Know thyself

I had the opportunity recently to catch up with a group of law school friends over dinner. They are all busy, successful women, some with young children, who have carved out interesting careers: one is a partner in an Ottawa firm, two work as government lawyers, one is a general counsel, and one is an entertainment lawyer.

All of them have one thing in common: they based important decisions at law school on considerable self-knowledge and a determination not to follow the crowd. I’m not necessarily referring to their choice of courses or even articles nor am I suggesting that everyone enjoyed a smooth career path. I mean they knew themselves well enough to identify their interests, the kind of environment where they would thrive — and where they wouldn’t — and how they want to live their lives.

They also prepared for future opportunities by networking and volunteering (one volunteered for an organization that eventually created a job for her) and when one door closed, they found another open elsewhere. They worked incredibly hard, but they are also among the most well-rounded people I know. There is a lot of pressure on students to make the“right” decisions about courses, summer jobs and articles.

The stakes are high: The “right” decisions, we are told, will launch us on a fabulous career where we’ll enjoy challenging work, untold riches, and the respect of grateful clients. The “wrong” decisions can mean no articling job at all and a one-way ticket to Loser-Town.

Of course, what’s “right” or “wrong” depends on the individual, which is why keeping your own counsel is so important. For some of your classmates, it might be Bay St. or bust, but are you willing to put in 80-hour-plus weeks for the money and status? You have to love what you do to make the necessary sacrifices, whether it’s making partner in Big Law or building a successful practice as a sole practitioner.

Understanding who you are, what motivates you, and why you went into law in the first place is the first crucial step.

As the stories in this issue show, knowing yourself, keeping your own counsel and demonstrating your interest can lead you to fascinating career possibilities. Sometimes, it leads you away from the practice of law — but that can be a good choice too.

Ultimately, it’s your career. Don’t just let it happen to you.