Significant Career Lesson From a Law Student At Stanford Law School
Isabel, a high school teacher and current Stanford Law student, identifies unwavering optimism as a crucial career lesson, noting that "really just having this on feeling optimism that like you can do it" was key to success in teaching and continues to be valuable in law school, even amidst discouragement. This positive outlook, initially perceived as a reason people mistook their teaching level, proved unexpectedly powerful in achieving goals.
Optimism, Resilience, Overcoming Challenges, Motivation, Achieving Goals
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Isabel Mendiola
Law Student
Stanford Law School
Claremont McKenna College 2018
Stanford Law School (JD Forthcoming)
Psychology
Law
Legal
Honors Student, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Maintaining optimism is crucial for success, even when facing discouragement.
2. Positive attitude and belief in one's abilities can lead to significant achievements.
3. Optimism is a valuable asset in both teaching and law school, helping overcome challenges and achieve goals.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
One lesson that has proven significant in my career is that as a teacher, people often assumed I taught elementary school because of my demeanor and because I was younger. Actually, I taught high school, which was quite a thing, but it was wonderful.
People would always comment on my optimism for my students and their abilities. This kind of vibe is likely what led people to think I taught elementary school. However, it was also what led me to some really important successes as a high school teacher.
I don't really think of that optimism as a strength, though it's something really important in the workforce. I learned as a teacher that having an optimistic feeling—that you can do what you want to get done, that the things you want to change can change—is so important.
We often feel this in college or at the beginning of our careers, but can lose it as we gain more experiences. This has helped me in law school; even when feeling discouraged, I try to be intentional about holding onto that optimism. As cheesy as it sounds, it's so important.