I'm officially done with craigslist job postings. It seems that almost everytime I apply for a "legit" job, I get a spam email within the next 24 hours. Aside from that, there is a potential good opportunity in the works.
I'm constantly reminding myself that this job search will take some time. I keep wanting to press the accelerator, while it seems everything around me is pressing the brake pedal. I think I've pretty much conquered this situation mentally. It took about 2 weeks to settle into reality and comes to grips and peace with what happened.
There's a still small voice that reminds me that in the grand scheme that is my life, this is simply a small plateau.
In things more relevant to the origins of this blog, I have a mock bar exam on Saturday. It covers all the material I've learned thus far during my first 2 years. All we're required to do is simply take it. They reveal the names of those who pass it. Classes past have only had a small handful of people pass, so I'm not really going all out for it.
I'm not excited that 7 hours of my Saturday will be spent head-scratching and pencil-breaking.
For now, I'm patiently waiting to see how God pans out a very positive prospective job. I'll keep you updated as things progress.
-Jesse
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Landing a J-O-B
This is temporarily going to become my blog about becoming employed in a full-time job. It seems that some days there are three or four jobs that cry out "That's me!", while other days there's absolutely nothing that fits my skill set.
As of today, I've applied for 11 jobs, spanning various fields. My primary focus is getting a legal assistant/paralegal position. It makes the most sense since I now have only 2 years of law school left.
So far, I've had one phone interview and one other response which I have a gut feeling was a scam. Who in the world scams for a law firm job?
Yesterday was by far the most emotionally exhausting day in this hunt for a new job. Today is much better. The past few days have been much for fruitful, with more relevant job openings appearing. In the last 2 days alone, I've applied for 6 jobs, all of them I could see myself working in.
I'll try to do daily posts or semi-daily posts. I think it will be fascinating to look back on these posts once I'm working full-time again.
In the meantime, I'm working as many hours as I can at Fulin's (sigh, but a thankful sigh)
-Jesse
As of today, I've applied for 11 jobs, spanning various fields. My primary focus is getting a legal assistant/paralegal position. It makes the most sense since I now have only 2 years of law school left.
So far, I've had one phone interview and one other response which I have a gut feeling was a scam. Who in the world scams for a law firm job?
Yesterday was by far the most emotionally exhausting day in this hunt for a new job. Today is much better. The past few days have been much for fruitful, with more relevant job openings appearing. In the last 2 days alone, I've applied for 6 jobs, all of them I could see myself working in.
I'll try to do daily posts or semi-daily posts. I think it will be fascinating to look back on these posts once I'm working full-time again.
In the meantime, I'm working as many hours as I can at Fulin's (sigh, but a thankful sigh)
-Jesse
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Patience
This post is difficult. The past several days have been spent trying to make things happen, with the outcome of nothing happening. I suppose I could use this to vent. But, people who complain online irritate me. The last thing I want to come across as is irritating.
Almost two weeks ago I lost my job. Thank God my secondary job has allowed me to pick up more hours. Perhaps I was overly optimistic when I reasoned that I would work as many hours as I could until I was able to land another full-time job.
Interesting emotions have begun to set in. Some good, most bad. I'm discovering how much I depended on my job title/position as my place of importance in this world. I could easily label myself as just a server now, but that would exclude every single achievement and accomplishment I've done. It would also forget that I'm about to begin my third year of law school with the previous two years displaying the amazing favor of God.
Interesting thoughts have entered my mind. "You're not hirable". "Your resume won't stand out". "You'll have to settle for less". "This job can't pay the bills, you'll lose your house".
I imagine if I was single and simply floating through life that this experience may not be as traumatic. Add a wife, a baby, a mortgage, and everything else and suddenly your problems seem to be exponentially magnified.
The strongest emotion I've had to face is feeling sorry for myself. Why is it tempting to simply sit in a corner and suck my thumb waiting for someone to throw me some sympathy? I try to catch this early on, and remind myself of who I am, who my Father is, and why I refuse to identify myself in this way.
As for right now, I'm learning patience. I'm learning that it doesn't come easy, quick, or conveniently.
Almost two weeks ago I lost my job. Thank God my secondary job has allowed me to pick up more hours. Perhaps I was overly optimistic when I reasoned that I would work as many hours as I could until I was able to land another full-time job.
Interesting emotions have begun to set in. Some good, most bad. I'm discovering how much I depended on my job title/position as my place of importance in this world. I could easily label myself as just a server now, but that would exclude every single achievement and accomplishment I've done. It would also forget that I'm about to begin my third year of law school with the previous two years displaying the amazing favor of God.
Interesting thoughts have entered my mind. "You're not hirable". "Your resume won't stand out". "You'll have to settle for less". "This job can't pay the bills, you'll lose your house".
I imagine if I was single and simply floating through life that this experience may not be as traumatic. Add a wife, a baby, a mortgage, and everything else and suddenly your problems seem to be exponentially magnified.
The strongest emotion I've had to face is feeling sorry for myself. Why is it tempting to simply sit in a corner and suck my thumb waiting for someone to throw me some sympathy? I try to catch this early on, and remind myself of who I am, who my Father is, and why I refuse to identify myself in this way.
As for right now, I'm learning patience. I'm learning that it doesn't come easy, quick, or conveniently.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
A New Direction
I had it planned out. The next two years of my life, all charted out and organized. To my surprise, that plan has been turned on its head. In respect to certain people close to me, I'll reserve specific details from this post. But I'm now facing a new direction in my career and couldn't be more excited to see where God takes me.
Now that I'm beginning my third year, it seems both fitting and appropriate to begin building a firm foundation in the nuts and bolts of the legal world. Where this takes me, I'm not sure. Yes, it's scary not knowing what lies ahead. But there's a calming peace that God is opening a fantastic opportunity in the coming weeks. I'll keep you posted as things develop.
For now, we're (Heather, Violet, and I) fine and surrounded by loved ones with much encouragement and support. Thanks for reading!
Jesse
Now that I'm beginning my third year, it seems both fitting and appropriate to begin building a firm foundation in the nuts and bolts of the legal world. Where this takes me, I'm not sure. Yes, it's scary not knowing what lies ahead. But there's a calming peace that God is opening a fantastic opportunity in the coming weeks. I'll keep you posted as things develop.
For now, we're (Heather, Violet, and I) fine and surrounded by loved ones with much encouragement and support. Thanks for reading!
Jesse
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Winter Waiting
I'm now at the point where I'm anxious to start school again. I'm sick of having too much free time, it makes me feel unproductive. It sounds ridiculous to say something like that, but I have to constantly be doing something.
But the three months off have allowed me to see some great developmental moments in my daughter, Violet's life. For example, she can mimic alot of simple verbal phrases, which makes for some hilarious moments. She can now walk periodically, although she's best motivated by walking to a stuffed animal or a place in the house where she knows she can cause trouble.
This break has also been great because it broke down my routine. At the end of last year I was the epitome of a cog in a machine. Eat. Work. Study. School. Sleep. It's been a nice vacation from Study and School.
When I was gearing up for my second year at this time last year I was nervous and worried. Would I be able to hash through these classes? Could I repeat the success I had somehow stumbled upon during my first year?
This year is different. I feel ready. It's not arrogance, but confidence. I have a game plan. I know how to best prepare in a way that suits my style of studying. I spent last year honing my studying abilities I had discovered as a first year student.
Thinking about third year, my mindset is "another year to put in the books". This is far from the "Holy crap I hope I make it!" desperation I felt last year.
I'm excited to take more specialized classes and not so much of the core essentials that law students have grown to despise. My father spends a great deal of his practice on wills and estate planning, and I'm excited I finally get to learn the nuts and bolts of this area of law.
I'm a little nervous about moot court, mostly because I'm unfamimiar with how it will work. To be honest, I'm a little intimidated at the thought of presenting a make-believe case to a real-life judge. I'm sure that experience will produce a nice blog post or three.
One month to go until classes start. I have to remind myself to enjoy this time off. But that's hard to do when you just want to be done with school and start doing this thing in real life.
Bye for now!
But the three months off have allowed me to see some great developmental moments in my daughter, Violet's life. For example, she can mimic alot of simple verbal phrases, which makes for some hilarious moments. She can now walk periodically, although she's best motivated by walking to a stuffed animal or a place in the house where she knows she can cause trouble.
This break has also been great because it broke down my routine. At the end of last year I was the epitome of a cog in a machine. Eat. Work. Study. School. Sleep. It's been a nice vacation from Study and School.
When I was gearing up for my second year at this time last year I was nervous and worried. Would I be able to hash through these classes? Could I repeat the success I had somehow stumbled upon during my first year?
This year is different. I feel ready. It's not arrogance, but confidence. I have a game plan. I know how to best prepare in a way that suits my style of studying. I spent last year honing my studying abilities I had discovered as a first year student.
Thinking about third year, my mindset is "another year to put in the books". This is far from the "Holy crap I hope I make it!" desperation I felt last year.
I'm excited to take more specialized classes and not so much of the core essentials that law students have grown to despise. My father spends a great deal of his practice on wills and estate planning, and I'm excited I finally get to learn the nuts and bolts of this area of law.
I'm a little nervous about moot court, mostly because I'm unfamimiar with how it will work. To be honest, I'm a little intimidated at the thought of presenting a make-believe case to a real-life judge. I'm sure that experience will produce a nice blog post or three.
One month to go until classes start. I have to remind myself to enjoy this time off. But that's hard to do when you just want to be done with school and start doing this thing in real life.
Bye for now!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Book Smart, Brain Dead
The one thing that irks me about Facebook is the tendency for some people to make their lives look picturesque. These people want you to believe that life throws them no curve balls. In all honesty, sometimes I attempt to do this. Maybe I feel embarrassed or ashamed in having to admit a fault, a mistake, or just a bad circumstance that I'm going through.
The one thing I struggle most with is trying to please everyone. "Can't we all just get along!" is my mantra. If peace can be had wherever I'm at, I'm all for it. If someone voices dissatisfaction in something I've done, I can condemn myself to the point where it really starts depressing me.
I know looking forward into my future that this tendency to please people will come to a head. Legal issues are commonly messy, often solved with a fair dose of compromise. Not everyone gets what they want. Will I be able to accept a client's criticism of an outcome if things don't go as planned?
One thing that's helped prepare me for this is observing my father and how he conducts his practice. He tells stories, I ask questions. I'm fascinated by how he handles sensitive situations while maintaining integrity and the favor of his clients.
Law school instructs you in what the law is and how to advocate, but "people skills" is a more valuable asset developed by time and experience.
I am ineffective if I cannot clearly communicate to my future clients and work with them towards a favorable result.
One day I was browsing through my father's legal materials while I came across a recent copy of the Tennessee Bar Journal. The first few pages were dedicated to listings of practicing attorneys who had been suspended or disbarred because of unethical/stupid behavior in handling their clients' legal matters.
I sat in disbelief as I read how some of these attorneys got into trouble. One attorney failed to notify his client of the result of his case that went on appeal. Another signed agreements with indigent female clients for sex in exchange for his legal services.
Honestly, law school can't change your behavior, morality, character, and overall how you conduct yourself in front of others. It simply provides you with some knowledge and a little bit of know-how. The rest is up to you...
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Looking Back on 2010
"There's no way you can do this again"
"You have a wife and a kid, you simply don't have time for this"
"Even if you try, you'll fail"
Rewind to January 2010. These thoughts were viciously swimming in my mind night and day. I knew what I was getting into. Second year if law school is a "slug it out" year. 4 classes, most of them are dense. And they last 9....long...months.
And let's not forget that 3 out of 4 have cumulative finals.
But to any upcoming second year student, I tell you this: it can be done, and done well.
Anyone who knows me closely knows that I'm a perfectionist. It can become a disease if not handled properly. This year I was constantly making sure I had everything down, worrying I might miss something. In the end, I did phenomenal this year. I surpassed the already high bar that I set for myself at the beginning of the year.
And it amazes me at how many students just try to get by. I understand this is simply training grounds, but deep down we are planting seeds as to how we will conduct ourselves as attorneys. I want to be the best. Not so that it leads to a better income, not for the recognition.
But because when I meet with a client, I want them to know that I'm the best. That I'm the most skilled person who can handle their legal needs. And I firmly believe that what I do now in my studies has a direct affect on who I'll be 5-40 years from now.
But, I step down from my soapbox....
My wife, Heather, has given me alot of grace this year. She's allowed me to study late at night while she took care of Violet. There were many Saturday mornings where I was with my study group while she was at home. She directly contributed to my success.
In the end, my formula for doing well in law school is anti-climactic. I don't take shortcuts. I slug it out. I don't back down. I don't let up off the gas. I simply...keep.... going.
I can't tell you how many demons I faced this year: financial, physical, mental, psychological. They became shouting, sometimes screaming, distractions. They were hard to ignore, I learned how to tune them out and hone in.
To any law student, I offer this advice:
Tune distractions out. Hone in on perfecting your craft as a law student. Read and brief EVRY case. Outline class material. It amazes me that some second year students still don't outline. Learn to write well-organized essays that address every possible legal issue. Find a good study group that challenges you. I can't tell you how much my study group has contributed to my success. Finally, think logically. Don't randomly answer a multistate question because your brain hurts. Think through it by process of elimination. That is all.
See you soon, third year
"You have a wife and a kid, you simply don't have time for this"
"Even if you try, you'll fail"
Rewind to January 2010. These thoughts were viciously swimming in my mind night and day. I knew what I was getting into. Second year if law school is a "slug it out" year. 4 classes, most of them are dense. And they last 9....long...months.
And let's not forget that 3 out of 4 have cumulative finals.
But to any upcoming second year student, I tell you this: it can be done, and done well.
Anyone who knows me closely knows that I'm a perfectionist. It can become a disease if not handled properly. This year I was constantly making sure I had everything down, worrying I might miss something. In the end, I did phenomenal this year. I surpassed the already high bar that I set for myself at the beginning of the year.
And it amazes me at how many students just try to get by. I understand this is simply training grounds, but deep down we are planting seeds as to how we will conduct ourselves as attorneys. I want to be the best. Not so that it leads to a better income, not for the recognition.
But because when I meet with a client, I want them to know that I'm the best. That I'm the most skilled person who can handle their legal needs. And I firmly believe that what I do now in my studies has a direct affect on who I'll be 5-40 years from now.
But, I step down from my soapbox....
My wife, Heather, has given me alot of grace this year. She's allowed me to study late at night while she took care of Violet. There were many Saturday mornings where I was with my study group while she was at home. She directly contributed to my success.
In the end, my formula for doing well in law school is anti-climactic. I don't take shortcuts. I slug it out. I don't back down. I don't let up off the gas. I simply...keep.... going.
I can't tell you how many demons I faced this year: financial, physical, mental, psychological. They became shouting, sometimes screaming, distractions. They were hard to ignore, I learned how to tune them out and hone in.
To any law student, I offer this advice:
Tune distractions out. Hone in on perfecting your craft as a law student. Read and brief EVRY case. Outline class material. It amazes me that some second year students still don't outline. Learn to write well-organized essays that address every possible legal issue. Find a good study group that challenges you. I can't tell you how much my study group has contributed to my success. Finally, think logically. Don't randomly answer a multistate question because your brain hurts. Think through it by process of elimination. That is all.
See you soon, third year
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