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The Bad and the Ugly of Being an Attorney
Beginning your career as a new attorney is so exciting. You’re finally working in your dream career and it feels so rewarding to start a fresh, new chapter in your life. Plus, when you go to court people call you counselor and it’s pretty awesome the first few times it happens–not going to lie. But soon you’ll realize the big open secret: being a lawyer is hard y’all and that is in large part due to the culture shock you may experience. Culture shock is normal and typical when starting something new and learning new codes of conduct and expectations. Where I think some struggle with moving beyond the shock…
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When You Don’t Have Enough: Mastering Lack of Resources as a 1L
I have described my summer before law school many times–how emotionally difficult it was because I didn’t think I’d be able to pay for my law school deposit. And how frustrating 1L semester was when I had to work extra shifts at a retail store just to make rent, sacrificing precious study time. I could go on and on about how draining it is to go into this endeavor (and college really) as a student from a low-income family, and when you’re first gen, there’s an added barrier of navigating the higher Ed system with little guidance. It is tough. So I wanted to take this time, as many of…
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Surviving the Gaslight: Microaggressions at Work
Imagine, you’re in the middle of a networking event and a partner at a firm casually mentions that they’re so impressed with how well you speak English…cue record scratch. Or you’re starting a new job and your new boss says they’re so excited to have you because they really need someone to spice up the office. …que que?! You’re likely no stranger to these micro aggressions. You know what it’s like when people keep asking where you’re from, are surprised you speak English, or assume you’re not capable just because of the way you look. Believe it or not, there will be many incidents where people act way out of pocket…
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How Can You Study In Times Like These?
Everything can feel so overwhelming right now with what’s happening in the news. It can feel like a useless endeavor to study for the bar when so much chaos is happening at that border and in our communities. Even still, it’s so vital for you to keep going, to focus on the bar (or whatever goal you have this summer). Use what’s happening as motivation to get to your next chapter. But I really want to volunteer! I remember the travel ban last year and how people swarmed the airport. So many students participated in that as well. So, yes, you can certainly volunteer in whatever capacity you can. But…
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Sidebar: Did I get any color?
February was a whirlwind–it feels like it was a million years ago but probably because I had so much going on–which is nice because I like being busy but also that means that there is only so much I can do with my limited hours. And sometimes this site suffers, which I don’t like, but thanks for your patience! The most important part was that I went on a badly, sorely needed, well-deserved vacation at the beginning of the month. We went to Puerto Vallarta, which is just heaven. I’m sure there’s more to do in Vallarta than sit at a beach, but that’s literally all I want to do…
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Law School Culture Shock: Keep These Things in Mind
We talk a lot about how different law school feels once you start. It can all be so overwhelming that at times you may think that you’re the only struggling, when that’s not the case at all. I wanted to discuss culture shock and adjusting to your new law school reality. First, culture shock is real. Whenever you enter new environments with new social cues and norms, it can be difficult to get a handle of it. When I first started, I could NOT get over the idea that people actually wore suits. Like, it felt like a costume; not something I would actually wear for an entire day. It…
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Is it Even an Emergency? Responding to Crisis During Bar Prep
You are a month away from the Bar Exam! I hope everything is going as smooth as possible. I was in an incredibly fortunate position to not have to work during bar prep and even without that added stress of finances, I was so overwhelmed with emotion, worry, and anxiety. Many of you may be feeling the same pressure (or will soon feel it as we get closer to the date). So, I wanted to talk about avoiding stress and situations that deter you from your goal. I have heard many stories of family “emergencies” that crop up during bar prep that distract someone from their studies and lead to…
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Sidebar: Love and Mental Riots
So…I feel like my life is marked in pre & post-election. Like the bombardment of bad news, stupefying news, racist policies, behaviors, etc. etc. is enough to drive someone crazy. I feel like I’m constantly seething. To find a balance, I keep distracting myself (like everyone should) because I just can’t be “on” and available to react to all the stupidity coming from this administration all the time. But in the inside, I’m super angry. And because I’m also super petty, I’m relishing in a ton of schadenfreude because you know that’s healthy… But anyway, let’s keep this positive! A few weeks ago, I received my results from 23andMe! I…
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There’s No Crying in Baseball, or a Law Firm
Just like in baseball, there’s no crying in a law firm. Sorry, but I am staunchly on #teamnocry when it comes to showcasing emotions at work. I feel bad saying this because we should be able to show displeasure and sometimes we can’t control our physical reaction to anger or frustration. I am totally guilty of this–I actually cry pretty easily. But this is the stance I take because I fear when you allow your emotions to overcome you in a way that allows others to mark you as vulnerable, it’s an incredibly difficult hole to get out of–not that it’s not possible, but it can take a while to…
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Summer Series: The Journey to Law School
Our Summer Series for Summer 16 comes to an end! This series highlights different Latina students and law grads as they embark in their summer jobs and/or bar prep all across the country. We hope to provide a variety of work experiences, options for a healthy work-life balance, and general motivation through different guest contributors to help you to take charge of your summer and professional goals! Today we hear from Nataly, a rising 1L, committed to immigrant and farmworker justice as she gears up for her first semester of law school while balancing the guilt that comes with bucking our traditions: Earlier in the spring, I opened up an email from the school I…