I've worked in the legal industry since college and have been a practicing attorney for the last 15 yrs.

Anonymous

September 28,2021 at 1:03PM UTC

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I've worked in the legal industry since college and have been a practicing attorney for the last 15 yrs. Before going out on my own 4 yrs ago, I was a partner in a law firm. Admittedly, I've been considering leaving the field for years - long before I started my own practice. At least now, I no longer dread Monday mornings (or any morning for that matter) but there is simply no "joy" in what I do.

I should add that I recently relocated to a different state with my two young sons. I'm also a widow. Those factors weigh significantly in my decision for a career shift - lawyering has never been a 9-5 job and my sons need me now more than ever.

I know I want/need a change but simply cannot recognize my path. Looking for a new career is difficult when you don't even know what you want to do! While I recognize my skills are transferrable to a number of fields, how do I narrow it down? How do I shake the fears of failure? The fears of leaving my so-called "comfort zone" (even if that zone gives me no comfort)?

I'm curious to know how others have navigated through a career shift. How did you decide which path to follow?

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AnonymousSeptember 28,2021 at 1:11PM UTC
I was in transportation for seven years and now I am in health care. Hardest part of the transition is referring to my transferable skills to get promoted in a leadership position.
AnonymousSeptember 28,2021 at 2:22PM UTC
How did you work around that "hardest part"? I've always found it difficult to talk about my abilities and skillset - no matter the position for which I applied.
Annette ReimerSeptember 28,2021 at 1:21PM UTC
I understand your anxiety completely. I was in the transportation/logistics field and am looking to find something more "me". What has helped me is looking at companies I want to work for, not so much a job opening, and working on getting contacts in that company. Hopefully that will get me a position i will find rewarding.
AnonymousSeptember 28,2021 at 2:19PM UTC
I like your suggestion to look into companies I want to work for, rather than a specific job opening. I'll invest more time in researching companies/entities in my local area, instead of focusing solely on job openings. It's something I had been doing a while back but then shifted away from it. Thank you for the insight, as well as the reminder that researching companies (and not just positions) is necessary to find our way. I wish you well in your search!
Kristie WhiteSeptember 28,2021 at 2:28PM UTC
What a great problem you have! Legal skills are highly transferable and you can work in so many capacities. I would take the following steps to see what you can leverage as you move to a new way of working...
1. Look at your finances. You've already started your own practice, so you know about risk. How much risk can you afford in looking for a new position/path? How long can you go without income? Can you take a reduction in pay? etc. Find your boundaries.
2. Look at the possibilities in your current path. Are you dissatisfied with the legal work or the legal outcomes? If you focused on clients who were more needy - such as working for Legal Aid - or clients who were under-represented, would that make a difference? Is it the process, the demands, the actual work or the outcomes that you dislike? For example, it sounds like becoming independent has been good for you - you like being an entrepreneur. Would this path be more interesting if you worked with small businesses or startups? Once you know, start Step 3.
3. Establish boundaries in your current path. Based on your financial knowledge, set your work schedule to meet your needs AND leave time to allow you to start the transition to a new way of working - whether that is changing the type of clients you have, changing industries altogether, or changing the application of your skills. This will reduce some of the stress on you and help you spend more time with your family.
4. Ok - current state is stable - now you have a foundation upon which to build your future state. Hopefully, through this process, you have developed a short list of possible paths and can start the research. If not, your first research step is making a list of the kind of work you like. Don't think about work that is paid, think just about the work. And there will always be parts of a process that we just hate. But what outcomes excite you and make you proud? Now go out there and find out how you can apply your skills to create those outcomes? Interview people that are involved with those outcomes - you will find people are usually very open to sharing. Survey the market and as you research, your search will narrow and should lead to a narrow short list of paths that hold interest.
Hope this helps.
AlexisSeptember 28,2021 at 2:45PM UTC
So you are living with three of the biggest stressors anyone should have to live with- becoming a widow, moving and switching careers. Have you thought of working with a job coach? I know a great job coach who doesn't charge and arm and a leg (I think it's $29 an hour) who is also trained in peer counseling. It sounds like she would be a perfect fit for your situation, so if you are interested send me a PM and I'll give you her information. I also attended a workshop called Market Me, which helped me so much. That one was $300 and was in a group setting, but really was the best money I've ever invested. Look up meet-up groups in your area and attend some of their workshops. Networking is so important and maybe someone you meet can help you decide or even have a job for you to try. Finally, consider grief counseling. You may be able to find a group through your local hospice. It's a lot. My son's father died, I moved back across the country afterwards and am in the middle of my third career transition, so trust me, I get it! Good luck!
AnonymousSeptember 28,2021 at 3:02PM UTC
Thank you for all your suggestions. I have thought about a career coach but, honestly, the cost was keeping me away. I would be interested in learning more about the coach you referenced - please forward her information when you have time. I'll also look into the workshop you suggested, as well as local community/networking groups. As for counseling, I think I've got that covered (at least so far!). There is a local hospice that has groups (for me and the boys) and calling them is on my list of "to dos". Thank you again for your insight and sharing!
Joanne RosenSeptember 28,2021 at 4:00PM UTC
One idea that would get you more 9 - 5 is compliance officer. Depending on what type of law you practice(d), you can find many companies who want a lawyer to ensure compliance.
Alternately, do a search "Alternative careers for lawyers." Here is one I found: https://www.clio.com/blog/alternative-career-lawyers/
Let me know if you need help creating a dynamic resume that will help you make the transition.
You can upload your current one for a free analysis to: www.analyticadvantagecc.com
Cheers
Joanne
Erin Thomas, Career + Leadership CoachSeptember 28,2021 at 4:18PM UTC
Hi,
Career change is hard - especially when you've been successful in the past - and have big dreams/needs/desires.
Just focusing on skills though is NOT the path to building joy into your career - it will just maintain status quo, unless you get lucky. And let's be honest - most of us don't get unintentionally lucky.
My advice to you is focus on your values, strengths, and motivations. Then, build your brand narrative around this, and then align with various jobs/career paths with visioning.
This is exactly what I help motivated professionals do and it works!
Happy to have a free consult with you to lay out a road map of exactly what you can do.
www.careerandleadershipcoaching.com
Heather MaconeSeptember 28,2021 at 4:35PM UTC
It sounds like you definitley have a transferable skillset. A few questions which may help: Is there an area of your skillset that you would like to expand on? Do you have a hobby that your skills could transfer over to (i.e. a company/product as part of your hobby that could use your skills)?
For example, if reviewing contracts is a strong skill, perhaps searching a "contracts manager" role at a company that shares your values. Good luck in your search!
Beckie HinzeSeptember 28,2021 at 5:58PM UTC
This is not an easy time for you. Even though lawyering was difficult and kept you away from family, your days were full. Those women that I have worked with have taken months, sometimes years, to adjust to big career changes - and there is no shame in making a decision that leans into one career and then "re-deciding" to go another way. Good luck - and I am so glad you will have more time with your boys.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 29,2021 at 3:31AM UTC
What kind of law do you practice?
Jennifer ElizabethOctober 4,2021 at 2:04PM UTC
I was in the same dilemma you are. I knew I needed a change but I had no idea where I wanted to begin, and I knew that taking a shotgun approach would really not be very effective or efficient. I started with A LOT of reflection. I asked myself what I do and don't like about my current role/industry - everything from the personalities of the people I work with to the hours and the pay and the rewards/lack thereof. I asked myself what I could do if money, time, geography, family constraints were not an issue. The picture that emerged from this analysis alone was so helpful. Then I got a little stuck and found a program to give me the framework for finishing the self exploration and defining & charting a path forward. It's been so helpful. There are many different programs out there and some aren't very reputable, so choose carefully if you decide to go that route. I'm happy to share more info about the one I selected if you'd like.
Jennifer ElizabethOctober 4,2021 at 2:05PM UTC
correction: I asked myself what I WOULD do [not could] - sorry about that!