I graduated law school when my first child was 8 weeks old. My dining room table was cluttered with case books while my kitchen was covered in bottles. Her baby brother came 18 months later. I fell into being an educated stay-at-home-mom, and I loved it. Until I wanted more.
When my little ones were in preschool, I decided to take the bar exam. Friends encouraged me and said I was crazy in the same breath. But when I say I’m going to do something, I do it and then some. With my face buried in books again, I welcomed that familiar pressure to beat a test. To say I overstudied would be an understatement: I practically aced the thing.
Figuring out my next step proved more difficult. I had a satisfying experience working in law before grad school. I learned a great deal in that job, namely that I didn’t want to negotiate the minutia of employment contracts or licensing agreements. It wasn’t for me. Where was the opportunity to make a difference for others? I started law school hopeful that I’d find my place in the legal field. While I enjoyed most of my classes, nothing moved me to say, “THIS. This is what I want.”
Some of the best courses I took focused on psychology and the law. I contacted the professor and he directed me to a colleague of his. She practiced education law, dealing with a range of issues affecting neurodiverse and disabled students and their families. When she explained she didn’t have time for an apprentice, I remember clear as day that she said, almost with a tone of discouragement, “you know there’s no money in this field.” I didn’t hesitate in my response: “that’s not why I did this.”
In hindsight, I can see I was excited but unfocused. I wanted an opportunity and I was eager to find one. But I couldn’t put my finger on the specifics of what I wanted it to involve and how I could shape my life to actually take advantage of it. I just wanted it to immediately appear and be the perfect fit. It turns out one can be that naive in her early 30s.
In hindsight, I’m glad that perfect job didn’t fall into my lap. (Not that there is such a thing, and not that such a thing ever happens!) I can wonder if it would have eventually led me to the world of college admissions or perhaps education policy, but why waste the time.
Hindsight is a funny thing. For years, I looked back on law school with regret, an expensive misstep. I blamed my college counselor at UCLA, crafting the words I wish he’d have said to have compelled me to explore other opportunities. Oftentimes when I spoke my mind or stood up for my beliefs others would tell me I should be a lawyer, and I chastised myself for having listened. My perspective changed as my appreciation for my education grew. Looking back encouraged me to look ahead with clarity and confidence.
And here I am, having found the aspects of the law I enjoy most in college admissions. What I do aligns with my personal and professional beliefs. I value educators and other professionals positively impacting students and I’m proud to join their ranks. I make a demonstrable difference to my clients on a human level. I research processes and complexities and make them easier to understand for others. I learn from my clients. I remain current on hot topics, news and policy that genuinely interests me in an effort to be a better advocate and counselor. And I write.
A good counselor knows the steps to help students navigate the system. A great counselor uses one’s life experiences and lessons to help others achieve success. Let’s look forward together.
Beautiful and moving story of finding your path! Your students are lucky to have a guide who knows whats involved in searching for passion and purpose.