Lawyer Career Outlook
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Our class has students who are in various stages of undergraduate life. Some of us know exactly what we want to do and how we are going to get there but others may still be willing to adjust their paths for a different careers. Considering the fact that I was still making changes to my degree program the summer before my senior year I think it’s pretty safe to say that people can change their plans pretty late. My recent interview with a lawyer prompted me to think about what people may look for in a career.
Most people will tell you to do what you love because you don’t want a job that you don’t like. However, I think that many people can search out a job in a field they have a potential to love, they don’t necessarily have to love it before they get into it (although, admittedly that may not always work). Considering the state of the job market I thought this article was a pretty interesting and quick read. It’s more of a news bulletin than a news article because the focus is informative and it isn’t really giving any advice, but it is important none the less. It gives the projections for the best industries for growth. Someone unsure about where they want to eventually end up could find something like this very helpful. Finding a job that fits you in an industry that has a bright future is a pretty good plan for success or at least the potential for success. Health care is reported to add 4 million jobs over the next 10 years and professional and business services are expected to do something similar with 4.2 million jobs added.
With those being broad categories, it could be easy for someone to find a specific job within those fields that interests then and would work long term. In addition to the positive, the article also lists a few industries that are expected to shed jobs in the future. This information is equally important when deciding what career path to take.
All in all, the article pretty much puts forward the information and it’s up to the reader how they want to use it. I think planning a career path while still in school would be a pretty good use….
Haven’t seen your posts in a while (I haven’t been able to put out any meaningful posts lately either). Very succint pointers off your readings and experiences. However, what is the strategy for handling situations where things are spiraling downhill, just out of curiosity?
Comment by Stanley — February 3, 2010 #
@ Stanley – Not sure what you mean, “spiraling downhill” but if you’re talking in reference to your career, it’s probably time to jump ship (or maybe you’ll be forced to soon). You should always be paying attention to what your next step is even if you’re happy in your job. Good luck!
Comment by Rebecca Thorman — February 3, 2010 #
Well considering I usually stay ridiculously late (my best thinking is probably done between 11pm-2am) maybe I’m a creative (at least by these definitions). I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive of one another though. I’d venture Steve Jobs, Tony Hsieh, Jeff Bezos, etc. are both, no?
That said, I certainly agree with all three main points of this post. I don’t think that people who let their job title define (and confine) them are very business savvy or creative. I’m always looking for ways to solve problems I encounter…
For example. Wanted to get my haircut yesterday and looked the place up online… No hours of operation anywhere to be found. Opportunity to help make some changes to their website for a little supplemental income? Maybe. Probably not, but I try to constantly think that way.
Good stuff Rebecca!
Comment by Ryan Stephens — February 3, 2010 #
@ Ryan – The test was just a little bit of fun… : ) But I agree, there are mixtures and if you’re that magical combination of both, like my CEO, you send emails long after your employees have turned out their lights and still manage to be the first to arrive at the office. I would definitely call you a creative! Is that not how you define yourself? Always curious on how people label themselves…
Comment by Rebecca Thorman — February 3, 2010 #
This is really interesting. I’m definitely creative-minded, although I don’t stay up late every night. Besemer sounds like a really cool guy, and I like his outlook on life and his career. The first point is essential. We can’t let our job title limit us. Instead, we have to take the tasks and responsibilities that we’re given and make them our own. Although we may not think so at the time, challenges are what make life interesting and help us grow. So, it makes complete sense to me that problem-solving would help encourage us to strive for success. Thanks for sharing this perspective!
Comment by Sam Karol — February 3, 2010 #
@ Sam – I don’t stay up late every night either… primarly because I don’t like sleeping in too late! I’m with you on job titles. If you ask me what I do, I’ll tell you I lead PR & Community at my company, but I’m not working towards a career in PR and social media whatsoever. A bit sideways to most, but that strategy has always worked for me : )
Comment by Rebecca Thorman — February 3, 2010 #
I’m a problem solver by nature – I like nothing more than being presented with a challenge and left to solve it on my own…the key phrase here being “on my own.” Whatever your title may be, having the latitude to creatively solve challenges opens up tremendous possibilities in your career. I’m currently unsure of what my “job title” is (long-term intern? part-time marketing creative?) and it’s been bugging me as I’m trying to design business cards for my trip to SXSW. I was really hung up on the title until this post – it confirmed my feelings that titles don’t account for much in an age of continuously-evolving career opportunities. I tend to take try to take any opportunity (whether it’s one I’m presented with at work or one that I find on my own) and run with it. As for my sleeping habits – you’ll find me watching midnight reruns of Jeopardy on GSN and off to work at 7:30…so I guess you could say I burn the candle at both ends.
I think that the Besemer (and your CEO at Alice) seem like the ideal blend of creative & business sense. Thanks for the thought-provoking post!
Comment by Ellen — February 3, 2010 #
@ Ellen – Thanks so much for sharing your story. That’s so interesting that you say that my CEO is the ideal blend of creative and business sense. I mean, I agree, mostly, but I often think about how he probably doesn’t have the ideal blend of work and life. I look up more to my direct boss, our President for that. A bit of a tangent, but you made me think about how burning the candle on both ends is seen to be the best thing… I’m not so sure, ha. : ). Anyway, so excited you’re going to SXSW – I need some buddies there!
Comment by Rebecca Thorman — February 3, 2010 #
Nice post. The official unofficial job title I get introduced as and is in the signature of my emails is “Social Media Chef.” I work for 2 restaurants, doing a very large range of things from social media strategy and upkeep, to blog writing, to designing and compiling email newsletters, shooting editing video, and so on.
I’d say I’m creative minded, although I habitually organize creative thoughts and try to apply them to my work whenever possible.I try to Creatively write entertaining ads and be the storyteller of news to the customers instead of just talking at them.
Comment by Preston — February 3, 2010 #
@ Preston – Love the title. It’s always interesting to come up with new ways to describe how we work today. And I agree, storytelling is so key! Thanks for the comment : )
Comment by Rebecca Thorman — February 3, 2010 #
I don’t think it’s just the remit of designers to apply creativity to what they do, but all too often people think that folks in creative jobs (designers, creative directors, copywriters, etc) have exclusivity on that trait.
I’ve worked with clients who have wanted to move into “more creative” work because they’re bored in their current field, but who haven’t realised they haven’t tried to apply creativity to their role.
They haven’t bust out the borders on their job title because they’re waiting for their environment to tell them they can do that. They’re operating by others’ expectations rather than their own creativity.
I know I perform better in every single part of my life when I bring creativity to it – career, friendships, dating, health, etc.
Great subject Rebecca
Comment by Steve Errey — February 4, 2010 #
Fun article. I stubbornly disagree with the equation:
getting up early = businessman
staying up late = creative
It can go either way. Some creatives work better early in the morning. So there!
Bessmer must stay up late. Biased, I suppose.
Comment by Cynthi — February 4, 2010 #
Ha, my job title was vague to what I was/have been doing at my job. I read the job description and besides asking for an MBA and 7 years experience (I had neither, I’ve mentioned that here before in other comments) I stepped outside of the written perimeters of the job.
This is probably due to the fact that startups require a lot of ‘hat wearing’ but also because if I wanted to do something that I felt would benefit the company or had an idea, I could run with it (as long as it made some sort of sense). Finally, I just told my boss that I wanted a title change (suggested it rather than told;) reframed what I can do (more open ended) and also hired someone else to continue what I have been doing for the past year and a half.
I enjoyed reading these thoughts and interviews. I also like how obsolete job titles are
Comment by Grace Boyle — February 4, 2010 #
Rebecca: great post, thanks again. Just thought I’d chime in on the early/late component. Yes, I’m usually a late guy – mostly because there’s less chance for interruptions. BUT. A friend turned me on to writing in the morning. Wake up, make coffee (in my case, diet mountain dew), and write/create for 30 minutes before your brain has a chance to re-rut itself for the day. Oh the places you’ll go.
Comment by john besmer — February 4, 2010 #
Love the application of design and careers. Rob and I talk about this a lot. That idea of the energy you create by discipline and momentum.
Comment by Tiffany Monhollon — February 5, 2010 #