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Finally going after my calling after 5 years down the wrong road...


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How do you go about finding your calling?

 

Actually, I already know what my calling is...so to speak. So I guess the better question is, how do you go after your calling after realizing you've wasted the past 5 years? And how do you explain to your prospective employers why you're now making a big change without looking too unreliable?

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The past 5 years can't be a total waste- even the fact that you have matured and been part of the workforce counts.

You have learned lots of skills - how to deal with people, how to negotiate, how to manage your time, etc etc.

 

Honesty is the best policy here. I changed specialties a while back, and went for a job that I wasn't particularly qualified for, but really wanted to do so I could learn more about said specialty. I said as much in the interview, and got the job.

 

I think if you explain to your prospective employers that you are ready to take a new direction, and you are really excited about it> Enthusiasm counts for alot, especially if you have the basic skills they require, which I assume you do right? (Meaning its still a job in law, just a different field to the one you have been in.)

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True, the past five years haven't been a waste. I've developed many valuable skills. I just want to transfer from the private sector into the public sector (particularly for the Feds) and into a different area of law.

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You found your calling and are going for it? That's amazing Star, congratulation.

 

And I agree with SB, passion counts for a lot - and you're likely the only one who sees the last 5 years as wasted. You most likely learned a lot of skills that your prospective employers will seek.

 

Plus, remember that for the job market, you're still young, yet you have already shown a lot of determination by getting a law degree and working in the field. Most people find their calling later on in life.

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True, the past five years haven't been a waste. I've developed many valuable skills. I just want to transfer from the private sector into the public sector (particularly for the Feds) and into a different area of law.

 

This isn't the first time you have talked about this.

 

i say go for it.

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Sometimes you can miss your chance.

 

For example, I am perhaps too old to follow my calling of being a pornstar exclusively with asians & anal.

 

Follow your dreams, but do it while you still can!

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Prodigal Princess

Woah, public to private and a different area of law? :eek:

 

I'm glad you have now decided to make the change, but it's going to be a very big adjustment. It will also probably take awhile for you to be able to get in there and start making a difference. Good luck to you Star.

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Woah, public to private and a different area of law? :eek:

 

No, other way around. Private to public.

 

it's going to be a very big adjustment. It will also probably take awhile for you to be able to get in there and start making a difference.

 

Wow. Thanks for the encouragement. :rolleyes:

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Prodigal Princess

Sorry, that was a typo.

 

I think you should go for it, you haven't been happy where you are for awhile. I just meant that be careful to keep your expectations in check. I have 2 friends who made the jump from commercial law to working for the government and found it really difficult. One left law completely and the other is now back working in private practice.

 

I admire any lawyer working in the public system, it's a tough road.

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What was difficult about the transition? I could understand going from a pubic position where you're basically a 9-to-5 to moving to a private firm where there's crazy hours you have to bill regardless of the clock, but not the other way around...

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Prodigal Princess

You're right, the hours will be much better, but this is countered by other things such as being in the thick of bureaucracy; dealing with non-professionals (a lot of them really are idiots, not to mention the crazies); not having the support systems of a private firm (decent precedents, PAs, IT, even cleaners etc); and the emotional toll that dealing with other people's personal dramas will take on you.

 

Then again, if you are passionate about what you do then that should override the negatives. Its similiar for my work at a large corporate firm - my hours are insane and Im surrounded by wankers, but I love the work so all that ultimately tends to fade into insignificance.

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What was difficult about the transition? I could understand going from a pubic position where you're basically a 9-to-5 to moving to a private firm where there's crazy hours you have to bill regardless of the clock, but not the other way around...

 

The transition part for me was the hours and downtime from public to private. I did get a wide range or experiences. Either sector has it's pros and cons. Public sector tends to have better benefits but you don't really get promoted. Private sector, you'll be working long hours to "maybe" get a promotion.

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mental_traveller
How do you go about finding your calling?

 

Actually, I already know what my calling is...so to speak. So I guess the better question is, how do you go after your calling after realizing you've wasted the past 5 years? And how do you explain to your prospective employers why you're now making a big change without looking too unreliable?

 

It's not hard. If something is your calling, then your enthusiasm and passion will be crystal clear to pretty much anyone when you describe your motivations and decision to pursue this. 90% of people in most lines of work are just doing a job, only a few are really pursuing their calling, and after a few minutes conversation it is quickly apparent which category anyone falls into. And people who are really passionate about their work are by far the best employees.

 

IMO the only thing to do is to get some way of proving your commitment - maybe do a course or qualification, or get a bit of work experience in the area you are looking to change to.

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mental_traveller
Sometimes you can miss your chance.

 

For example, I am perhaps too old to follow my calling of being a pornstar exclusively with asians & anal.

 

Follow your dreams, but do it while you still can!

 

Ron Jeremy proves that you can never be too old, fat, or ugly to pursue your true calling ;)

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How do you go about finding your calling?

 

Actually, I already know what my calling is...so to speak. So I guess the better question is, how do you go after your calling after realizing you've wasted the past 5 years? And how do you explain to your prospective employers why you're now making a big change without looking too unreliable?

 

What area of law are you currently in? Which public section do you wanter to enter?

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mental_traveller
What was difficult about the transition? I could understand going from a pubic position where you're basically a 9-to-5 to moving to a private firm where there's crazy hours you have to bill regardless of the clock, but not the other way around...

 

The difficulty will be things like bureaucracy, red tape, the fact that 90% of people there will be jaded and just turning up for a paycheque, and rather than share your passion for public work they may not only disagree, but actually *resent* you for being that way.

 

Grass is greener syndrome doesn't just apply to relationships. However, if you feel strongly enough about it then this negatives will be outweighed by the fact that you are doing what you love. Just don't go in with unrealistic expectations that people in the public sector are any different to those in the private sector in terms of their motivations.

 

I would recommend that you speak to a few people who do law work for the government. Ask them how it is, explain your motivations, and let them tell you the pros and cons. Maybe try to work shadow for a week or something? Get a clear picture of the reality of the work, so that if you change direction, it's based on how things really are, and not an idealised image of how you *hope* things are.

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Thanks for the input, MT. But I don't really care what anyone else's motivations are. Why would I? I only care about my own.

 

There's red tape and bureaucracy everywhere. There's people who are jaded and show up just for a paycheck everywhere too - sh*t, I'm one of them now!

 

Where I am now, I have difficulty believing in either my employer (the firm) or its clients. Where I want to go, I believe in both the "firm" (the particularly entity I'm interested in) as well as it's clients (the "people" of my community).

 

I cannot really "shadow" anyone while they're actively practicing law. There's a huge potential for the violation of privilege there, not to mention that I wouldn't want to take time off of work to do that.

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Knowing other peoples motivations can help you to understand more about the field...

 

Working for the "people of the community" isn't always rewarding, believe me. It can often be a thankless, demoralising and exceptionally frustrating.

 

I am not in law, but I do the dental equivalent, and the government pays my wages.

 

I don't believe in the government system that I am constantly restricted by, and I don't believe in all the people who repeatedly try and bleed it dry, while not being pro active or taking responsibility for themselves and their health.

It is often difficult to communicate with my patients, as many of them don't speak English at all, or speak a little. Its often very hard to know if you have adequate understanding of procedures, which brings consent issues into the equation.

I expect that most government funded services have aspects of this.

 

I also resent the fact that some of my privately funded contemporaries work fewer hours and see fewer patients than I do in a day, yet often get paid more than double what I do.

I used to have one of these jobs, but in London they are practically like gold dust, and are so competitive, and seeing as its nearly all privately funded in my home country, I will hold out until WB and I get back there later this year.

 

The bonuses of working for the government doing what I do is that there is less litigation against me due to the fact that people who receive free treatment are less likely to complain, and I am also more protected in the event of potential litigation/complaints as there is more support for government funded dentists. (This is a double edged sword, as some dentists see it as license to cut corners or provide lower standard treatment for the govt funded patients)

 

I get a relatively regular income, and never have to worry that the appointment book is empty (it never is). I can dictate more sociable hours, as people who receive free or subsidised treatment don't expect you to be able to see them whenever they want. I also get the chance to do a little bit of privately funded work on top of this sometimes, which boosts my income.

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Why are the above questions ignored by OP?

 

Because the answers are very detailed and specific, and would potentially identify me. That's why.

Edited by Star Gazer
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Can you go to someone at your Bar Association or your Law School's alumni association and ask for contacts in the area you want to work in? They might be able to introduce you to some people who would be willing to answer your questions about the challenges of transitioning, what you would need to highlight on your resume, what to expect in the roles, advice on how to apply for jobs, etc.

 

ETA - oh, and as far as explaining why you are now going after your calling, you can easily explain that you had a boatload of student loans to pay off after law school, and are now in a better financial position to pursue the area of law you had wanted from the start.

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Because the answers are very detailed and specific, and would potentially identify me. That's why.

 

You can give a general answer such as Business Law, Family Law, Litigation, etc. I am sure there are tons and tons of law firms in your area doing any of the general categories of law.

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You can give a general answer such as Business Law, Family Law, Litigation, etc. I am sure there are tons and tons of law firms in your area doing any of the general categories of law.

 

I don't see why it matters to you. The specifics here aren't necessary for the original topic.

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I, for one, applaud you. You're young, have a marketable skill and there should be nothing holding you back. If you don't do it you'll always regret it.

 

Unfortunately, I took the "safe' route due to the necessity of having a steady income and good benefits. Providing for my family trumped following a dream. While I don't regret where I am now it's certainly not somewhere I ever dreamed of.

 

Go for it, Star Gazer. Knowing what you do now I'm surprised at your choice but if that's what you want, I hope and am confident you'll achieve it.

 

Since my new dream is to be retired, I think that's one I'll achieve in about two years unless, of course, I have the big one first! ;)

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Knowing what you do now I'm surprised at your choice but if that's what you want, I hope and am confident you'll achieve it.

 

Uh oh... why does it surprise you?? :confused:

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