So I am writing this Sunday and not posting it until Monday morning because I have no idea what my first day is going to be like. I am getting very nervous though. It is not like an internship in law school where I know that I have a finite time to do work over the semester/ summer and then leave. An intern with some responsibility, but ultimately, people would look over my shoulder. I no longer have that luxury. Although now I actually get A PAYCHECK. Very exciting.
You see, sometime in my last year of law school I realized that I really didn't want to practice law in a private law firm or corporate setting. Actually, I knew that my first year of law school. It just never was going to be for me. Watching my parents worry about billable hours, working 12 hour days and weekends was never going to make me happy, no matter how much money a firm would try to throw at me.* So, I sought out public interest internships and built my resume on such experiences.
Luckily for me, I was able to get a public interest position right before graduation. Also fortunate is the fact that my job is not premised on passing the bar.** In fact, I don't even need a J.D. for the job that I am going to do. And that makes me extremely happy. But, the job still comes with a lot of pressure as the program that I am in is very competitive. I don't want to let my new employer down as they have paid a lot of money to get me on board. I want to live up to my raises. And, you know, live up to the reputation that I graduated law school. Supposedly there is another person starting at the same time that just finished law school. He also took the bar. What if he passes and I don't? That would be embarrassing. At least he is in a different section so I won't be compared too much to him.
On a side note, while trying to give off a professional image, how am I going to check my email? How am I going to check my Google Reader? Perez Hilton? A job is definitely going to put a cramp in my internet usage......
*One of my friends is going to be starting a firm job this fall making $160,000. While I am jealous of the actual salary, I would rather shoot myself than to trade jobs. He will practically live at the office, barely seeing his wife and dog. Nope, not for me at all.
**I have a number of friends that will be fired the day the bar results come out if they did not pass. That sucks.
5 comments:
Good luck on your first day! I'm sure you'll be fabulous, and I can't wait to hear all about it!
Also, I'll watch the internets for you while you're gone.
:)
hope your first day went well! sounds like you made the perfect career decision for yourself, can't wait to hear more about it.
Sounds like you've put yourself in a really good position. Go you!
Re: The internet - I bet, like most jobs, things will be kinda touch and go for a while. Maybe even like a month. And then as people get to know you, you'll get to check all the google reader you want! Boom, baby!
Good for you for following your heart. I know way too many people who got law degrees and took corporate jobs because that's what they thought they were supposed to do. And now? A number of them are either unhappily working or have quit being lawyers altogether. Sad! So, happy for you for being so proactive from the start. Hope #1 went well!
Aww...I'm sure you've done great on your first day!
I am really curious to know what kind of job this is, as I have an interest in law myself. Could you email me? If you prefer not to divulge that information, I understand!
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