Why do I feel in a career tundra?

January 19, 2006 5:49 AM

I've been an attorney for 4 years now, 28 years old, bored to death and uninsprired at my current job and completely clueless about my future. [long post]

I doubled major in college in Psychology and Spanish (I am a fluent speaker). I went to an average university in Jacksonville, FL. I had NO idea what I wanted to do with my life. I did not want to pursue a career in psychology as I thought it would be too emotionally draining seeing patients with mental/emotional problems all day long. I also did not want to be researching or concocting case studies either. I briefly thought about getting an MBA but I had no work experience that most schools required and I had really not taken any business classes in college. Law school seemed like the only viable option back then. I got into a decent law school in FL. I hated the experience from day one. I hated the socratic method of teaching and hated how you were expected to teach yourself the law. I was depressed for about half of my law school tenure. I got average grades and I passed the bar exam after my second attempt. I then worked for a solo practioner in S. Florida specializing in consumer bankruptcy. I worked there for 3 years and I went from not having a clue about what I was doing to becoming the lead attorney who handled everything in the office and managed the entire caseload (while my boss just brought in the clients). I decided to leave as the new bankruptcy law was going to change and quite frankly, I was burned out. In my 3 years there I had not taken a vacation and put in too many hours. I then found a job in N. Florida doing claims administration for a huge title insurance company and took a $10,000 pay cut because I was so desperate to leave S. Florida and I wanted to find a job quickly. I have been here for over 6 months and I hate it. There has been no formal training, I was thrown into a cubicle with a filing cabinet full of files and expected to burrow through them. A few people are available for questions but everyone is overworked and I don't want to go to the same person for a question on almost every file I have. On the bright side, I have good hours and the environment is laid back (possibly too laid back) where no one is breathing down my neck but the work is expected to be done. They offer no year end bonuses and the word around here is that the raises are quite stingy. This is not the work I want to be doing. I am bored to tears daily and am frustrated. I don't even know if I should continue to be an attorney but then, what else would I be doing with my life? I think I'm fairly intelligent, a hard worker and a very quick learner. I'm not interested in litigation but I am interested in the transactional aspect of the law. I think I may enjoy serving as a general counsel for a company but they say those jobs are hard to come by. I have been looking for positions in the Jacksonville area but have not come across anything yet. I guess my question is, how do I know I'm in the right field? What should be my next step? I feel like I have no direction in my life. At this point, I am completely unsatisfied with my career right now. Any advice/insight/criticism is welcome. Thanks.

posted by workinprogress to Work & Money (26 answers total)

Why not take a vacation? Really, it seems like the best thing for you. You sound utterly burned out. You don't need "advice/insight/criticism" or direction, you just need a few months (yes, months) to lay back and recharge. It's not that expensive and it's certainly not that difficult. Go and buy an atlas and find some place quiet on the map and plan to be there in three months. Start saving every penny if you haven't been already. Move some of your savings into an international bank account and begin selling all the crap you've acquired these last few years. Decide now whether you want to hold on to your apartment and stay in N. Florida. If you do, find somebody to sublet the place while you're gone. Then quit your crappy job and just get away for a while.
posted by nixerman at 6:19 AM on January 19, 2006

I thought the same thing. Take a vacation. Not two weeks. At least a month. Go somewhere.

When you come back, you can explore all the options available to someone with a law degree who doesn't want to be a lawyer anymore. (As you may have gleaned from AskMeFi, law is confusing as heck to most non-lawyers. You can get a job in a company doing something closer to your own interests.)
posted by desuetude at 6:27 AM on January 19, 2006

There are tons of books about what you can do with a law degree (besides practicing law). Probably because there are so many unhappy lawyers. Go on Amazon and do a search for "alternative law careers" or "alternative legal careers" and check out your options. Good luck.
posted by amro at 6:35 AM on January 19, 2006

Yes. Take a vacay. You might consider taking a volunteer vacation. Several organizations offer wonderful programs in Central and South America--where your Spanish skills would be extremely valuable. I did such a program and I came home rejuvenated, inspired beyond description, and with a renewed sense of purpose. Check out Cross-Cultural Solutions. I highly recommend.
posted by lilybeane at 6:44 AM on January 19, 2006

What are you passionate about? You don't have to stick to what you're doing, just because you went to law school. There are scads of people who reinvent themselves at 30, 40, 50 and 60.

And to quote fight club "You are not your job." Yes, it's where you spend the bulk of your day, but what else are you doing in your life? Religion? Hobbies? Other Education? Life isn't wake up, work, eat, sleep repeat.

Realistically, you need to deal with the emotional drain that your daily job is causing you. Vacation? Certainly. Vacation where you see a therapist 2-3 days a week to help you regroup, Not a bad idea. Even a bad therapist will help you get on the right path.

You've taken a job out of college, shown you can be sucessful, and then changed jobs, hoping it'd solve your problem.

I've never read it, but if you look at all the career threads here on ask.mefi, they all reference What Color is your Parachute. Likely, you ought to buy this today and read it over the weekend.

And that's what work/life is. A path. You keep moving down it - you change, the career changes. You both change each other. Find what you're passionate about and chase that.
posted by filmgeek at 6:54 AM on January 19, 2006

Would applying your experience and abilities to a cause/institution in which you really believe help? (I've met public defenders in NYC who are completely overworked and underpaid, yet believe deeply in what they are doing, and can't imagine doing anything else.) I'm willing to bet that if you know what is important to you, there will be a way to use your law experience in relation to it. Good luck.
posted by R. Mutt at 7:04 AM on January 19, 2006

It doesn't sound to me that you're in the right field at all. Sounds like you've hated it all along. It would be convenient to stay in law, since you have the degree and the experience. I agree with the questions about your passions - would any of them fit with law? Or policy?

If your MBE score was high enough you can waive into DC. Would you rather live there?

Vacation, yes. You sound extremely burnt out. If I were you, I'd arrange my life so I could take a long vacation somewhere rejuvenating - Thailand, Vietnam, somewhere in the caribbean, possibly Ghana, even some parts of the US or Canada, if you go for rural beauty, a village in Italy....
posted by Amizu at 7:13 AM on January 19, 2006

With all the insurance companies in Jax, there's gotta be an opportunity for a lawyer, or even an ex-lawyer. Also, there are loads of military bases of various sorts in that area, with scads of jobs for civilian workers, and I can't help but assume that there's a job for a(n ex-)lawyer there, too. Take the vacation, get your mind and feet grounded, and good luck hunting!
posted by kimota at 7:17 AM on January 19, 2006

Consider becoming a librarian. When I was getting my MLS, there were a slew of other students with JDs who were getting out of law and into librarianship. A MLS+JD combo sets you up to work at law firms, academic libraries, and even public libraries if you want to get out of the race all together.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 7:22 AM on January 19, 2006

Maybe you should try anti-depressants.
posted by delmoi at 7:29 AM on January 19, 2006

Workinprogress --- you're obviously smart and competent. That gives you a lot of flexibility in choosing your career path moving forward. But it sounds like you don't see much flexibility.

Why stay in a job (or in a field) that you hate? Keep in mind that you don't have to. There are hundreds of things you could do, based simply on your aptitude and management experience. Add the law degree and you get many more. But before you can take advantage of that, you need to throw off this attitude that you have some sort of obligation to stay in the daily grind. You don't. Jobs are not that scarce, especially for people like you.

I was very unhappy during the first 10-15 years of my working life, even though I had well-paying, desirable jobs. I pulled myself out of those, and I've very very glad that I did. My current work is more mission-oriented, basically non-profit, and I love it.

I agree with others who have suggested you take a bunch of time off. Get out of the grind, do a bunch of reading, talk to diverse people about their work. Life's too precious to be frittered away.
posted by alms at 7:40 AM on January 19, 2006

Huh. I just read an article yesterday that goes directly to this question: How to do what you love. I spent all afternoon thinking about what I'd read. Give it a gander; it may be useful for you, too.
posted by jdroth at 8:33 AM on January 19, 2006

A career in psychology doesn't have to being seeing patients with emotional/mental problems all day. Consider a career in teaching or research.
posted by corpse at 8:47 AM on January 19, 2006

I second the MLS suggestion. Law librarians with JDs are incredibly valuable resources and it may even lead to a teaching position in legal research and writing.

You could also man the Westlaw or Lexis helpline, though I don't know how non-sucky of a gig that is.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 9:12 AM on January 19, 2006

I am in something of a similar position (accounting) knowing that i will not be doing what i am currently doing for the rest of my life, or even living in this area for a long time. But I know that (like law) accouting is a great skill to have because most people don't want to deal with it. Currently what I am doing is paying well enough so I am taking the time to research careers/things I would like to do--where i want to go next. I am re-visiting all my dream jobs I've fantasized over throughout my life. I am listing and investigating and incorporating my current skills into possibilities. I plan on making it my 'part-time second job' to research, with my wife, the places in the world we would most like to live and learning how what I would most like to do with my life coincides. We will then try and visit a few of the top contenders (dependent on vocational attributes, living quality, smog, etc).

This is the rest of my life I am planning, not just some daily enjoyment, like taking time to view a tv show i look forward to seeing. THIS IS IT. If you don't put everything you've got into finding what you want to do, then you'll just end up doing what you're doing. You're post definitely focuses on the negative aspects of what you're into. Take the vacation (the longer the better) but make at least part of it a working vacation. Work on Y.O.U.
posted by iurodivii at 9:14 AM on January 19, 2006

Sounds like you've hated it all along.

to be fair, he hated law school; lots of people feel differently about law school & the actual practice of law (I know people who've had the reverse experience - loved law school but not being a lawyer).

But let's see: you liked psychology. You considered business school. You hated law school because of the socratic method & teaching yourself. You were very successful as a solo practitioner when someone else brought the cases in. You hate your new job partly because 'there was no formal training'. You consider your positive qualities being "a hard worker and a quick learner".

it sounds like perhaps you like order and having a clear path ahead? You're willing to work hard and get there, but you don't want to fuss around or make things up as you go? I don't really know what the 'transactional' aspect of the law is, but it doesn't sound as if law is necessarily wrong for you. However, as others have said, you should give yourself freedom to really work out whether you're doing what you want, rather than get stuck just graduating from job to job unhappily. Do save money so that you can take some time off to really consider your options.

At the same time, I think it's worth just going through your skills and preferences and really listing everything out and thinking about it. I did this when I was 25 or 26 to try to decide whether to go back to grad school. Make a list of every little talent you have. Make a list of all the qualities you want in a job. Make a list of all the qualities that would make a job unattractive to you. Consider what really interests you and what you honestly enjoy doing - it's important to remember that just because you like it, doesn't mean no one will pay you for it. Also remember to consider things from long term and short term perspectives, and in terms of content (what you actually do) and results (i.e., salary, recognition, making a difference, etc).

The choice you make now also doesn't have to be final.
posted by mdn at 9:20 AM on January 19, 2006

This may not have been mentioned because it is so obvious but you might find a more interesting legal position by taking advantage of you language skills. In the transactional area look for something working with US companies doing business in Latin America or Latin American companies doing business here. The ability to speak Spanish would also be a boon practicing immigration law. (Also keep in mind that although the ability to speak Spanish may be common in Florida it is not in many other areas of the country).
posted by Carbolic at 9:24 AM on January 19, 2006

You could open a bar, prodcue some independent films, or start a record label. Having legal training and some law experience will come in very handy in entrepreneurial ventures such as these. I have friends who have left law to do these things. If you have a reputation for being smart and honest, you may be able to get some investors among your friends, family, or even casual acquaintances to help foot the startup bill. You'd be surprised how easy it can be to find the necessary startup money if you believe in what you're doing and are sharp enough to pull it off. One guy I know got the necessary funds from his therapist.

But if you want to stay in the legal field, maybe you could find a more rewarding gig. There are tons of non-profits who would love to have your talent. Try idealist.org for starters.
posted by mds35 at 9:31 AM on January 19, 2006

produce some indie films, that is.
posted by mds35 at 9:31 AM on January 19, 2006

I second lilybeane's suggestion to consider a volunteer vacation with the likes of Cross-Cultural Solutions or Global Volunteers. Besides being fun, educational and helpful to the local community, they really can get your mind working as to what's really important in life and what your passions are. I'd led a dull, uninspired existence as a computer programmer for years, but after taking a few of those trips I've discovered that my true passion is working with special needs children (something I may never have discovered on my own). Even though I haven't taken the scary leap to change careers because of it, I've been inspired to find several local opportunities where I now volunteer with special needs kids on a regular basis. It's become one of the highlights of my life right now, making the dull computer geek cube-dwelling day job much more tolerable.

Point of all this drivel: If you're able to find a new dream career and take the plunge, GREAT! Plenty of us will be jealous! But if not, consider volunteering for a cause that interests you to at least keep you inspired in your free time. Good luck!
posted by globetrotter30 at 10:04 AM on January 19, 2006

Read What should I do with my life?. You can pick it up used for less than $2. It is an assortment of stories of other people who were considering or changed their careers. Take your time, until you can come at it from a position of choice and possible direction.
posted by blueyellow at 10:21 AM on January 19, 2006

If it's just the rotten jobs and not the law itself that's got you down, you might consider providing legal services to Spanish-speakers who have trouble navigating the legal system. But definitely take a vacation first.
posted by languagehat at 10:55 AM on January 19, 2006

Talk to your college and see if they offer any career services. Take as many vocational and aptitude tests as you can find. They will give you ideas about possible career directions. Your lawyering skills are pretty transferable.

And I 3rd(etc)the vacation time.
posted by theora55 at 11:35 AM on January 19, 2006

Two options that integrate your legal background with unique fields: be a lawyer in the US Air Force as part of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. Or perhaps healthcare law - staff counsel for a hospital or healthcare organization.
posted by davidmsc at 8:18 PM on January 19, 2006

I would second Carbolic's suggestion if you enjoy employing that aspect of your skills. In fact, a very good friend of mine was in a similar position as yourself (albeit without a JD) and found her vocation as an interpreter.
posted by ooga_booga at 10:46 AM on January 20, 2006

I second the vacation idea. Once you get back, try reading _ Guerrilla Tactics For Finding the Legal Job of Your Dreams_. The book has a whole chapter on figuring out what your dream job is and even gives techniques for finding this out (informational interviews, pro bono work). The book includes a chapter on alternative careers, and I believe the author, Kimm Wayne, has written a whole book on alternative careers. Basically, you just haven't figured out what you want to do yet. That's not so bad. You're just going to have to do some research to figure it out (by doing pro bono work and having informational interviews, and reading up on various career options). Good Luck.
posted by bananafish at 4:30 PM on January 22, 2006