© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
Trapped
Finding a career that you love and enjoy is one of the hardest challenges that many young students go through day in day out. And I am one of those students. Since I was 12 I've been planning on being an attorney, I always said I wanted to help families through their hardships, whether that be immigration or civil rights or custody battles etc etc. How Naive was I to think that it would all be so simple?
The stress of studying political science is hard enough for me, I find myself getting lost or bored with certain topics and other times I am completely engrossed in the concepts that are taught when studying political science. I think it's the pressure of coming from being the first child to show interest in school and that has realistic expectations as to say. But now I'm grown up and im actually studying politics and law and I'm questioning every thing. Like am I smart enough to pass the LSATS or can I get into Law School. Can I pass my bars? Can I handle the stress that comes with being an attorney? Have I wanted two years studying something that I'm not even sure if I love? Is there anything that I'm actually good at that can give mer a decent living?
It's hard coming from a single parent whose only wish is that you become an attorney, the level of disappointment that I can imagine she would have wrecks me and I hate thinking that maybe she'll talk about me the same way that she talks about my college drop out brother or my defiant little brother. I don't think I could handle making her feel like she failed as a mother.
But im also stuck with wanting to make myself happy because my biggest fear is that I'm going to have a job that pays well and gives me a great benefits and a great life. But I'll wake up every day regretting the day I was hired, that I'll wake up dreading stepping foot into my place of work.
I have always compared myself to my friends who know exactly what they want to be, like all my nursing school friends who know that once they complete the program they can get a good paying job at a hospital with their BSN.
I'm trapped. I ask myself a million questions a minute and I can never figure out an answer to tell myself. I just don't want to disappoint anyone and I don't want to disappoint myself but it feels like that's the path I'm heading down.
If anyone who has studied political science or any liberal arts would give me some advice on career options that would help me in more ways than you would imagine.
Tammy Kearce
I am an author, teacher, and speaker.
35
01/30/20 at 7:26PM UTC
I agree with ShellyB. Take classes that inspire you and will move you forward with your education while you determine what really lights you up and makes you feel alive. It may be too early to determine exactly what field is going to best suit you. Slow down and enjoy the experience. Life is all about the journey, not the destination :)
ROSALIE DAYPolicy (MPP) + upskilled data & communications
252
01/29/20 at 2:11PM UTC (Edited)
I agree with Shelly B about once you get that JD, you have an exceptionally broad variety of opportunities for employment and social impact.
I don't have a JD - I have an MPP, and another more recent masters that builds on my public policy masters. Even though the MPP has been around for 35 years, most people and employers do not know the skills that I learned in my degree program at my Nobel Laureate-filled university. Although I have a framework of exceptional skills, I panic every time that I am unemployed. Even non-profit (volunteer) boards aren't really sure about my resume.
However, with a JD, employers think they know what kinds of skills you have - or what kind of skills you can grow into. If I had to do it over, I would have applied to a joint program JD-MPP - a JD for the degree and an MPP for the perspective and skills.
If you do get a JD, you won't be trapped. You'll have opened the door to opportunities.
Maggie BBusiness and Data Analysis Consultant
983
01/28/20 at 6:57PM UTC
I'm seeing a lot of signs of Impostor Syndrome here - and worries that no matter what you do, you'll be disappointing someone who isn't you.
What about you? What do you want?
As a kid, I deeply wanted to be an architect. That dream died when the architecture school I applied to deferred my application, while two liberal arts school accepted me and offered scholarships. I didn't expect to have a BA in English, or to work in IT, but honestly? I don't think I'd rather have it any other way!
Does your college have an alumnae association? Maybe you can talk to some graduates (recent and 10-15 years out) and see what they're doing with their Poly Sci degrees. Are they lawyers? Or social workers? Do they work for a non-profit? If this is something you have a passion for, there are so many ways that you can pursue it and actually like the process! Good luck!
[email protected]#girlboss #newlymintedceo
410
01/25/20 at 2:39PM UTC
I too decided at age 12 to be a lawyer and never considered any other path. My BA is in Political Science too. I actually enjoyed knowing that I was continuing on with law school and didn’t have to worry about finding a job right out of college—this was a high pressure situation for my roommates and friends. I started law school thinking I’d focus on criminal prosecution. Nope. I ended up focusing on administrative law—healthcare and environmental. I graduated from law school 25 years ago and have had a very blessed career. Most of my career has not been spent practicing law, and that’s ok. The skills I learned and my education have equipped me well. I have also had some fabulous mentors over the years—especially early on in my career. I have been with my current company 12 years in 2020 in various executive roles—VP and now CEO. My company and the work we do didn’t even exist when I graduated from law school. Although I haven’t functioned as an attorney in years, my law degree has served me well. My career success has provided a stable income and benefits for our family and has allowed my husband to pivot careers several times in our 23 year marriage.
All that said, you need to do what brings you joy. I have been blessed with opportunities that also provide “psychic compensation.” That’s what I call the reward for doing work that makes a difference. That is what motivates me and drives my career path. Chase what brings you joy, and you won’t go wrong.
ShellyBPassionate about equality for all at work!
607
01/24/20 at 5:37PM UTC
It is said that people will have about 4 or more careers in their lives. So you are worrying too early about being "stuck". Take the classes you need to take to graduate and all the fun ones you can. Law school does not care. I got an MBA with an architecture degree! You may want to work for a year or two before going back to grad school (and get that law degree? or not)- when you are more mature and can appreciate the classroom again. You can use a law degree to work in ANY company- in compliance area, in contract/procurement areas-- even become an investigator at the SEC! There are very few lawyers working in a straight up law firm-- but I know some family law practitioners who are passionate about their jobs and helping families navigate problems/divorce, etc.
Do not worry now and no need to decide anything! Good luck- keep us posted!
Jillian PostBuilding better communication strategies
1.3k
01/24/20 at 1:57PM UTC
I’m not going to give you advice because you‘ll have to face the fire and walk through it ... BUT (and this is huge) ... what you’re experiencing is felt by many of us who are breaking through barriers. It’s scary as hell and the self doubt can be crippling. I too often focus on the fact that, my parents knew nothing about ways to prep me or help me. I was the first to make it to college and have since gotten two more degrees. I’m now 58 and facing huge hurdles. I left a part of the country where I had access to cool jobs and support and moved back to help my mom get back on her feet. It WAS the right thing to do. Now ... no one in my circle even feels the impact of my hard work. My sister actually mocks me because I can’t find the job I want. She wants me to “take anything”, even if it’s $11 an hour. However, I know my value and I’m going to be defiant. I will discover ways to stay afloat until I find and land what I want. Reach down in there and find your bad self and don’t let anybody take you down, least of all yourself.
Explorer136882
55
01/24/20 at 1:16PM UTC
I think ultimately, at the root of it, your mother just doesn’t want you facing the kind of financial stress she did. She doesn’t want you being trapped. I would do your homework and explore other options for a successful career, but one you enjoy a bit more. Work closely with the college guidance teams, make them your best friends. Use your mother’s fears to drive you to be successful and make her proud- but doing something you’re actually interested in. It’s a heck of a lot of pressure to be an attorney, and many reach the other side realizing it was not what they imagined. I’d suggest reading Michelle Obama’s book. She talks about this at length, as a budding young corporate lawyer who grew up in a poorer family. All that said... There is a real drag element to college, that’s I do wish more people would admit. I loved psychology, but the reality is there were drags to the work in school many times. I have talked to psychologists who were disillusioned on the other side. This is not just about a particular field being boring. There are hard realities to the working world. College is this melting pot of various different dreamers reaching and learning, and the only stress is making the grade. In the working world, there are workplace politics, work life balance issues, company culture clashes, bad leadership and more. There are also wonderful elements. I will tell you that more important than your degree (not that it isn’t important) will be finding a company that supports growth, innovation, positive leadership and has a decent culture. I never finished my degree and I make more than my degree holding friends because I found a company like this and worked hard and used everything they offered me to grow. I still wish I as my degree, but I hope this helps you break free and see the bigger picture of your life outside of college. As a parent whose parents never finished college, and then I didn’t finish, my biggest fear for my daughter is that she be trapped and not table to use her talents and gifts, and not be paid a living wage. Sometimes parents get stuck in a rut of thinking a certain field will secure their kids. Sounds like your mother is. She can’t imagine anything else will bring success. She probably doesn’t like the idea of taking risks of any kind. What she really needs to know is that you’ll work hard, get your (any useful) degree, and find a company that will help you grow and be successful. Tell her you’re not going to give up. Life is long and this is just the beginning.
Rose Holland
935
01/24/20 at 1:14PM UTC
I totally understand. I wanted to be an accountant, but when I went to college I hated my accounting classes and was lost. I ended up getting a finance degree and HATED the field. If I had my preference I would have switched to library science, but I was afraid to disappoint my parents.
Do not be like me and settle for what you hate for fear of disappointing your mother, do some career exploration and find out what might be some good paths. Go to your career center at your school and do some career exploration. They have some self assessments and other tools that can help you see the opportunities available. Ask them to connect you to some alumni in the fields you are considering. College is not like real life, so find out from those working in the field what it is like and how you should focus your efforts.
Looking back, I would have taken a very different path but I love where I am now. I work in a completely different field and do employee programs. I love what I do and will be going for a PhD to help me continue to grow in the field.
Crystal Rhinebergerprofessional rofl nevermind lets just wing it
2.29k
01/24/20 at 1:13PM UTC
You have taken on a passion and a goal to alter lives for a positive! What a humbling and kind position to choose! Yay!
But is the self doubt coming from the fear of self failure or the fear you won’t be able to help?
Someone who is thinking about both sides of this education and what is asking is definitely smart enough to pass the bars!
Is there a career coach you could reach out too? Ask some questions of how did you navigate through doubt A
Did doubt B make you stronger
A bff and I were just discussing the weight a parent puts on the adult child as they gain their career education. Some of it is projection of the parent hoping for security of the child. The bff and I were both products of college would solve all (it didn’t exactly do that).
If your parent is approachable let that person know you are taking a positive turn (explore the job options so you know you have a backup) and though it wasn’t the encouraged career, you are going with what fits! Alot of us don’t stay w the exact we started with!
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