Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Knock on Wood

My dad doesn't believe things happen for a reason.  He's much more of a believer in coincidences and making your own luck.  That's one way to go I guess and maybe he's right.  When I look at my life, though, I just see too many coincidences that are just too coincidental to be simply chance.  I believe there's a plan, I believe things happen for a reason, I believe we are being led and it's up to us to listen and make the most of every opportunity. 

One example of why I believe that is here.  Here's another:

My first job interview after I moved to New York in June was with a firm that had put up a job posting on a local site.  They were looking for an associate attorney but the post didn't give many details.  I checked out the website and it was a full-service firm that does everything from personal injury, to estate planning, to criminal law, to family law.  I applied and they called me for an interview.  I prepared harder for that interview than I've ever prepared for an interview.  The stakes were so high because I had just put all my chips on New York and my bank account was dwindling.  This was my first chance and I didn't know when I'd get another.  I needed this job.

It wasn't until I got there and sat in front of the partners and the HR manager that I learned that the interview was in the criminal law department.  I knew then I probably wasn't going to get it.  If I'd known going in it was for criminal law, I likely wouldn't even have applied.  I have absolutely zero criminal law experience.  I'm not even sure why they wanted to meet me.  But this was my first interview and the only one I had lined up so far, so I still tried my best.  The interview was amazing.  One of the best I've ever had.  We all chatted and laughed and had an actual conversation that went on for an hour.  By the end, I didn't even care that the job was in criminal law, I just wanted to get to work there everyday. 

I didn't get that job though.  I understood.  Like I said, I didn't have the experience they needed.  I had a few more interviews at other firms over the summer and eventually gratefully and enthusiastically accepted a job at a mortgage and banking firm doing real estate law.  I never thought I would practice in that area, but beggars can't be choosers in this economy.  What I really wanted to do was family law.  It's what I went to law school wanting to do, what the bulk of my experience during law school was dedicated to, and the area of law I have always enjoyed the most.  The first job offer I had out of law school which was later rescinded because of the economy was in family law.  It's what I really wanted, but you just don't have the luxury of waiting for exactly what you want these days.  The opportunities are too few and far between

As of last week, I'd been at that firm for just shy of two months.  I've met some amazing people I adore.  I've already been able to start going to court by myself and it's still scary but I've gotten more confident.  That job has meant I got to pay off my car and start planning my wedding (finally!).  It's been a blessing. 

But out of the blue, I got a phone call.  That same firm where I had my first New York interview remembered me and my family law-heavy resume, we'd had a great interview and they'd been sorry they couldn't make me an offer, but they now had a position available in their family law department and would I be interested?

Um.....YEEEEEEEEEEEES!

So I quit my job last Wednesday.  I explained why and apologized, and they could not have been more understanding and fantastic.  You have to go with your gut and your heart, they said.  I'm really grateful to them for the opportunity they gave me and their support.  And I'm so excited to have another opportunity to do what I really want to do. 

Yesterday was my first day. 

So, yeah, I believe things happen for a reason.  I believe there's a plan.  I believe you have to make the most of every opportunity and listen to the voice inside. 

After a year of truly feeling like I couldn't see my way out of the muck and not knowing how things would unfold and being anxious and unsettled and scared, I finally feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be and everything is in place.  I'm relieved and grateful and happy.  I'm just going to soak all this all is well up for as long as it lasts. 

4 comments:

LWhits said...

amazingness!!

Kelsey said...

Fantastic! Congratulations!!! I'm so happy that you've finally found your place. How exciting! So now are we going to get wedding planning posts in earnest? :-)

SG said...

Awesome!! Enjoy it!!

Christina said...

Thank you!

Kelsey - how did you know? :-)