How Identity Has Influenced A Law Clerk's Career At A State Government District
Navigating a conservative legal community in Texas as a member of the LGBTQ community required careful consideration of potential employers' values and alignment with their own, a process Erica describes as "figuring out what law firms what judges like who I'd be comfortable with." Ultimately, the career professional found that firms specializing in employment discrimination and civil rights law were more accepting, highlighting the importance of finding an environment where one can "be yourself."
Career Exploration, Job Search, Overcoming Challenges, Workplace Challenges, Unfiltered
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Erica Roberts
Law Clerk
State Government District
University of California, Los Angeles. Graduated 2018
The University of Texas School of Law
Economics
Government & Public Sector, Law
Legal
Greek Life Member, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. Finding a work environment that supports and welcomes people from all communities is crucial.
2. It is important to consider whether a law firm aligns with your values and beliefs, not just their political stances.
3. The interview process is a two-way street; you should assess whether you would feel comfortable and accepted at a workplace, even if it requires considering factors such as your identity or political beliefs.
Transcript
As someone who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community, how has that impacted the way you navigate your career?
I think it's a little complicated, especially being in Texas. I think it's important, even before I realized that I identified with the LGBTQ community, that I am very politically liberal. My politics do have an impact on my opinions and beliefs.
The legal community historically is pretty conservative, and Texas is pretty conservative. So, with all these things in mind, I really had to do some research, figuring out what law firms and judges I'd be comfortable with. It's not necessarily about where someone's politics align; it's more a feeling of issues that they care about and opinions they may have on things going on.
Luckily for me and my career going forward, law firms that practice employment discrimination and civil rights law are going to be pretty open when it comes to having an eyebrow piercing or being bisexual. So, it sucks that these are considerations that I have to think about.
But I think you also get a sense from how people feel in their interview. When people are interviewing you, you forget that you're also interviewing them and whether you might want to work there. Sometimes we're so focused on them liking us that we forget that we have the option to decide whether we like them and whether we want to work for them.
So, I think it's important just to find some place where you can be yourself, where the people you're going to work with are going to support you and welcome you, no matter what community you're part of.