What A Law Student At Stanford Law Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Legal Industry
Isabel, a Stanford Law student, shared two key insights: the pervasive nature of imposter syndrome, especially for women and people of color in the field ("it feels really real when you feel it"), and the unexpected value of networking, highlighting how a past babysitting job led to a summer position – emphasizing that "you just never know who you're gonna meet."
Imposter Syndrome, Networking, Professional Development, Building Relationships, Unexpected Opportunities
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. Imposter syndrome is common among law students and lawyers, especially women and people of color. It's important to remember that this feeling is not unique and to talk to others about it.
2. Networking is crucial for career success. Unexpected connections can lead to opportunities, so it's important to always be kind, hardworking, and act in a way you're proud of.
3. Professional networks extend beyond formal settings. Building relationships with people in various aspects of your life (even those seemingly unrelated to your career goals) can unexpectedly lead to significant opportunities.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
I think there are two things. One is that imposter syndrome is really real in law school. I imagine it's probably the case as a lawyer as well.
Being a woman in the industry, a person of color, I'm probably more susceptible to imposter syndrome. But I think everybody has it. I don't know what type of person wouldn't have imposter syndrome.
When you feel it, it feels really real. You feel like you shouldn't be here, or that all of your classmates are smarter than you. That is not true. That's something you can talk to your classmates and professors about.
On a more personal note, I think that's really important. When you're in the depths of imposter syndrome, you feel like you're the only person feeling it.
The second thing, on a more practical note, is that you never know who you're going to meet. So it's important to always be kind, hard-working, and act in a way that you feel proud of.
I got my current summer job through a family I babysat for a year ago. It was a random week-long thing because I needed a paycheck, and the dad ended up being a great resource.
We sometimes think of professional networks as, you know, people always talking about how someone got a job through a connection. But you never know who you're going to meet. Don't be afraid to reach out to those people.