Another work week is almost over, and I'm still trying to build a more positive perspective on my life. New season should mean new Stella. Spring symbolizes renewal and growth. I know a need to take a cue, but it's harder said than done.
You know what else is harder said than done? Starting my own practice. I ran into a couple acquaintances yesterday during lunch. One of them revealed he'd been laid off recently. My heart really went out to him, especially because he has two very adorable little girls to support. Still, he's been down this road a few times already, and he's always been able to get back on his feet before. He asked how I was doing, and the inevitable, if I was working yet. When I said I was still searching, he asked, "Why don't you just do your own thing?"
I'm going to be honest. I hate when people suggest that I start my own practice. No thank you, it's not for me. People not in law always ask as if it's the simplest solution to my unemployment dilemma. It's not that I'm lazy, but like any other business, opening a practice is not easy breezy! Where would I get the capital to do that? Not to mention, law school hasn't prepared me to do jack squat on my own. I don't even know what field I would practice, because again, law school doesn't really teach the practice of law. It only makes a feeble attempt to teach the black letter law.
I got all bent out of shape after that conversation. That's what I've been like all week - all bent and distorted. Another suggestion that I could really do without is, "Why don't you just pick up a hobby?" My friend, who's taking her sweet time in law school (I think she's on her 6th year...I lost count) suggested that I attempt a mini marathon. [Insert eyes rolling here.] Stella doesn't run. I speak in third person to emphasis this fact.
I've heard a slew of "why don't you just..." or "why not try..." lines. In his desperation, Mr. O asked if I wanted to go back to school. Any school. I gave him the look of death. Then we both laughed.
I keep reminding myself, be positive, be positive. BE FREAKIN POSITIVE! I don't think it helps that I yell in my mind. I'm trying to shake off the "what's the point" attitude I've had lately while sending out resumes. Negative vibes! I don't want them to be transferred with my emails.
So yes. Still working on it. In the meantime, I have been enjoying lots of hobbies that I don't really mention. I'm girly in all ways. I like to scrapbook and sew. I like cooking for friends and for dinner for twos. Yesterday, I took my guitar out of it's case again. Poor thing, it was all dusty. I had forgotten how much making music makes me happy.
6 comments:
ugh...i hate those friendly suggestions....and they keep coming no matter what. i looked into starting my practice just so people would stop suggesting it.
BLAH!
there is still room under my rock, but just enough. i have leave to space for all my magazines, cookbooks, and laptop for watching RuPaul's Drag Race.
:)
i think it is great you picked up that guitar again.
You obviously don't want suggestions, and I feel like an idiot giving you some anyway, but I've been following your blog for a long time.
I'm one of the LUCKY ones. I have a law job for some reason. I emphasize lucky because I don't take it for granted and I thank God every single day for it. But I realize that it was luck and nothing else. I know your not down on yourself, just down on the situation, and obviously I don't know your sitatuation THAT well, but maybe it's time to pick something, and start at the very bottom. (Psst...the money as a lawyer isn't really worth the time and stress commitment anyway...). For instance, if you decided you wanted to do tax law, then go to the IRS and get the crappiest job they have. You put in the only thing you have...time...and the expirience on a resume adds up. Or for another example, family law, you could get a job at a shelter or something.
We only have three things coming out of lawschool. Our grades, our expirience, and our luck. I had luck, and it still took me a while and connections to get a job. Our grades are already set in stone so you can't do anything about that. But expirience is something that you can change.
Sorry if I offended you by offering this suggestion, but I don't want to keep reading your blog and keep seeing the same result. Pick a field, and start at the bottom...you might actually like it!
YL,
if you had been reading her blog closely, then you would already know that stella does pro bono at a free clinic. and then to build on that experience, she attends and networks at CLE functions.
stella is putting herself out there.
you suggest to start at the bottom. hmmm...how insightful...how original....why i bet she has never heard that before....NOT!
as you acknowledge, you are lucky to have a job. so you are not out there and don't really understand that the problem is that the bottom is overcrowded right now in this market. so those "bottom positions" are few and far between.
"Sorry if I offended you by offering this suggestion, but I don't want to keep reading your blog and keep seeing the same result."
i can't speak for stella, but this comment sure as hell offended me.
stop assuming that she hasn't tried everything. or better yet, stop reading and just go away.
P.S.
Stella, if my response to this douche offended you, i apologize. please delete away.
PPS
The above rant was brought to you today by Weezy.
I can defintely relate to your frustations. I graduated May 2008 and I still can't find a job even though I was lucky enough to pass the bar on my first try. I have tried everthing from networking to applying to the DA/PD and Superior Court. I search cragislist, yahoo monster and carer builder everyday. I've registered with three temp agencies. Every job that is posted gets over a 100 resumes. I've sent out over 150 resumes that yielded only two interviews. I heard of people sending out 200 or 300.
At this point, I am hoping for a miracle.
Weezy,
I did miss that she was doing the pro bono work, but I guess I should have figured.
I was not trying to put her down or offend at all.
I don't know what your problem is, but I only offered my suggestion because that is what was suggested to me, to try to pick something, and just do whatever you can with it and see what happens. While I do agree that she didn't need me to say it, I only offered it as some sort of encouragement, because she seemed so down in her last post. I didn't say to start at the bottom so to speak, but to just do what she wants to do and the job will come. Re-reading my post I feel I probably missed the mark on communicating that, but if it means anything, that is what I mean.
I don't appreciate your anger weezy, because I wasn't trying to make things worse, and if that is how it came out, then I apologize to her.
Btw, I do understand the overcrowded market, it's not like I live in fantasy land and didn't have to deal with that same overcrowded market as well. Considering you have no idea what any part of my life has consisted of, perhaps you shouldn't rush to judgement.
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