Get over your fear. You won’t know what you can do unless you try
Law is my second career, not because it was a mere afterthought, but because I feared I might fail. The turning point in my professional journey came during a conversation with my mentor.
After graduating college with a degree in accounting, I spent five years working as an accountant at a consulting firm. Although I found the role fulfilling, I had a long-standing ambition to pursue a legal career. My reluctance to make this leap stemmed from a deep fear of failure. I doubted my writing skills and worried I might struggle significantly in the legal field.
During one crucial meeting, I shared these concerns with my mentor. Her response was both simple and transformative: “How would you know if you never tried?” She further advised me not to view failure as a setback but as an opportunity to learn and grow. Her encouragement to not let my insecurities hinder my goals was a turning point for me.
Motivated by her advice, I began the process of applying to law schools. The transition was challenging, but my mentor’s advice became a guiding principle throughout my legal career.
As a practicing attorney, I often reflect on how that conversation shaped my approach to professional challenges. I no longer retreat from unfamiliar tasks but view it as an opportunity to develop my skills and build resilience.
Just earlier this year, I faced a significant challenge: a two-week employment discrimination jury trial where I was asked to conduct the direct examination of our expert and two opposing witnesses. Initially, I was terrified, as it was my first-time examining witnesses before a jury. However, I chose to embrace this opportunity to enhance my trial advocacy and examination skills, rather than shy away from it.
My mentor’s guidance has not only directed my career path but also instilled a mindset that continues to drive my professional and personal growth. She taught me that pursuing one’s goals often involves confronting fears and embracing the possibility of failure as an integral part of growth.
