What an Attorney at a Policy Advocacy Nonprofit wishes they had known before entering the legal industry
Lindsey, a career professional with diverse experiences in the military, academia, and law, advises aspiring lawyers to define their values before entering law school, stressing the importance of maintaining one's identity amidst the pressures of a demanding profession. The advice emphasizes resisting the "golden handcuffs" of high-pressure legal jobs, and instead pursuing a career aligned with personal values and a fulfilling lifestyle, acknowledging that this path requires self-reflection and may involve an unconventional route.
Self-Identity, Value Clarification, Alternative Career Paths, Work-Life Balance, Resilience
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Lindsey Kirchhoff
Advocate, Attorney, and Swim Coach
Policy Advocacy Nonprofit
US Air Force Academy
Boston College, Master of Arts in Philosophy; Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, Juris Doctor; Pepperdine Law Straus Institute, Master of Dispute Resolution
Anthropology, Sociology
Law
Operations and Project Management
Veteran, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Know your values and identity before entering a demanding field like law, to avoid losing yourself to the professional mold.
2. Don't be afraid to take an unconventional path. The traditional route isn't always the best or only option, and it is okay to question if the 'golden handcuffs' lifestyle is truly desirable.
3. Your worth is not defined by your accomplishments. Remember your inherent value, independent of external validation, to make career choices that truly align with your well-being and values.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish somebody had told you before you entered the industry?
I did my undergraduate degree when I started at 18 and finished at 22. That was at the Air Force Academy. Then I was an officer in the military.
I was recruited to teach at the Air Force Academy, and they funded a degree in philosophy at Boston College. I completed my master's degree between the ages of 25 and 27. More recently, I went to law school, starting around age 34 or 35.
I've had different periods of education throughout my life. Coming into a law program, or any degree program, it's important to know your values first. This is because these programs try to mold you into a specific way of thinking and living.
It's important to know who you are, your identity, and your values. To figure this out, consider what has really frustrated you in the world. Perhaps it's something that happened in your family, to a friend, or something you've only heard about.
Think about what motivates you to act. Consider situations where you've noticed injustice. This will help you understand what is valuable to you and what matters.
Understanding what matters before entering a program that will shape you allows you to maintain your unique identity. You won't just get absorbed into the popular or typical way of doing things.
The typical path most people take is to go to law school in their early twenties, then get a law job. Many law jobs come with "golden handcuffs," meaning you work so many hours you have little to no time for hobbies, healthy relationships, or rest.
When I was going into law school, I decided that was not what I wanted. From the beginning, I decided I would not take a law job that required that of me. This decision impacted how I approached law school.
I didn't do law school perfectly, but I did it in a way that was very good for me. It may not be ideal for everyone, but I do recommend thinking about what kind of life you want to live eventually, especially if you're considering law school, business school, or medical school.
To be candid, I don't know many attorneys I want to be like. There are very few, but most attorneys I see, I don't want to emulate their lifestyle. So, I've had to take an unconventional route.
This comes with challenges, fear, and self-doubt. There are times I wonder if I should have just followed the typical route, like doing a clerkship. Those are okay things to do, but it's important to know why you're doing them.
Ask yourself what you are really trying to achieve at the core of it. If you believe your worth is tied to achieving a degree or passing the bar, that is not true. You are valuable regardless of your resume, GPA, or accomplishments in hobbies.
The world often tells us we are our accomplishments, but that is a lie. This way of thinking permeates every system in our society. If you can separate yourself from that and adopt a new paradigm, one that says your worth is not contingent on accomplishments, you can thrive.
I believe we are beloved, made in the image of God. But even without faith, you can understand and receive love that is not contingent on anything you do or don't do. When you grasp this truth, everything becomes easier and you become free.
You are no longer beholden to people's expectations and can live as you were created to live. It is difficult, and I by no means have it all figured out. I'm almost 39, and I'm realizing I'm really glad I haven't lost my identity through law school. I want to maintain who I am while learning what I need to learn.