Today I’m feeling discouraged . . . and stuck. I’m learning more and more about myself and my interests by researching various jobs that sound exciting. I also took a few career assessment tests which confirmed I belong in a more creative, less traditional, type of career. I’ve been working to narrow down a few jobs that I actually want to do and would thrive in. So far this is what I’ve come up with:
- Book editor/publisher
- Newscaster
- Actor
- Author/writer
While each of these jobs light up my soul in a different way (as opposed to my soul shrinking deeper into the dark abyss when I think about any sort of legal job), I hear a record scratch in my head when I get to the starting salaries (the median being around $50k). I racked up $200k in student loan debt to become an attorney and I’ve become accustomed to living with a salary that is triple that of the fun jobs, so I’m not sure whether I even can live off such a low sum, especially in LA. Plus, I’m a hypochondriac so, like, I need good insurance.
I know, I know, I’m whining about third world problems, but I’m sure my fellow unhappy lawyers out there will understand the brain-rattling conundrum that is the golden handcuffs.
So, now, I’m thinking I should stick the law out for a few more years and try to work on my passions (writing/acting) on the side and see where they lead me. If I transition to estate planning, hopefully my after-hours time will free up a bit – emphasis on the hopefully. My inspiration is Ken Jeong, who always had a passion and talent for comedy, but who got sucked into the even more all-consuming world of medicine. He found a way to make it work. Maybe I, too, will have my big break in my 40s? Ugh, I guess that means I’ll just continue my slow disintegration until then.
Fuck corporate America for making us so dependent on this fictional concept that is the dollar.
The rat race continues for now, friends. I actually should get back to work; I’m wasting billable hours writing this, eek!
Yours truly,
Lady Esquire
Leave a Reply