2010's first big change

In 2000 I graduated from law school and decided that I wanted to travel and work overseas before jumping into my profession. I figured my profession would always be there for me and a 2 year hiatus would not matter. I eagerly departed for a 2 year stint with the JET program working as an assistant language teacher in Japan. While there I was able to immerse myself in another culture, learn a bit of a new language, travel through some of South East Asia (including Vietnam), make great life long friends and generally have a great time. When I returned to Canada in 2002 I thought I would be able to jump into my profession and before long be on the path to a fulfilling and successful career. Well things have not turned out as I had imagined. It started well...I took a job as a legal researcher at a great firm in Halifax. Unfortunately they didn't offer articling (legal apprenticeship required to be called to the bar) so I took an articling position with a refugee clinic that I had been volunteering with. Here is the perfect job for me I thought. The work was incredibly interesting and fulfilling, everything I had hoped for. Unfortunately the director of the clinic was a megalomaniac (possibly borderline psychotic) and I could not stay when my contract was up (sadly the clinic has since collapsed as a result of this person's issues). From that point on I have bounced from crummy small firm to crummy small firm working with some of the weirdest and most unprofessional people one could imagine. All of the stereotypes of the legal profession were in front of me on a daily basis. I contemplated changing careers, moving countries etc. Nothing about this career choice seemed to be working for me. I wondered if going to Japan as opposed to articling right away had been a mistake. Most of my fellow graduates were either partners in their private firms or were secure in a cushy government position. What was to become of me I wondered. I am not one to spend time self wallowing in regret. Life is what it is and you have to move on. I refused to regret the wonderful time I had in Japan. It is a part of who I am today. I figured something would come along eventually. I didn't know how long it would take or in which form it would come.

Well today something did come along and after a lot of soul searching I have decided it is in a form that I can be happy with. A bit more background...Last year I accepted a job as a contract lawyer with a large Canadian firm's Ottawa office. I had a wonderful time there. There were no petty office politics as with small firms, mainly because they had an HR department. This was quite a novelty to me. It was a professional and warm environment which surprised me because I had always thought large firms were soulless factories and therefore not for me. At this firm I was treated with respect and appreciation, something I had rarely felt at the small firms where I had worked previously. Sadly my contract ended and I was once more thrust into the uncertain world of unemployment. This was a difficult time as we had the adoption proceeding but little stability. We were contemplating having to move. Well, last month I heard through a friend that the firm I had so enjoyed working at last year could be looking for a law clerk to fill a role that required a level of experience that a lawyer would best suit. I contacted them right away. I wrestled a bit with the knowledge that I would essentially be working below my education level but in the end the reasonable hours and job security won out. I felt that this job was the best fir for me, my husband and Van. This is what our little family needed right now. Time to check the ego at the door as it were. So today the call came and I without hesitation and with tears in my eyes (happiness I assure you!) accepted their job offer! The terms of the contract are better then I could have hoped for and I feel like a gigantic weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

My one sadness is that I will not be able to stay home with Van. However, Pat is eager to fill that role and be a stay at home dad for the first few months. I think in the long run it will all be for the best. I can look forward to being the one to stay home with the next little one. At least I will have job stability, normal working hours (a rarity in my profession) and we will be able to stay in Ottawa...yay...

The first change of 2010 is a good one. I can't wait for the next big change!!!

Meg