, Law v. Life, which I mentioned in a comment to another post.)

[moresilent]

hey S, didn't you have a friend down south that needs you to help with moving/settling in to an apartment?
maybe you should help figure that out as part of your "figure yourself out" process

i think it could help

maybe you need an adventure before deciding

[transmogriflaw]

Having left one career already for law school, I appreciate the thought that goes into that sort of decision. It is difficult, but interesting at the same time. I think the time frame was similar (I was in engineering for approximately 7 years before I left).

One suggestion I have before jumping into a new job: request and take a leave of absence for a few months. I had a two month sabbatical that I used to bounce ideas around. I found it was hard to think clearly about work when I was surrounded by it every day. Taking time off (I traveled through Central America, but you can do whatever you want) is excellent for building perspective. A good friend of mine who was considering leaving law did the same thing and he found it valuable as well.

Email me if you would like more details about how I approached the process and what I did. The entire change (from when I started considering it to when I started law school) was about 2.5 years for me.

T.

[Dave]

I have a slightly different take on Jim's comment. Rather than something "you'd like to continue even if you were offered a nice retirement deal," I think that a good job is something you would do for free if you had no monetary concerns. For me, I would be a lawyer--nothing else seems to combine the analysis, the problem solving, the interaction with people, the counseling, and the overall "I get to help other people for a living" feeling.

I know this sounds like something out of Office Space ("What you would do if you had a million dollars?" "I would do nothing."), but it holds some truth to me. If you were independently wealthy and had all of your necessary comforts (car included), what would you do to occupy your days?

Whatever your answer to that question, see if someone will pay you to do it.

That's my two cents.

[Carolyn Elefant]

Honestly, I don't think you should have said anything to your firm about your job search. I made a similar mistake long ago and within 6 months, I found that I was no longer with the option to remain at the firm. I don't doubt that the lawyers at your firm are considerate and supportive, but law practice, like any other place of employment is a business. My fear in your situation is that if the firm finds others who can replace the departing co-worker and you sooner rather than later, they will do so at your expense.
As for future options, leaving the law may prove to be the right decision but it's a somewhat irrevocable path. I think if you leave now for a non-legal spot it will be tough to make your way back in if that's what you choose. Since I don't know you or your passion, my suggestion would either be to sample something law related but completely different from what you're doing now and see how you like it. Or else an in-house counsel job where you'd become familiar with a whole range of issues and also make decisions based not just on legal considerations but business as well. Plus, in-house counsel get to boss around hired counsel so the job is somewhat empowering.
Kudos to you for exploring options, however. I often wish that I had explored my career options more thoroughly when I had the flexibility to do so; now I am more entrenched in my field and limited with my girls so I feel that my options are narrowing but I too am not giving up on exploring.