Why Law Students Should Not Overplan Their Careers

Law school has a funny way of forcing students to do the uncomfortable, and my discomfort was realizing that failure is an option.

I’ve always found it easier to blame dissatisfaction in life on anyone but myself; however, in law school, I had to start reflecting and taking accountability. To do this, I had to pinpoint the exact moment everything went wrong—and I realized it was in my planning. 

How I Planned for the Wrong Career

I knew going in that the legal field isn’t for the faint of heart; it’s known to bring anxiety, depression, substance abuse, alcoholism, and many other physical and mental health problems. These symptoms start early in lawyers’ careers, some even in law school.

A common thought to avoid these feelings is to plan for them. I’ve heard people say, “You should prepare for your career in law in the same way you’d prepare for an oral argument—by writing a meticulously researched and comprehensive legal brief.”

I took this advice to heart. I methodically researched specific areas of practice I could specialize in, and before even beginning law school, I determined my field would be family law. While earning my undergraduate degree, I focused on developing my success as a family law attorney. I took every family law job, class, and opportunity provided to further my success in law school and my future career.

My hyper-fixation continued in law school. I joined the family law journal, participated in the family law clinic, and interned with family law judges. I was very well prepared for a job as a family law attorney. However, this much planning might have led to my demise.

Despite My Planning, I Wasn’t Happy

I graduated from law school, passed the bar, and quickly discovered that my career would have nothing to do with family law. Now, I am a contract attorney with no background or specialized knowledge in contracts.

Where did I go wrong? I followed the experts’ advice. I planned my legal career like I’d planned an oral argument.

I now know that by allowing myself to be “comfortable” in law school, I shut myself off from any possible growth I could have achieved. During law school, I closed all doors that didn’t pertain to family law—I even rejected an invitation to join my school’s moot court team because it was out of my comfort zone and didn’t follow “the plan.”

If I had taken every opportunity that came my way, I could have been a well-rounded law student. However, my tunnel vision put me on a path to failure.

Say Yes to Opportunities That Stretch You

After graduating and realizing I didn’t want to be a family law attorney, I had to shift gears and discover what being an attorney meant to me. I learned that one of the best things an attorney can do is be well-rounded for their clients and themselves.

The easiest way to be a well-rounded attorney is to become a well-rounded student. You must take opportunities as they come, even if they push you outside your comfort zone. This is where you’ll grow and learn the most.

I’ve realized I can grow and become “well-rounded” in uncomfortable situations. Law school is uncomfortable for most people, but if you do it right, you can come out on top.

When I switched gears, I used what I didn’t know to my advantage. Some people will close themselves off to new ideas because of what they believe they already “know.” But sometimes, the things you don’t know lead you to more opportunities.

I started to take risks. I quit my job because I knew it wasn’t right for me. I pursued a path I’d never thought of, which has led to the most fulfilling time of my early career.

I also learned from my mistakes. I should have taken every class available to me to learn what was out there. Now, I’m the first to volunteer for an opportunity to learn something new.

Finally, I learned how to embrace discomfort and my failures. Without those experiences, I wouldn’t be where I am today—enjoying a successful career I love.

Overplanning Your Career Can Lead to Disappointment

Being a well-rounded student can lead to a successful career, but it’s not always the easy path that will lead you there. You should take the classes and opportunities that make you wary because that might just lead you to a path you never even imagined.

It’s easy to say that you need to plan your career meticulously. But overplanning can lead to disappointment. The more challenging and rewarding option is to look at every path ahead of you and not yet decide. Keep those opportunities in the back of your mind while still looking ahead.

You might also need to shift your idea of what law school is for. It’s not a place to finalize your career path. It’s a starting point to become well-rounded.

My advice is to try what makes you uncomfortable and make all the mistakes you can in law school because discomfort is just a symptom of growing. The profession or the practice area does not always lead to dissatisfaction. Sometimes, it’s our own meticulous ways.