I learned a little about my brain today. We had a presentation at work, Your Brain at Work, by Terry Small. I’ve been trying to figure out ways to maintain my interests and passions, while also working full time, being a good parent, keeping my house clean, bills paid, emails read, and oh! there’s my blog to write as well! This was a refreshing way to spend a Monday afternoon at work!
There was a tonne of interesting information that I absorbed in the two hour presentation, but the random bits and pieces I want to remember are these:
My problem? What exactly is that dream? I don’t want to be an Administrative Assistant for much longer, and now that the kids aren’t babies anymore, I am starting to wonder exactly where I should go with my career.
The first thing that comes off the top is Community Organizer. I’m running to be a Director of our newly formed Oak Bay Community Association at the Annual General Meeting on April 18th. If I’m successful, I will have a two year term to throw myself into building my community. I am still reading Jim Diers’ book, Neighbor Power, and am finding it very inspiring. But I don’t think there are very many jobs that pay Community Organizers in small cities like Victoria, so I think this work will probably be of the volunteer variety.
I’m also trying to convince my husband that I should apply to Law School. He’s not thrilled about the idea (understandably) of me returning to school for the next few years. The financial burden would be substantial, just when we are able to see light at the end of the tunnel. I have thought about Law School since I was a teenager, and I think I will at least try writing the LSAT, just to see how I do.
There’s also the Masters of Communications idea, but it doesn’t quite feel like the challenge I’m seeking. I think I want the self-respect of the credentials, as much as the career.
In my search for the right direction, I came across an article about Michelle Obama celebrating March as Women’s History Month by visiting high schools in Washington.
“I wanted an A … I wanted to be smart, I wanted to be the person who had the right answer,” said Mrs. Obama, a lawyer and former hospital executive in Chicago. “I ran into people in my life who told me, ‘You can’t do it, you’re not as smart as that person.’ And that never stopped me. That always made me push harder, because I was like, ‘I’m going to prove you wrong.’”
She encouraged the students to pursue a college education because of the doors it will open. There’s no need for them to know what they want to be before they get to college, she said, emphasizing that the goal is simply to get there and that it begins with hard work.
What struck me about this article most? The instant credibility boost, trust, respect, and all that goes with, “said Mrs. Obama, a lawyer and…” You see? Not only do I love the idea of law school teaching me how to persuade and build a better argument, but I want to have some of that credibility stock that comes with the title of Lawyer too.
I’ve called myself an advocate….maybe I can go the distance and be un advocat quand même!
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