Trying to figure out a career

So, we've moved to our new city, DH is enjoying his first post-residency job, I'm enjoying our new city and having my DH back after 4 years of a brutal residency, and overall I feel happy and inspired for the first time in 4 years.

Now all I need to do is find a job, or more specifically a career.

I have a law degree, graduated a few years ago from law school, but never practiced due to the fact that practicing law is not for me. Back in our old city, which I lived in from the end of law school until a few weeks ago, employers took one look at my law degree and wouldn't hire me (for entry-level positions in non-profits, etc.) The problem is I don't have the experience for a more experienced position, but no one wants to hire me for an entry-level position, as they say "you're overqualified," "you'll get bored and leave," etc. It's frustrating.

Now I'm in my new city, and have been applying for jobs and sending out resumes, and encountering this attitude again. If I leave my law degree off my resume, I have a big 3-year gap and also a lot of my good experience was during law school in the form of summer jobs. So I have to keep it.

I'm interested in the non-profit sector mainly. I'm also very interested in returning to school. I did a post-bacc after law school, finished all my pre-med requirements and took the MCAT, in the hopes of getting into med school. I applied once and did not get in anywhere, so I felt defeated and gave up temporarily on the med school idea. I'm also interested in dental school, and would just need to take the DAT as I have all the pre-med pre-reqs done already. Another grad degree I'm interested in is clinical psych, though as I was not a psych major in college I'd need to do basically a post-bacc for psych, and take a bunch of psych classes and possibly do research in order to be a competitive candidate for grad school in this field.

I'm also considering starting a business. But for this year, I need to find a job while I consider grad school.

It's taken me three years of being unable to make up my mind about jobs--and grad school. And I still can't decide. I recently read a book called "Refuse to Choose" about a personality type called Scanners--of which I believe I am--a person who has trouble deciding on a career because they are interested in so many different things. I feel that way. I've been unable to choose because all of these seem like good options, and if I choose one I have to forego the others. The book suggested that an "umbrella career" that would cover several interests in one career might be a good way to go, but I'm unsure how to combine all my interests in one career. I've seen numerous career counselors but no one has been able to help, amazingly enough.

I'm just tossing ideas around and trying to figure out how to decide once and for all. I'm turning 30 this year, and would really like to get started on a career. I feel really bad that I haven't yet had a career. Med school is my first choice, but as I've been with DH through his med school, intern year and residency, I've seen firsthand the medical path's many, many cons.

[DCJenn]

Have you considered advocacy? With your law background, it'd be highly beneficial and you get to work helping people. Nearly every 'group' has professional advocates attached to it- either mandated by the individual state or people start their own when they become disgusted by what they see.

Here are two links to the kind of places I'm talking about:

http://www.advocacyinc.org
http://www.dcqualitytrust.org

The key part of advocacy is passionate belief fighting for people who can't (for whatever reason) fight forthemselves.

Do you have any issues that you're passionate abou?- then do some research and find out who their advocacy groups are- you may have to volunteer to start- or take a part-time position at first, but heck, your particular skill set is highly valued in social services.

Jenn

[Tenacious_D]

My recommendation comes in large part because I work in a business school. I think you might want to talk to an experienced career coach who can help you sort out your interests and help your resume and interview skills. Many students and alums who are in a rut get a lot out of those meetings. If you are in a big city, it will be much easier to find one but they can be a little pricey. Hope this helps.

I've tried several professional career coaches--but they haven't helped. They just have me do exercises that I've already done a bunch of times over--and when I tell them that they don't know how else to help me. So not sure if I should just keep trying career coaches--or what. I've also used my alumni career offices as well.

Great idea jloreine, I had never heard of this option. This sounds like something I'd be very interested in. I don't think I've seen these positions on idealist.org, a site I've applied to jobs from. What other sites, if you know of others, do you know of that list advocacy positions?

Is this the same as lobbying--or is it different? I found a site titled "political advocacy groups: A Directory of United States Lobbyists." Is this in line with what you're describing?

My main interests in terms of non-profits are: healthcare, legal, environmental, animals, women's issues, education.

Thanks!

[DCJenn]

It can be both, although most advocacy groups that I've ever worked with are kind of "get out the troops and storm the state capital" kinds of advocacy. Tina, the Exec Dir of the Trust in DC testifies quite often for the city and the feds as the DC MR system is more screwed up than anyone could believe.

I'd go through a number of channels-legal aid bureaus, the non-profits themselves, google, idealist may have something in the legal section and I'd also check the volunteers section- if for no other reason than to see if you can find resources and contacts.

Also, CASA is a good group to check- they're the advocates for children in the court system- I'm pretty sure they're nationwide. Contact women's shelter and they may be able to steer you to their advocacy and support groups.

Jenn

Also, CASA is a good group to check- they're the advocates for children in the court system- I'm pretty sure they're nationwide. Contact women's shelter and they may be able to steer you to their advocacy and support groups.

Jenn

I was thinking something similar, like guardian ad litem for children or disabled adults. Legal Aid might be a good place to look into as well.